It's not over yet, but the 2020 season will be coming to an end in no time. For the Dallas Cowboys that's good news. They can finally put one of the most disastrous years in the history of the organization behind them and start focusing more on the future. Part of that future means deciding which pending free agents they try to re-sign and which ones to let go.
Today, I wanted to zero in on a handful of the Dallas Cowboys pending free agents and share with you the ones I think they could prioritize above others. With plenty of holes to fill the Cowboys will have to be thrifty with their money, especially considering the amount of cash they could shell out to keep their starting quarterback. Surprisingly enough, that's where we'll start.
QB Dak Prescott
Whether it's on the franchise tag or long-term extension, retaining QB Dak Prescott seems to be the Dallas Cowboys top priority in the offseason. I'm personally a little on the fence about Prescott's future in Dallas, but only due to the money involved. It would be difficult to move on from such a proven commodity to an unknown one, but that seems to be the way the Cowboys are leaning right now. It won't be cheap, but there's no denying No. 4's importance to the team.
CB Chidobe Awuzie
Cost-effective, young, talented, and versatile sounds like a win-win kind of free agent signing for the Dallas Cowboys. That pretty much sums up why the Cowboys should prioritize re-signing CB Chidobe Awuzie in the offseason. Missing the majority of 2020 with an injury probably hurts his market value to anyone else but Dallas and retaining him would no doubt provide some much-needed depth to the secondary whether it's at corner or safety.
DE Aldon Smith
Despite teams interest, the Dallas Cowboys refused to trade Aldon Smith prior to the 2020 deadline. That suggests Dallas would love to make him part of the organizations future, however, that could be easier said than done. He's sure to draw quite a bit of interest as a free agent, meaning he could have already played himself out of the Cowboys price range. That could make re-signing him a little bit more difficult, but the Cowboys will no doubt do their best to keep him around.
LB Joe Thomas
A backup capable of starting, Joe Thomas has proven time and time again his value when thrust into action. He's performed just as well, if not better, than either Jaylon Smith or Leighton Vander Esch as a starter when needed and can continue to do so if re-signed. Behind Smith and LVE next year LB depth is a concern. Thomas could be a cost-effective option to help provide some much-needed depth and someone the Cowboys know and trust already.
LS L.P. Ladouceur
The Dallas Cowboys should continue to re-sign L.P. Ladouceur as long as he wants to continue to play. It's as simple as that. He's been as close to perfect as there can be snapping the ball and there's no reason to change that as long as he wants to continue playing. Re-signing a long snapper may not be viewed as a big free agent signing as some of the other players previously mentioned, but no one will have to worry about any snapping issues as long as No. 91 is employed.
