The NFL’s 2024 legal tampering period has passed, and the new league year has officially kicked off. Several names have already flown off the board, but plenty of talent is left.
The Dallas Cowboys have been quiet this year in free agency but still have plenty of time to make moves that can improve their roster for the upcoming season.
Cowboys Free Agency Targets: Players Still Available at Positions of Need
In the early days of this year’s free agency, the Cowboys have seen their offense lose two key pieces — RB Tony Pollard is now with the Tennessee Titans, and C Tyler Biadasz is with the Washington Commanders. Plus, Tyron Smith is expected to sign with the New York Jets.
As such, the Cowboys have several positions that need to be addressed. Let’s break down those roles and potential targets.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire or J.K. Dobbins at RB
Over the last few years, the Cowboys have been one of the better running teams in the league with Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard. However, both of those guys are gone, and the Cowboys’ current starting running back is 5’5″ Deuce Vaughn, who had just 23 carries in his rookie season.
A lot of RBs have already signed with new teams, but J.K. Dobbins could be a potential option for Dallas. Dobbins, formerly of the Baltimore Ravens, has played well in his career. He’s had 234 carries for 1,347 yards and 12 touchdowns, a 5.8-yard average.
Dobbins’ career began with a strong rookie season where he ran for 805 yards and nine touchdowns alongside catching 18 passes for 120 yards in 15 appearances.
It’s been largely downhill since then, however. Dobbin has seen his last two seasons ended prematurely by injuries, resulting in just 100 carries for 542 yards and three TDs.
Still, Dobbin’s skill set could remain attractive to other NFL teams that hope to get the most out of him in a new situation. Dobbins is one likely low-cost option for Dallas.
Re-Sign Stephon Gilmore
The Cowboys need help at cornerback. As it stands, the Cowboys have DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs, but with Bland being an ideal nickel corner, they still need another outside defender to play across from Diggs.
Gilmore yielded 6.9 yards per target and a passer rating of 82.7 in 2023, ending the season with 13 pass breakups and two interceptions.
While speaking on 96.7 The Ticket in February, Gilmore said he wants to sign another deal with the Cowboys in free agency.
“I want to come back,” Gilmore said. “We can’t talk until March. But that’s the goal because I think we do have the pieces to get to where we want to go, and I want to be part of that.”
Find Help at Linebacker in Denzel Perryman
Aside from running back, linebacker might be the biggest position of need for the Cowboys. Their current starting LBs are Eric Kendricks and Damone Clark.
Safety-turned-linebacker Markquese Bell and second-year backer DeMarvion Overshown are the Cowboys’ backups, with Overshown missing his entire rookie season in 2023.
KEEP READING: NFL Post-Free Agency Power Rankings
While many linebackers are off the table at this point, one possibility is 2021 Pro Bowler Denzel Perryman.
A second-round pick by the San Diego Chargers in 2015, the 31-year-old tallied 76 tackles, including six for losses, along with three passes deflections in 12 games (11 starts) for the Houston Texans last season.
Every move. Every team. Don’t miss a thing with PFN’s NFL Free Agency Tracker.
