The Cowboys may still try to sign free agents, despite what the general public believes.
For fans, the Dallas Cowboys’ approach to free agency is like an itchy itch that won’t go away. You want to take action because you know it upsets you, yet the answer seems just out of reach. Every year, it’s known that the Cowboys will not be eager to provide large contracts to well-known free agents. However, it is infuriating to watch division competitors add significant players to their roster in the opening few days of free agency while the Cowboys are concentrating on other matters. You may be confident, though, that the organization will eventually acquire some players and reach an agreement with outside free agents.
Here are five free agents that the team may sign in the upcoming offseason; spoiler alert: many of them may be within the Cowboys’ budget for a similar reason.
Connor Williams
One may say that Connor Williams Williams was playing out of position when he was a player in Dallas. During his tenure in Dallas, he struggled with injuries and penalties. Williams, nevertheless, switched to center after leaving and started every 17 games for the Miami Dolphins in 2022 and nine in 2023.
The Washington Commanders stole the starting center position from the Cowboys, and if they had to start over today, Brock Hoffman would be the one in Dallas. Williams is an accomplished player in the center of the line who might pose a threat to Hoffman. Williams has experimented with guard and center in addition to playing left tackle since his All-American days at Texas.
Williams is coming off an ACL injury that casts doubt on his availability for the opening of the season, so signing him should be cheap and fit perfectly into the team’s budget.
Steven Nelson
Nelson would be a fantastic addition to the Cowboys’ team. He has played as a boundary corner and in the slot before. The Cowboys safeguard themselves if something were to happen to their cornerbacks during the season with him along. Stephon Gilmore, who the Cowboys acquired through trade last summer, and the team have not yet reached an agreement on a new deal.
With Gilmore sidelined and Trevon Diggs mending from an ACL injury, the team is in dire need of a cornerback in the interim. For the last six seasons, Nelson has been a model of consistency, starting at least 15 games per season. With four interceptions in the previous season, he tied a career high for the Houston Texans. Nelson recently signed a $9 million, two-year contract with the Texans. That price range should be his target market.
JK Dobbins
After losing both Tony Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott in the last two seasons, the Cowboys are in need of a running back. Due of his injury history, JK Dobbins would provide the Cowboys with a starting-caliber running at a hefty price. Although Dobbins has missed three seasons due to injuries, his brilliance cannot be denied. Even though he is only 25 years old, Dobbins averaged six yards per run in his debut season.
Recall 2015, when the Cowboys let star running back DeMarco Murray to sign a free agent contract. They signed talented but frequently injured Darren McFadden in his place. McFadden continued to be the team’s top rusher. Another player who might be given the appropriate opportunity and, more crucially, a budget that shields the team from a dangerous investment is Dobbins. It also allows the Cowboys to invest a respectable amount of draft cash on a running back on day two of the draft, if Dobbins is reasonably priced.
Michael Thomas
The Cowboys need a wide receiver after Michael Gallup was released. Gallup has been a shadow of his former self since suffering his ACL injury, and the team finally let the receiver go this week. Arguably the most accomplished veteran on our list, Michael Thomas has won multiple league awards, including three Pro Bowls, two first-team All-Pro selections, and Offensive Player of the Year in 2019. We acknowledge that this is more of a dream than a reality because this history probably translates into a bigger salary than Dallas typically pays out at this point.
A Thomas acquisition would place him in front of promising prospects Jalen Tolbert and Jalen Brooks, and behind them, a combo of Brandin Cooks and CeeDee Lamb. The former New Orleans Saints wide receiver has only appeared in 20 games since 2020 due to injuries. Think of this as more of an in-depth exploration of Thomas throughout the latter portion of the offseason. Thomas’s demands and alternatives could get him closer to Dallas’ terms in terms of price by the time he closes a deal with other suitors in the coming weeks.
Calais Campbell
Calais Campbell is one of those players who, on the defensive end, always seems to find success. The fact that he was a part of the Atlanta Falcons’ defense-making success is no coincidence. The Cowboys could use more leadership from veterans like Campbell, who is well-respected and provides leadership to the table. This summer, the team lost some depth on the defensive line, so Campbell might be useful in the rotation.
Because of his versatility, Campbell can play in a number of alignments, such as defensive end or occasionally three-tech defensive tackle. Despite his advanced age, the enormous defender (6’8, 282 lbs.) was a six-time Pro Bowler and recorded 6.5 sacks last season. He agreed to a $7 million, one-year contract with the Falcons last season. Given his abilities, influence, and leadership, a deal akin to Campbell’s would strengthen the defensive line.
