Free Agency Class: Where Do Cowboys Rank Among NFL's Best?
The Dallas Cowboys have several needs that have to be rectified on the roster this offseason, whether that be through the draft or free agency, in what is the most pressurized time in recent memory. Dallas can't afford to stand still.
With the Cowboys having some notable free agents, CBS Sports has decided to rank each team's "top" free agents against the rest of the NFL.
Dallas, with Tyron Smith, Tyler Biadasz, Tony Pollard, Stephon Gilmore, and Jayron Kearse, finds itself ranked third, behind the Kansas City Chiefs (2) and the Baltimore Ravens (1).
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"This is a top-heavy free agent class on a talented Cowboys roster," CBS Sports writes. "Does Pollard have the same value as he did last year? How much is an oft-injured Smith and a 33-year-old Gilmore worth? Biadasz should be one of the top centers on the market and Kearse is a bon afide starter at safety awaiting a huge payday. With the Dak Prescott contract being inevitable, the Cowboys roster may look significantly different in 2024."
Let's dissect that.
Pollard, while he surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the second consecutive year, ultimately didn't deliver as the lead back in Mike McCarthy's offense and seems certain to play elsewhere in 2024 due to the Cowboys not wanting to pay upward of $10 million APY.
Stephon Gilmore showed at times last year that he still can play at an All-Pro level and with his shoulder surgery ruling him out until August, despite him wanting to rest, his return is up in the air.
As for Tyron, he showed that he’s still an All-Pro level despite his injury issues, while Biadasz developed into a solid center for the Cowboys over the last couple of seasons but could easily find work elsewhere.
Then there's Kearse, who as a member of Dan Quinn's defense, didn't have the best of seasons last year. He registered 1.5 sacks, four tackles for loss and three quarterback hits from his safety position, but does have quality that teams are looking for (hello, Washington). It is unknown if new coordinator Mike Zimmer sees a place for Kearse in his system.
So the Cowboys' free agent class does have some talent with multiple All-Pros and Pro Bowlers and should all leave via free agency, there will be a lot of roster holes to fill.
In what is looming as a boom-or-bust offseason due to the pressure that is heaped on McCarthy, Dak Prescott, and the coaching groups, losing so much talent could prove to be the straw that breaks the camels back when Dallas was thought to be "all in."
The Cowboys have the potential to implode or explode next season and what transpires during free agency and the draft will give us a better indication of which way the scales will be tilted.
But for now, things are delicately poised.
