Cowboys Grades: 'Aggressive' Offseason Roster Moves Rated - Trades, Free Agency & Cap Space
FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys have been relatively active in free agency this season, and it's sort of a departure from previous seasons in recent memory.
Owner Jerry Jones' staff has added some key contributors to positions that will improve the team over last season. And isn't that the point?
With holes on the roster, and some aging players in other spots, Jones and Company have been diligent in improving a team that lost to in the Divisional Round of the playoffs last season.
Dallas has one of the top grades for offseason moves per CBS Sports, as the media outlet outlined why.
New Acquisitions
WR Brandin Cooks
Grade: A
Contract: Two years, $20M
This was the Cowboys' home run move that they desperately needed to make in order to help get Dak Prescott back on track. Cooks, who will turn 30 during the 2023 season, still provides plenty of speed and production as he's had over 1,000 yards receiving with all four teams ... that he's played for in his nine-year career.
CB Stephon Gilmore
Grade: A
Contract: One year, $9.9M
The Dallas Cowboys number two cornerback position opposite Trevon Diggs was a mess last season. ... As a result, the Cowboys allowed 15 receiving touchdowns and a 126.8 passer rating against wide receivers when in man coverage, both the worst in each category in the entire NFL.
RB Ronald Jones
Grade: B
Contract: One year, $1.2M
Just six days after releasing the franchise's No. 3 leading rusher in Ezekiel Elliott, the Dallas Cowboys signed a younger running back with less tread on his tires in the 25-year-old Ronald Jones. ... He will have the opportunity to compete to be Pollard's backup since Dallas could easily draft a running back in the upcoming draft. A smart, "cover your bases" signing for the Cowboys.
OT Chumu Edoga
Grade: B
Contract: One year, $1.2M
Given Tyron Smith's (32 years old) advancing age and that he missed 13 games in 2022 because of injury, Edoga could be a decent backup in case of injury to him or any of the others Cowboys' offensive line starters.
LS Trent Sieg
Grade: B
Contract: One year, $1.2M
On Monday, the Cowboys lost long-snapper Jake McQuaide to the Detroit Lions. By Wednesday, they found their guy in Trent Sieg. The soon-to-be 28-year-old has been the Raiders' since entering the NFL in 2018. ... Sieg has a chance to perhaps lock down the gig for a number seasons given most NFL teams look for stability at the position.
We will say that "B'' grades for two guys in Jones and Edoga who literally might never play a down here seem ... generous. But given that their cap impact is essentially zero?
We certainly like that part.
The Cowboys have also signed several of their own this offseason, filling some crucial roles on offense and defense. Coming soon, we'll discuss those moves and how they impact the team.
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