Earlier this week, the Dallas Cowboys signed veteran RB Royce Freeman to a one-year deal ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft.
It was a classic move by the Cowboys that we have come to expect every offseason around this time.
They plug holes in the roster with capable and cheaply priced veterans so they aren't pigeonholed into addressing any certain position in the draft.
The team has more holes than usual this year after losing nearly a dozen players in free agency.
That near dozen included starting LT Tyron Smith, starting C Tyler Biadasz, and starting RB Tony Pollard.
If we really want to lay out the situation, the Cowboys could use some help/depth on the offensive line, running back, wide receiver, EDGE, 1-tech defensive tackle, linebacker, and cornerback.
With only seven picks in the draft, the Cowboys have to get creative this time around to head into the draft without the necessity to reach for any certain position.
I believe Royce Freeman doesn't have to be the only signing between now and next Thursday to plug some of these holes.
Today we are going to examine three other positions on the roster where I foresee them adding veterans to plug the obvious holes in the roster.
Linebacker
Current Roster: Eric Kendricks, Damone Clark, DeMarvion Overshown, Buddy Johnson
The linebacker position in former DC Dan Quinn's defense seemed to be a hybrid position along with the safety position.
We saw hard-hitting safeties like Donovan Wilson, Jayron Kearse, and Markquese Bell play many snaps up near the line of scrimmage in run support.
Injuries to Leighton Vander Esch and rookie DeMarvion Overshown blew up the Cowboys' plans and depth for the linebacker position, and the defense suffered for it.
While Overshown has been rehabbing since the start of the 2023 season, Vander Esch will not be returning.
The extent of his injuries to his neck has forced him to retire many years before he should have to
Behind Eric Kendricks and Damone Clark on the depth chart are two players with minimal NFL experience, making linebackers an obvious team need.
Dallas doesn't want any of their picks telegraphed so here is a short list of candidates they could bring in before the draft:
- Zach Cunningham
- Shaq Leonard
- Kwon Alexander
- Jarrad Davis
- Blake Martinez
EDGE
Current Roster: DeMarcus Lawrence, Micah Parsons, Sam Williams, Chauncey Golston, Junior Fehoko, Durrell Johnson, Tyrus Wheat
Like the linebacker position, the Cowboys lost EDGE depth this offseason, albeit not due to injury.
Nearly 70% of the defensive snaps from the right defensive end position were lost in one fell swoop when the Cowboys let the contracts of Dorance Armstong and Dante Fowler Jr. expire.
Both players followed Dan Quinn to Washington, but the Cowboys have yet to do anything to address their departures.
Behind DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons, the experience level takes a massive hit. Only Sam Williams and Chauncey Golston have taken NFL snaps.
There are young players, including Williams who the Cowboys are counting on to take a massive leap forward in their development, but can we trust that?
Here are some veterans who can step in and fill a role to keep the Cowboys from drafting EDGE desperately next week:
- Emmanuel Ogbah
- Carl Lawson
- Jerry Hughes
- Charles Harris
Cornerback
Current Roster: Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland, Jourdan Lewis, Nahshon Wright, Eric Scott Jr., Josh Butler
Months ago I mentioned that cornerback would be a sneaky need heading into the 2024 NFL Draft.
Some laughed at me, and may still laugh after seeing two All-Pro cornerbacks at the top of the depth chart with another Pro Bowl cornerback in the slot.
Consider this, Trevon Diggs is returning from an ACL tear that sidelined him from Week 3 onward.
We've seen Michael Gallup and Terence Steele come back as shells of their former selves after suffering the same injury.
There's no guarantee that Diggs will come back in All-Pro form, and unless Stephon Gilmore walks back in the door, the Cowboys could be in trouble.
The type of injury suffered by Jourdan Lewis in 2022 can commonly be reaggravated, and behind him on the depth chart is an ocean of uncertainty.
Fourth-year player Nahshon Wright has not made the best of his limited opportunities, and behind him are two players who have never played an NFL down.
Here are some veterans who could inject some experience into the cornerback room before the draft:
- Stephon Gilmore
- Patrick Peterson
- Steven Nelson
- Tre Flowers
- Justin Bethel
