All head coaching vacancies have been filled, the draft season kicked off with the Senior Bowl, and the Super Bowl matchup is set.
In other words, the NFL offseason is about to be in full swing.
Free agency, one of the most important phases of the offseason, is only a month away and it is time to start looking at potential additions for the Dallas Cowboys.
Aside from retaining key players on expiring deals, the Cowboys are in a prime position to add external players to the roster.
Currently, Dallas has just three picks in the top 100 in the draft.
With the weaknesses on the roster and the “all-in” approach the Cowboys are going for, they can not rely on the draft alone to improve.
If Dallas tries in free agency, it will be a sign that they plan on backing up the “win-now” rhetoric.
Here are the five free agents that the Cowboys should sign this offseason.
Titans RB, Derrick Henry
Until he is signed elsewhere, you will not stop hearing about the Cowboys and Derrick Henry this offseason. It just makes too much sense.
Henry is heading into his age-30 season, but he is still playing at an All-Pro level. A short-term deal with a contender makes a lot of sense for him.
The active leader in career rushing yards in the NFL added 1,167 yards to his total in 2023, along with 12 rushing touchdowns.
Derrick Henry doing Derrick Henry things.
📺: #JAXvsTEN on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/X0vcyHUoyR pic.twitter.com/ggtjWd2jSa— NFL (@NFL) January 7, 2024
Down in Dallas, the offense is coming off a very disappointing season running the ball, especially in short-yardage situations.
A powerful, talented, short-term RB1 is exactly what Mike McCarthy's offense could use.
When you combine the logistics of the fit and contract with the big name, it is an exciting possibility for fans.
Bringing in Henry on a short-term contract fixes the Cowboys' offense, takes the pressure off Dak Prescott, and puts the former Titans star in the most prolific passing offense of his career.
Dallas won't have to rely solely on Prescott and CeeDee Lamb to put up points, and Henry won't need to carry it 30 times for his team to have a chance.
It is a match made in heaven; it depends on whether Dallas pursues a veteran option at the position and if Henry is realistic in his contract demands.
Seahawks LB, Bobby Wagner
At 33 years old, how much does 9-time Pro Bowler, Bobby Wagner, have left in the tank?
He showed in 2023 he was not done yet, as he led the league in tackles with 183. This was also a career-high for Wagner.
Seattle #Seahawks Bobby Wagner led the #NFL in tackles this season with 183 tackles and 11 tackles for loss.
Pete Carroll talked about the leadership Wagner brought to the team this season. pic.twitter.com/2i9Z9ZlSrz
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) January 10, 2024
He was named an All-Pro for the 10th season in a row, and he is headed back to free agency.
Dallas is in desperate need of linebackers with experience and ability. It is safe to say Wagner carries both.
There will be concerns about his age, as I mentioned, but with Dallas also likely to draft linebackers and the team heading into a crucial season, why not throw a 1-year deal at a proven commodity?
The kind of leadership and skillset Wagner would bring is something the Cowboys have not had since the Sean Lee days.
The veteran presence, coverage skills, and run support from Wagner could be huge for the defense.
So what if it only lasts one season?
Colts DT, Grover Stewart
If the Cowboys, and whoever their new defensive coordinator will be, are serious about stopping the run this is the first move they should make.
Grover Stewart is one of the best defensive tackles on the market, and he specializes in run defense.
Not enough people know Grover Stewart's name pic.twitter.com/hjHpaS6y3x
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) November 3, 2021
In 2023, despite being suspended 6 games, Stewart had 5 tackles for loss and drastically improved the numbers of a Colts run defense that was struggling in his absence.
He is going to cost Dallas a good amount of money if they sign him, potentially over $10M a year, but the on-field difference for the defense could be drastic.
The Cowboys have not had a true run stuffer with the ability of Stewart in a very long time; he could be the last piece Dallas needs for a top-three defensive line in the league.
If former first-round pick Mazi Smith improves this offseason, you will be looking at two stellar pass rushers, and three really good defensive tackles in Stewart, Smith, and Osa Odighizuwa.
Dallas was gashed by 143 rushing yards against the Packers in the postseason, and it will happen again without a serious move to fix it.
Stewart solves that problem and then some for the Cowboys' run defense.
Lions OL, Graham Glasgow
There is not a bigger need on the Cowboys roster than the offensive line.
Both Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz are headed for free agency, Terence Steele has been struggling since his ACL injury, and the existing depth on the roster is not good enough.
It seems likely Dallas signs one of Smith or Biadasz and fills the position of the guy that leaves in the draft.
If the Cowboys were to go through free agency however, and sign Graham Glasgow, they could rely on an experienced, improving, guard rather than a rookie.
Glasgow had a great season in Detroit, but he still won't cost Dallas that much against the cap.
This move secures the interior of the line with an improvement over Biadasz, allows Dallas to draft a tackle, and could put the running game back on track.
Glasgow allowed just two sacks on 1,061 snaps in 2023, and he has played in 17 games the last two seasons.
That kind of consistency is exactly what Dallas needs.
Texans WR, Noah Brown
A familiar face, coming off a breakout season, is a perfect fit for a Dallas offense in need of wide receiver depth.
Noah Brown spent five seasons with the Cowboys before heading to Houston and having a career-high in receiving yards.
Brown put up 567 yards on 33 receptions, including two straight games of 150+ receiving yards.
Noah Brown is now the 3rd Houston Texans player to have 6+ catches, and 150+ yards in consecutive games, joining Andre Johnson and Deandre Hopkins:
7 Catches | 172 Yards
6 Catches | 150 Yards | 1 TDWHAT A GAME. pic.twitter.com/Lc3834VHVW
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) November 12, 2023
This would not be the final move for Dallas at receiver, as they are still likely to get somebody in the draft, but this is a perfect option 3rd or 4th option in the offense.
With Lamb, a draft prospect, and veterans in Brown and Brandin Cooks, the Cowboys receiving corps will be on track for a great 2024 season.
His familiarity with the offense carries weight, and it is something almost all other free agents can't offer.
