Dallas Cowboys on the verge of losing another top transfer target as the super prolific player has made public his intensions to sign a monumental deal with….
The 2023–24 Dallas Cowboys season was again another successful one. Mike McCarthy’s offense settled into a groove towards the end, Dak Prescott remained healthy, and Dallas’ defense proved to be among the best in the league.
The Cowboys were virtually untouchable at home, and in the last moments, they overtook the Philadelphia Eagles as the best team in the NFC East.
Unfortunately, the NFC Wild Card Round came to an abrupt conclusion on Sunday at AT&T Stadium with a 48-32 loss to the seventh-seeded Green Bay Packers.
The Cowboys ought to be back in the running for the playoffs the next season because so many of their star players have long-term contracts. However, McCarthy, team president Jerry Jones, CEO Stephen Jones, and vice president of player personnel Will McClay will need to put in some work in order to rebuild or improve a roster worthy of the playoffs.
Now that Dallas’ postseason run is coming to an end, let’s examine what the team will likely do in the draft and free agency.
First of Three Free Agents
Cowboys overtime Tyrone Smith
Cowboys overtime Tyrone SmithGetty Images/Rich Barnes
No Limits on Free Agents
DE Dorance Armstrong
Biadasz, C. Tyler
Chuma Edoga, OL
DE Dante Fowler Jr.
DT Gallimore Neville
Stephon Gilmore, CB
CB Goodwin, C.J.
Jonathan Hankins, DT
CB Noah Igbinoghene
Jayron Kearse, S.
Jourdan Lewis, CB
RB Tony Pollard
Trent Sieg, LS
OT Tyrone Smith
Exclusive/Restricted Rights Free Agents
Rico Dowdle, RB
The Cowboys’ experience with free agency in 2024 might not be entirely simple. If McCray looks for work as a general manager somewhere, Dallas might lose him. However, ESPN’s Dan Graziano reports that Dallas will “likely spend big” to keep him.
In addition to possible front-office reorganizations, the Cowboys might need to negotiate a new deal with Prescott. He deserves a raise after a Pro Bowl season and is about to enter the final year of his current contract.
It was reported in December by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network that the Cowboys and Prescott were anticipated to negotiate a long-term contract during the offseason. Given that Prescott will have a $59.5 million salary cap charge and the Cowboys are expected to be near the salary cap, a reorganization will probably be necessary.
The offensive line, which may be without starters Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz as well as versatile backup Chuma Edoga, will need some work for Dallas. Smith’s decision might be especially challenging.
When healthy, Smith has played at a level worthy of the Hall of Fame, but in recent years, he has found it difficult to stay on the field. He turned 33 in December.
In addition, the Cowboys must determine whether to keep cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who was added in an offseason trade and went on to start for the team full-time. Other defensive starters include Johnathan Hankins and Jayron Kearse, and Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler Jr. played important supporting roles.
Tony Pollard and Rico Dowdle, the Cowboys’ two best running backs, might possibly go down.
Dallas should want to retain as many of its main players as possible, but that might need some cap gymnastics. In the event that McCray decides to go elsewhere, it will be intriguing to watch if the Cowboys alter their offseason strategy.
Prospective Trade/Free-Agent Targets 2 OF 3
Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen
Ravens linebacker Patrick QueenGetty Images/Ryan Kang
The Cowboys have recently added budget pieces in free agency, pursued advantageous trade transactions, and re-signed key players as part of their summer strategy. For instance, Dallas selected Gilmore and wide receiver Brandin Cooks with their third-round draft choice this past offseason.
Dallas might be interested in players whose contracts are about to expire or are unmanageable if teams are trying to get out from under them. If they make it to the trade market, Dallas should be keeping an eye out for a pass-rusher like Joey Bosa or a running back like Alvin Kamara.
The Cowboys would likely prefer to spend heavily on their own players before pursuing big-money targets in free agency. If Dallas chooses to replace Gilmore with a top-tier young cornerback like L’Jarius Sneed or Jaylon Johnson, then this may be different.
Given the Cowboys’ patchy run defense (Dallas ranked 16th in rushing yards allowed), a premier linebacker such as Lavonte David or Patrick Queen would also become a highly sought-after target.
In actuality, though, Dallas most likely won’t have a significant impact on the first round of free agency. A guy like defensive lineman Teair Tart, center Aaron Brewer, safety Jordan Fuller, guard Jonah Jackson, and running back D’Onta Foreman should be more appealing to the Cowboys in the second and third rounds.
As has been the case the past few years, expect the Cowboys’ biggest needs to be met in the draft.
Draft Objectives 3 OF 3
ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: On the video board during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, is the emblem of the Dallas Cowboys. (Image sourced from Getty Images by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)
Getty Images via Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire
Dallas’ ability and willingness to hold onto players like Smith, Biadasz, Hankins, and Armstrong will probably be the driving forces behind their selection plan.
An offensive lineman might be the most valuable pick for the Cowboys in 2024 given the composition of the draft class. In its most recent 2024 big board, the Bleacher Report Scouting Department listed 11 linemen among their top 32 prospects.
It could make sense to trade up for a tackle like JC Latham of Alabama, either to help replace Smith or to improve the right tackle position, where Terence Steele has been a liability.
Brandon Thorn of the B/R Scouting Department commented of Latham, “He needs added patience to counterbalance his attacking play style, but he has the tools, skill set and runway to start in year one with Pro Bowl potential within his first contract.”
At the end of Round 1 or early on Day 2, Dallas might also take into consideration interior linemen like Zach Frazier of West Virginia or Jackson Powers-Johnson of Oregon. The Cowboys may decide to move Tyler Smith from guard to tackle in order to replace him.
On Day 2, Dallas will probably be interested in defensemen like Utah edge-rusher Jonah Elliss, Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, and Clemson lineman Ruke Orhorhoro. Due to their dearth of linebacker depth, the Cowboys may need to replenish their defensive line.
Dallas may also be interested in a defensive back early on, depending on how free agency plays out, such as Georgia cornerback Kamari Lassiter or Minnesota safety Tyler Nubin.
The Cowboys don’t have many offensive needs, save from the offensive line. If Pollard leaves, the biggest will be at running back. The Cowboys should be considering RB possibilities like Trey Benson of Florida State, Braelon Allen of Wisconsin, and Audric Estimé of Notre Dame.
The Cowboys shouldn’t anticipate finding much in the later stages of the draft. They don’t have picks in the fourth, fifth, or sixth rounds as a result of trades. Dallas gets to work with two seventh-round picks in addition to its own selections in the first three rounds.
