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Roster-building is never-ending, so the Cowboys are still working the phones.
The Cowboys just added seven new players in the NFL draft and then went out and signed at least 15 undrafted free agents. That’s a lot of new blood added to the roster. But if you thought they were through adding players- well, you already knew they weren’t done. Roster-building in the NFL is now a 24/7/365 experience and the Cowboys are still in the mix for adding a few veteran free agents.
How do we know? Stephen Jones told us so.
9.) There could be more veteran free agency additions. Most of the roster is in place, but Stephen Jones would not rule out adding some other veteran players to the mix.
”I don’t think you ever rule it out,” he said. “We’ve certainly got our eye on a few guys that we’ll look at. But the good news is that going into the draft, we felt good about our football team. Coming out of the draft, we feel great about our football team. If we can improve it, we’ll feel even better about our team, and that’s the way we’ll look at it as we move forward.
”We certainly are open-minded and will continue to be open-minded on what it will take to improve this football team. … We’ll keep our eyes open. I actually have had communications already with some guys that could give us some veteran experience that might help these young guys.”
Jones wasn’t going to offer up and specific names or even positions that these potential free agent signings play, so we’ll just have to speculate for ourselves. Todd Archer did some of that already.
What’s next for the Cowboys’ pass rush?
If the question can’t be about when quarterback Dak Prescott will sign a multiyear contract, it has to be about the pass rush. It was an issue before the draft, and the Cowboys did not address the spot until taking Bradlee Anae in the fifth round. Though Anae had 13 sacks in Utah in 2019, it’s not realistic to ask a Day 3 pick to be an influence. Yes, Aldon Smith and Randy Gregory could be reinstated, but Smith has not played since 2015 and Gregory has played 16 games in the past four years. Cowboys VP Stephen Jones said the team has reached out to the agents for some veteran players, but he did not specify the position. Finding a backup offensive tackle and perhaps a safety also could be options, but the pass rush is more pressing. — Todd Archer
So let’s do a little speculation of our own. We’ll come up with some positions they may add to, and then list some potential candidates.
We’ll start with Archer’s top one, the pass rush.
EDGE - This is one position where there is some real talent still out there. But, the top guys are apparently holding out for a lot of money and the Cowboys are likely to be bargain-shoppers.
Top guys: Jadeveon Clowney, Everson Griffen, Markus Golden, Clay Matthews, Cameron Wake, Jabaal Sheard
Safety: The Cowboys added Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, but as has been noted many times, both Clinton-Dix and Xavier Woods will be free agents in 2021. Mike McCarthy hinted that some of the current corners could move over, but maybe they jut sign one instead.
Top guys: Morgan Burnett, Clayton Geathers, Tony Jefferson, Reshad Jones, Eric Reid
*The Texans just cut Tashaun Gipson, so throw his name in the mix.
Backup tackle - This has been an under-discussed position. Right now, the Cowboys have a glut of interior guys, but the top backup tackle is Brandon Knight. He played well in limited action last year, but are the Cowboys ready to rely on him? They could shift a couple of the interior guys out there if needed, but maybe free agency is the best route.
Top guys: Kelvin Beachum, Jason Peters, Demar Dotson, Cordy Glenn, Jordan Mills
Tight end: There was certainly speculation the Cowboys could add a tight end in the draft. In the end, they didn’t, so maybe a free agent is in the works.
Top guys: Charles Clay, Jordan Reed, Luke Stocker, Delanie Walker, Ed Dickson
Running back: Sure, the Cowboys are set with Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard, but behind them the cupboard is pretty bare, with Jordan Chunn or FB Lamize Olawale. Adding a guy for camp at least makes sense.
Top guys: Devonta Freeman, Frank Gore, Carlos Hyde, LeSean McCoy, Lamar Miller, Chris Thompson, Ty Montgomery
Some other positions you could make a case for, even though the draft brought in some major help.
Cornerback: Trevon Diggs and Reggie Robertson change the calculus somewhat, but we know that the Cowboys were interested in Dre Kirkpatrick before the draft. With Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis becoming free agents after the season, maybe another veteran corner wouldn’t hurt to ease the rookies in.
Top guys: Prince Amukamara, Eli Apple, Darqueze Dennard, Logan Ryan, Dre Kirkpatrick, Javien Elliott
Wide receiver: The CeeDee Lamb bombshell truly changed the makeup of the receiver group, but behind the top three it’s pretty thin. You can make cases for some of the current guys as the fourth and fifth receiver, but a free agent might be an upgrade.
Top guys: Taylor Gabriel, Rashard Higgins, Paul Richardson, Demaryius Thomas, Jermain Kearse
So what’cha got BTB? Any names interest you here? Maybe you have your own free agent that you’d like to see Dallas sign, or maybe a position we didn’t cover here. Hit the comments and let us know.
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