Cowboys Still Shopping? Clowney & Top 10 NFL Free Agents Who Fit
FRISCO - As we write this, the Dallas Cowboys figure to be pretty tight on salary cap room. But that number is, as Jerry Jones would say, “fungible,” if the right guy at the right price emerges.
Dallas has already used free agency to upgrade and to fill holes. It’s an impressive list. Is there more than can be done?
Here, a top 10 of names that remain on the NFL Free Agency shelf that can fit in Dallas:
1 JADEVEON CLOWNEY - Clowney opened March 8 free agency letting it be known that he wanted to "break the bank'' - meaning $20 million a year. At that time, CowboysSI.com broke the story on the Cowboys interest level.
"No,'' we were told. And then a pause.
"Unless the price comes way down.'
Now we know that Clowney has worked through an injury situation, but has the price "come down''? From $20 mil APY? From $18 mil APY? Is there some juncture at which Clowney - once upon a time the No. 1 pick in an NFL Draft - will accept a one-year/career-rebuild deal?
The Cowboys, I'm told, have continued to stay out of this sweepstakes. Yet Clowney-to-Dallas conversation makes sense ... as long as fans and media use our framework in consideration of the concept. Which is, "No - unless the price comes way down.''
2 JASON PETERS - He’s 38 and could be headed to the Hall of Fame. This is a real live starting offensive tackle.
Peters is a Texas native who played at Arkansas. Meanwhile, Dallas just signed Cam Erving as a backup O-line helper. Maybe Peters wants to start somewhere. But as a swing tackle? He'd be a primo Cowboys helper.
3 DAMON HARRISON - "Snacks'' is another Texan, and I can tell you he sure wishes he could sign on with the Cowboys - or at least he felt that way before Dallas instead turned to Dontari Poe.
So let me try this on you: Who is playing behind Poe in the Dallas O-line as a 1-tech/nose tackle/run-stuffer? Is that person superior to "Snacks''?
4 MIKE DANIELS - Like Harrison, Daniels is a nose tackle in his 30's who played at Detroit. "Snacks'' is a DFW guy. That's a connection. But Daniels? He's a Mike McCarthy guy, having been drafted by Green Bay in 2012.
5 CLAY MATTHEWS - The Cowboys swear they're set at linebacker. Meanwhile, Matthews is, I'm told, of a "West Coast mindset''; he'd like to land there. Still, this is another Green Bay fella who could add playmaking depth in Dallas.
6 EVERSON GRIFFEN - The standout Vikings defensive end recently told NFL.com of his struggle toward sobriety. He's 32. He's accustomed to making $14 million a year. The Cowboys have told me "no'' here. Or, "not high on our radar,'' to be polite.
I assume Aldon Smith and Randy Gregory - hopeful bookend candidates to DeMarcus Lawrence - are part of the reason for that "no.'' And maybe the aforementioned baggage, too.
Again, there is some price point at which time Dallas and other teams are obliged to take a second look. But you now know Dallas' answer upon first look.
7 LARRY WARFORD - New Orleans just let go of the perennial Pro Bowler. The Saints save more than $7 mil against the cap, but they lose a beast of a guard. With all due respect to the left guard candidates on the Dallas roster, Warford is better. ... but also has every reason to look for a payday outside Dallas' range.
8 RON LEARY - Ah, so Warford might be expensive - while my guy Leary, the former Cowboys tough guy, will be less so. He's free from Denver and the Cowboys aren't knocking down his door. But he's just 31, and again:
If you lined Leary up against Williams/McGovern/Looney ... who do you think would win?
9 DRE KIRKPATRICK - This was a real consideration before Dallas signed Daryl Worley to help at cornerback. Kirkpatrick is a long-time Bengals starter; he can still play. I should also mention Logan Ryan, the former Patriots and Titans standout. He must want a fortune, because he's still on the shelf.
10 DEZ BRYANT - I know, maybe I'm biased. But "The 88 Club'' has moved on with its welcome to CeeDee Lamb and I recognize this isn't going to happen in Dallas unless a glaring need (injury) pops up. And even then, look at the other receivers still on the street entering the weekend: Taylor Gabriel, Josh Gordon, Demaryius Thomas, Chester Rodgers, our own Tavon Austin and - if you want a dangerous pass-catcher - Delanie Walker the tight end.
Bottom line on more adds: The Cowboys can find the money - especially if a bit of time marches on and this crew continues to find this existing as a buyers' market.
