The Dallas Cowboys are looking ahead to free agency much sooner than expected, and these three players are ones they should definitely keep an eye on.
It’s unfortunately the same old song and dance for the Dallas Cowboys yet again, that being a great regular season followed by a massive letdown in the playoffs.
Much like in previous years, the Cowboys are now left to ponder how they can finally get over the hump. The next logical step would be to add in free agency, but that’s easier said than done for a couple reasons.
First, the Cowboys are already in the red, being more than $11 million over next year’s salary cap according to Spotrac. Second, this is shaping up to be a pivotal offseason for Dallas, with Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, Micah Parsons and more due for massive extensions. While those extensions could bring cap hits down in the short term, they would likely prevent the Cowboys from handing out big, multi-year deals in free agency.
As such, expect the Cowboys to go for smaller fish on the market, although no one should entirely rule out Jerry Jones making a splash or two. With that said, who should Dallas keep an eye on as free agency approaches.
1. RB Derrick Henry
Henry, a two-time rushing champion with the Tennessee Titans, is by far the biggest name on this list, and one of the biggest in free agency as a whole. The 30-year-old may not be a spring chicken any more, but with 1,167 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns this season, he proved he can still play at a high level.
Henry gave an impassioned speech after his probable final game in Tennessee, and with Dallas being connected to him since before the trade deadline, it seems like a natural fit.
With Ezekiel Elliott gone and Tony Pollard assuming the role of top running back, the Cowboys’ ground game took a noticeable step back. They still ran the ball well enough, finishing 14th in the league with 112.9 rushing yards per game, but still, not as strong as the year before.
Henry gave an impassioned speech after his probable final game in Tennessee, and with Dallas being connected to him since before the trade deadline, it seems like a natural fit.
With Ezekiel Elliott gone and Tony Pollard assuming the role of top running back, the Cowboys’ ground game took a noticeable step back. They still ran the ball well enough, finishing 14th in the league with 112.9 rushing yards per game, but still, not as strong as the year before.
Part of Dallas’ struggles against the run came due to a lack of depth at off-ball linebacker. Leighton Vander Esch and rookie DeMarvion Overshown both missed the majority of the season with injury, with the latter missing all 17 games. Damone Clark played well through the entire season, but he can’t be the only viable option at the position.
Enter Patrick Queen, a 2020 first-round pick who did not have his fifth-year option picked up by the Baltimore Ravens. That decision doesn’t look so great in hindsight, as Queen notched a career-high 133 total tackles while earning second-team All-Pro honors. With the Ravens already paying fellow linebacker Roquan Smith last offseason, it seems likely that Queen goes to market.
The former LSU linebacker would certainly command a hefty contract, with a projected market value of $18.5 million annually. However, this could be the one area the Cowboys are willing to splurge seeing as how run defense was arguably their greatest weakness this season.
Other options at linebacker include Devin White and Lavonte David of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Both would likely come cheaper than Queen, and the latter could bring a nice veteran presence to the locker room.
3. DT Grover Stewart
Stewart is far from the flashiest name in free agency, but he could be just what the Cowboys need to solve their lackluster run defense.
The Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle has quietly become one of the best run-stuffers in the league. According to Pro Football Focus, Stewart finished the season with 24 tackles for a defensive stop despite playing in just 11 games. Even though he was suspended due to a violation of the league’s PED policy, he has been remarkably sturdy throughout his career as he didn’t miss a single game in the previous four seasons.
Additionally, Stewart could be a good mentor for 2023 first-round pick Mazi Smith, who had his share of growing pains in his rookie season. As a veteran run-stuffer, Stewart would be the perfect player to learn from.
