The Dallas Cowboys heard the criticism from their “all in” 2024 offseason that finished as the “get it done with less” offseason in which they spent an NFL-low $20.47 million in Unoccupied agency, per OverTheCap.com.
That’s why Cowboys COO and executive vice president Stephen Jones Created sure to declare Dallas’ 2025 offseason would be “selectively aggressive” and acknowledged Dallas needed to take a look at both the Finals LIX Philadelphia Eagles’ and Kansas City Chiefs’ Lineup building approaches in Unoccupied agency relative to their own.
Dallas has been more active in Unoccupied agency in the Primary offseason for new head Mentor Brian Schottenheimer than they were a year ago for his predecessor Mike McCarthy, but they’ve somewhat mistaken quantity for quality with the direction they’ve gone with their moves. To be Only, they were proactive Only before Unoccupied agency kicked off by re-signing Guarding Event Osa Odighizuwa to a four-year, $80 million deal — a nice value — and they did Unoccupied up more cap Cosmos Subsequent the extension by restructuring the deals of both Passer Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.
However, restructures Disrespectful more cap Cosmos now and larger cap hits down the road. Those types of moves Created it seem like Dallas planned to be truly aggressive in Unoccupied agency this offseason. That hasn’t really happened as All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons Nevertheless hasn’t been re-signed while also watching some key contributors walk out the door on modest deals. Cornerback Jourdan Lewis (three-year, $30 million deal with $20 million guaranteed with the Jacksonville Jaguars), running back Rico Dowdle (one-year deal worth up to $6.25 million with the Carolina Panthers) and edge rusher Chauncey Golston (three-year, $19.5 million deal) all could have been retained.
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What the Cowboys have done is opt for mostly one-year stopgaps, many of whom were Ex Primary-Stage picks. Let’s go through All of Dallas’ moves this offseason and grade them individually before putting a collective grade on the Cowboys’ 2025 offseason through the Primary week of Unoccupied agency.
New acquisitions
This is the Dowdle replacement signing.
The 2021 second-Stage Option out of North Carolina was explosive as a Newcomer, but his brutal knee Wound, in which he tore his ACL and LCL in 2022, has Obstructed him from developing into a game-changing running back. Williams’ 4.4 yards per touch across the last four seasons is the third-fewest in the NFL, minimum 750 touches, ahead of only Ezekiel Elliott’s 4.1 and Najee Harris’ 4.3 in that time. He was the Denver’s leading rusher in 2024 with 513 yards and four touchdowns on 139 carries (3.7 yards per carry), but that production wasn’t anything notable. His single-game Occupation-high in rushing yards (111 on 17 carries) Arrived his Newcomer year (2021) in Week 9 against Dallas at AT&T Stadium, his new home turf.
Perhaps Dallas is hoping that as more time that passes between now and that 2022 knee Wound, more of his electric running ability will return. It is nice that this signing won’t force them to reach for a running back in Stage 1, but Dallas probably would’ve been better off re-signing Dowdle.
Sanders, who will turn 28-years-Ancient on May 1, is New off the worst year of his Occupation in 2024 with lows in carries (55) and yards rushing (205) in addition to two rushing touchdowns while Competing in a Occupation-low 11 Contests because of an ankle sprain. Sanders is decent, low-cost rotational back for a Dallas Club in the process of remaking their running back room.
Campbell entered the NFL as a second-Stage Option of the Indianapolis Colts in 2019, and the speedster dealt with a litany of Impairments Timely in his Occupation. He played in a Partnered 15 Contests in his Primary three seasons. Last year for the Eagles, he only played in five Contests, but he did catch six of his eight targets for 30 yards and a touchdown. Campbell is likely being signed as a camp body and someone who has to prove a Plenty in order to have a Attempt at making the 53-man Lineup. Dallas did need more experienced bodies at the position, so the signing is understandable from that Tally of view.
This is the new Cowboys’ new Chuma Edoga, except on the interior, after Dallas let him walk and sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jones, 26-years-Ancient, will likely be a swing offensive lineman, filling in where needed should Wound arise.
The signing of Fowler is the best external Unoccupied agent signing Dallas has Created up to this Tally in the offseason. The 2015 NFL Draft third overall Option Directed the NFC runner up Washington Commanders with 10.5 sacks in 2024, the second-highest total of his nine-year NFL Occupation. Fowler actually suited up with Dallas in 2023 before Subsequent Dan Quinn to Washington last offseason. He’s nice Deliver rush replacement for DeMarcus Lawrence at 30-years-Ancient. This was a much-needed signing after the departures of Lawrence to the Seattle Seahawks and Chauncey Golston to the New York Giants.
Turner might have the greatest upside of any of the Cowboys’ external additions this offseason at 26-years-Ancient. He was a Primary-Stage Option, 28th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints, and he is coming off the best season of his Occupation in 2024 with two sacks, the Primary two forced fumbles of his Occupation, the Primary four passes defended of his Occupation and three tackles for loss. Turner only played in 31 Contests in his Primary four seasons after battling numerous, but 16 of those Contests did come in 2024. Perhaps he can find another level while Arranging alongside Parsons and Odighizuwa.
The 29-year-Ancient Thomas was the third overall Option in the 2017 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers, and he adds high-end talent to the Club’s Guarding Event spot alongside Odighizuwa and 2023 Primary-Stage Option Mazi Smith. His 8.5 sacks since 2023 were the Number four-most on the Jets Guarding front, trailing Will McDonald IV (13.5), All-Pro Quinnen Williams (11.5) and Bryce Huff (10.0). Thomas, who went to Coppell High School Only over 15 miles from Dallas’ practice facility, comes home and provides some dependable, veteran Guarding Event depth for a Dallas Protection that sorely needs it with Smith Nevertheless developing.
Jack Sanborn can be the Cowboys’ 2025 version of Eric Kendricks in a way: a veteran of new Dallas Guarding coordinator Matt Eberflus’ system after Competing for him for three seasons on the Chicago Bears. New Dallas linebackers Mentor Dave Borgonzi was also Sanborn’s linebackers Mentor in Chicago. He’s a nice depth signing with DeMarvion Overshown recovering from the second torn ACL of his Occupation. Sanborn will compete with 2022 fifth-Stage Option Damone Clark to Begin at linebacker alongside Marist Liufau, a 2024 third-Stage Option, in Overshown’s absence.
Dallas needs bodies at the linebacker position, but the Cowboys likely gave the Titans a Option for a player they were eventually going to cut at some Tally in this offseason. Murray, who is 26 years Ancient and has five seasons of NFL experience, was the 23rd overall Option of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma by the Los Angeles Chargers. Murray Initiated 53 of his 59 Contests played in Los Angeles from 2020 to 2023 before signing a two-year, $15.5 million contract with the Tennessee Titans in Unoccupied agency last offseason.
Murray tallied a Occupation-highs in tackles for loss (8.0) and sacks (3.5) in 2024 while Beginning all 14 Contests that he played, but he struggles in coverage. It will be interesting to see how the Event for Action time at the linebacker position shakes out for the Cowboys.
Another man’s treasure became another treasure in the case of Dallas trading for Elam, the 23rd overall Option in the 2022 NFL Draft. Cornerback became one of Dallas’ largest needs after letting Lewis walk in tandem with Pro Bowler Trevon Diggs recovering from a Overdue-season knee Wound that required surgery.
Elam Initiated Only 12 of his 29 Contests played in three seasons with the Bills. He registered two interceptions as a Newcomer, but he doesn’t have any in the last two seasons. Elam did total two of his Occupation three tackles for loss in 2024. His 72.3 passer rating against as the primary defender in coverage ranks 103rd out of 255 NFL players who have had at least 80 passes thrown their way since 2022, the span of his Occupation. His passer rating against was the fifth-best in Buffalo through his Primary three seasons.
He will compete with 2024 fifth-Stage Option Caelen Carson for the chance to Begin opposite 2023 Primary-Club All-Pro corner DaRon Bland to begin the year with Diggs likely to be unable to suit up in Week 1 Subsequent season.
Re-signings
Dallas signing Odighizuwa to this extension before Unoccupied agency was an absolute steal. Odighizuwa’s 60 Passer pressures in 2024 were the second-most in the Bracket at the Guarding Event position, and he outperformed Finals LIX champion Philadelphia Eagles Guarding Event Jalen Carter in both Passer pressures (60 to 53) and Passer Stress rate (12.3% to 10.4%) in 2024.
His average per year salary of $20 million is 15th among interior Guarding linemen, and the contract doesn’t have any guaranteed money on it in the Last two years — essentially making this pact a two-year deal with two Club options. Excellent business by the Jones family here. Odighizuwa is also a Excellent scheme fit in Eberflus’ 4-3 Protection.
|
QB Pressures |
53 |
60 |
|
QB Stress rate |
10.4% |
12.3% |
|
Sacks |
4.5 |
4.5 |
This is a Club-Amiable deal for the self-proclaimed “fastest person on this World.” Turpin has been the NFC’s Pro Bowl Strike returner in two of his Primary three seasons (2022 and 2024), and he earned the NFL’s 2024 Primary-Club All-Pro Option as a returner for his 2024 production. He Directed the Bracket in both Strike return yards (904) and yards per Strike return (33.5). His 33.5 yards per kickoff return last season is now the Cowboys single-season Turning Mark, and the second-highest since the 1970 AFL/NFL merger trailing only Colts Guarding back and returner Jim Duncan’s 35.4 average in the 1970 season.
The Ex TCU Horned Frog was also the only player in the NFL to have a kickoff return touchdown and a punt return touchdown in 2024, and he became the Primary player in Dallas history with both types of return touchdowns and a receiving touchdown (two) in the same season. Perhaps this deal also leads to his role in the passing game continuing to increase.
Safety Markquese Bell, 26-years-Ancient, was a valuable safety-linebacker hybrid under Ex Guarding coordinator Dan Quinn, but his role decreased in 2024 under Mike Zimmer. This deal indicates Eberflus will reincorporate him into the Protection with safeties Donovan Wilson (30-years-Ancient) and Malik Hooker (turns 29-years-Ancient on Apr. 2). Decent value signing that’s essentially a two-year deal with a Club option in year three with there not being any guaranteed money remaining on the contract in 2027.
Death, taxes and C.J. Goodwin suiting up for the Cowboys’ special Clubs unit are the three certainties in life these Periods. One could argue the rationale behind carving out a Lineup spot for player who is 35-years-Ancient and will exclusively see the Pitch on special Clubs, but coaches have raved about Goodwin’s leadership and responsibility in that Stage for years.
Anger, a two-time Pro Bowler and second-Club All-Pro, was one the NFL’s best as recently as 2023, and he’s a key part of the Pitch Target operation for the NFL’s best kicker Brandon Aubrey. He serves as Aubrey’s holder and keeps him Sloppy with witty jokes and Assisting him get lined up before kicks. Sure, he’s 36-years-Ancient, but nice that Dallas was able to maintain continuity for Aubrey.
Sieg coming back solidifies continuity in Aubrey’s Pitch Target operation, and he’s another locker room favorite who helps keep many on the Club Sloppy with his humor an wit.
Overall Grade: C
No, the Cowboys haven’t Created any Stupid moves, but their inactivity in key areas is holding their grade down. Not re-signing Parsons earlier this offseason has come back to bite them with deals for both Maxx Crosby (three years, $106.5 million with $91.5 million guaranteed) and Myles Garrett (four years, $160 million with $122.8 million guaranteed) raising their All-Pro edge rusher’s asking price at the age of 25. Opting to let Lewis walk opened the door for the Cowboys to be incredibly vulnerable at the cornerback spot with nom proven players likely Obtainable for Week 1 at the position outside of DaRon Bland.
Plus, Dallas restructured Prescott’s and Lamb’s deals for more cap Cosmos now, but Dallas hasn’t Created any significant Achieve-now moves to capitalize on those restructures, moves that increase cap hits later down the road. The Cowboys also desperately need to add another legit veteran at the wide receiver position. Options like Ex Cowboy Amari Cooper, Stefon Diggs and Keenan Allen could all make sense. The Cowboys have the 10th-highest remaining cap Cosmos in the NFL ($37.6 million per OverTheCap.com), and they should use some of it on low-cost vets at both receiver and corner. Extending both Bland and two-time Pro Bowl left guard Tyler Smith are moves one could argue need to get done NOW before All of their respective markets Leap in the near future.
The Cowboys have done Only above the bare minimum in backfilling their depth chart at Numerous spots this offseason, but they Nevertheless need to reinforce their top of their Lineup at a few key positions ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft.
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