NFL free agency is fast approaching, leaving teams with just over two weeks to finalize their plans and goals. It’s set to be a big offseason for the Dallas Cowboys as they look to retool the roster in hopes of a deep playoff run in 2024 after this past season’s earlier-than-expected exit.
Let’s take a look at three Cowboys free agency predictions ahead of a pivotal time for the franchise.
Cowboys Free Agency Predictions
Dallas heads into free agency with some key needs to be addressed, whether through signing veteran players or holding off to add potentially cheaper yet less proven options via the draft.
The Cowboys’ biggest needs are at linebacker and running back, and Dallas has a solid amount of salary cap flexibility to work with depending on how it elects to proceed despite currently sitting over the cap.
Sign Derrick Henry To Replace Tony Pollard
Running back is a key position for Dallas to figure out with both Tony Pollard and Rico Dowdle headed to free agency. Bringing the pair back is certainly one option, but the Cowboys could also look to make a splashy upgrade at the spot and go all-in on the 2024 season.
Henry certainly fits the bill in that regard as one of the NFL’s top running backs over the last several years. He is getting up there in age for the position at 30 years old but has shown few signs of slowing down after rushing for 1,167 yards and 12 touchdowns last season.
Henry is ranked as PFN’s third-best available running back on the market behind Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs and could certainly provide a dependable power running threat for Dallas if it elects not to bring back Pollard.
Add Frankie Luvu To Address Biggest Need
Linebacker was far and away the Cowboys’ biggest concern throughout the 2023 season as injuries left the room plenty thin, and it looks to require a significant overhaul this offseason.
Luvu would be a strong piece to anchor the room after carving out a key role over the last two seasons with the Carolina Panthers. He racked up 125 tackles (66 solo), 10 tackles for loss, five pass breakups, and two forced fumbles last season and ranks as PFN’s top free-agent linebacker.
Although the Panthers may make a push at bringing him back, joining a Dallas team that’s more likely to contend, and playing a key role in that pursuit, could appeal to Luvu.
Re-Sign Stephon Gilmore To Preserve CB Depth
Cornerback was a position of strength for the Cowboys in 2023, even after losing star Trevon Diggs to a torn ACL early in the year.
DaRon Bland was an integral playmaker in the unit, but the veteran Gilmore also stepped up as a dependable option alongside Bland at corner. Gilmore may not still be at his Pro Bowl levels of years past, but he remained a strong contributor last year with 68 tackles (54 solo), 13 pass breakups, and two interceptions.
KEEP READING: 2024 NFL Top 100 Free Agent Rankings
Bringing back Gilmore makes plenty of sense for Dallas, allowing it to continue easing Diggs back in and have strong depth in the event of another serious injury within the unit in 2024.
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