25 potential free agent targets for the Cowboys in 2023
The Dallas Cowboys 2022 season is in full attack mode right now, but that doesn’t mean that getting a jump on the offseason is worthless. With an eye on potential holes to the roster, these next two games likely won’t have much impact on playoff seeding, barring a seven-step miracle, but they will give Dallas a further glimpse of what areas need to be attacked during the player acquisition phases.
As it stands now, Dallas has a few holes to consider filling in free agency before they get to the draft. I’d love for the NFL to adopt the NBA’s process of draft before free agency, but the one thing the NFLPA has done right is making sure their veterans get deals before the youngin’s join the fray.
Looking to avoid the obvious big-name, top-of-market guys Stephen Jones probably won’t legitimately consider, here’s a look at 25 veterans at projected positions of need who could be on the radar come March 2023.
This is by no means a comprehensive list of good finds, but it’s a strong starting point. Also of not, this list does not contain Dallas’ own free agents whom the club could look to bring back.
Running Back Depth
The Cowboys have made no secret they don’t mind paying running backs in the modern era. Ezekiel Elliott was being run into the ground after his first three seasons, took the opportunity to leverage it into the richest RB contract in a while.
The guaranteed money from the 2019 deal is now done and the club could potentially look to rid the cap of the big hit.
At the same time, Tony Pollard is having his best season and was named to the Pro Bowl. He’s hitting free agency. While he recently said owner Jerry Jones has hinted towards not letting him walk, it remains to be seen which direction Dallas would go.
Cowboys Wire wrote about the best plan to keep both here, but if one walks then Dallas could be looking to the free agent market.
Damien Harris
Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
David Montgomery
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Devin Singletary
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Cornerbacks
Trevon Diggs will be eligible for an extension with just one year remaining on his rookie deal. He’s going to get paid, whether it be this year, next or in 2025 after a franchise tag. The spots surrounding him are what are in question.
Anthony Brown is done for the year and his contract is up as well. Jourdan Lewis is done for the year and has one year remaining.
Kelvin Joseph doesn’t appear to get it, but there’s a chance Dallas feels confident in the outstanding rookie season of Daron Bland and hopeful about second-year player Nahshon Wright. Perhaps they don’t look to get veteran help and lean towards drafting, but there are veterans to consider. Perhaps they do.
Jamel Dean
Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Emmanuel Moseley
Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Cameron Sutton
Patrick Peterson
Dec 24, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson (7) celebrates his interception against the New York Giants uring the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Byron Murphy
Defensive Tackles
Stopping the run is overrated, but it’s certainly an area the Cowboys could improve upon. Name a game where the run game was the primary reason Dallas lost in 2022, I’ll wait, and if you try to say Green Bay I’ll point you to how elite Aaron Rodgers was in that game compared to the rest of his season.
Sorry, tangent. The Cowboys can use help in the middle regardless because why not be good at everything? Osa Odighizuwa is the only one consistently doing work and he’s lonely.
Dalvin Tomlinson
Peter van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports
Da'Ron Payne
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Poona Ford
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
A'Shawn Robinson
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Matt Ioannidis
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
David Onyemata
James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Tight Ends
Dallas has to feel very hopeful with their rookie combo of Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot. They’ll almost assuredly let Dalton Schultz walk in free agency to get the big deal and bring them back a fourth-round comp pick in 2024.
The club will likely consider adding a veteran to the mix for depth and for the leadership aspect.
Austin Hooper
Offensive Guards
It’s assumed that Tyler Smith will settle into the starting LT1 spot and no longer be a shift-inside option in 2023. There’s real question whether or not the club can move forward with Connor McGovern as the left guard, and if they feel otherwise, they may look to replenish an offensive line that isn’t all that good at pass protection with some quality veteran help.
Elgton Jenkins
Nate Davis
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Evan Brown
(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Isaac Seumalo
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
David Edwards
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Backup Quarterbacks
Cooper Rush played himself into a solid contract this offseason and that money isn’t going to come from a club which has invested $40 million per season in their starter. He’ll get paid by a team looking for a bridge/mentor type to a highly-drafted rookie QB.
Will Grier is still an option, as he was neck and neck with Rush in camp but didn’t win the job in the preseason. Dallas could still look elsewhere after seeing how important the role is with Rush’s 4-1 stretch.
Teddy Bridgewater
(AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
Taylor Heinicke
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Baker Mayfield
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Wide Receiver
Dallas will always need to sign a veteran WR, and they have to do better than James Washington.
Jarvis Landry
Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports
Darius Slayton
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
