The 2023 NFL season was supposed to be a breakthrough for the Dallas Cowboys. Instead, it turned into much of the same for the franchise.
After a third straight year of finishing 12-5 but ultimately suffering a disheartening playoff exit, many had hoped the Cowboys’ free agency plan would be far more aggressive than it’s been.
Instead, the Cowboys have once again been quiet in free agency. While this has typically been the case in recent years, Dallas’ silence this offseason has raised more questions than usual after their disappointing end to last season.
Who Did the Dallas Cowboys Sign in Free Agency?
The Cowboys are in a world of their own this free agency period. While many teams around the league — especially those within their division — have looked toward free agency to upgrade their roster with several moves, the Cowboys have added only one outside free agent thus far.
Former Los Angeles Chargers and Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks has been the team’s lone outside free agent signing to this point. Outside of that, the Cowboys have re-signed five of their players, while seeing eight go elsewhere, with one other retiring in the process.
It’s hard to look at this roster — the same one that got beat down by the Green Bay Packers — and think they’re better, or even comparable to that team talent-wise right now. There have been no upgrades thus far, and those around Cowboys Nation know that, on paper, this is a worse team than the one they fielded last year at the moment.
Grade: D
Eric Kendricks Becomes Man in the Middle
It was clear that the Cowboys had a problem in the middle of their defense last season. With Leighton Vander Esch put on injured reserve in the middle of the season, and since choosing to retire, Dallas struggled to find quality personnel to fill the hole.
The addition of Kendricks helps the Cowboys smoothly transition into a Mike Zimmer defense. Kendricks is comfortable in and prefers to play in this style of defense. He’ll be the man in the middle calling in the signals, meaning this lone outside signing for the Cowboys could pay off hugely if Kendricks is everything they hope he is.
Grade: B+
Special Teams Core Solidified
The Cowboys’ true lack of free agent activity forces us to look at the bright side, even when it includes re-signing a long snapper and special-teams captain.
The Cowboys kept long snapper Trent Sieg in the fold with a one-year deal as well as doing the same for core special-teamer and captain, C.J. Goodwin. The combination of Sieg, punter Bryan Anger, and kicker Brandon Aubrey was one of the cleanest field-goal operations of the NFL last year, and for 2024, that group is back together.
For Goodwin, it was clear his presence was missed when he got put on injured reserve with a pectoral injury early in the season. The rest of the Cowboys’ special teams suffered a bit in his absence, so having him in the fold will only help the team in 2024.
Grade: B
Keep Veteran CB in the Fold
The Cowboys’ secondary took a hit last year when Trevon Diggs went down with a torn ACL, but one of the brightest spots in the room was the re-emergence of veteran CB Jourdan Lewis.
Dallas recognized Lewis’ value and opted to keep him in the fold for 2024, ensuring that they should be no worse than a combination of Diggs, rising star DaRon Bland, and him on the outside for the Cowboys in 2024.
Grade: B
Familiar RB Back for 2024
Tony Pollard quickly signed with the Tennesse Titans, ensuring that the Cowboys will be looking for a new starting RB this season. While that may come in the draft, Dallas did at least keep a familiar face in the fold to soften the blow a bit with the re-signing of Rico Dowdle.
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Dowdle was RB2 in 2023, and, when given the opportunity, fared well. The idea of him being the main guy in 2024 is not a favorable one, but for at least the time being, they have someone else under contract at the position other than just second-year RB Deuce Vaughn.
Grade: B-
More Bodies in Interior DL
The Cowboys kept DT Carl Davis in the fold early in the process. While it’s a re-signing per se, it’s not a needle mover in the least. Davis figures to be a camp body who may be able to find a way into a roster spot if he can impress in practice.
Grade: D
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