It’s a lot more fun to speculate about the NFL draft and which players the Dallas Cowboys could be interested in, but today I want to talk about free agency. These players aren’t shiny new toys, but for the most part they are proven commodities and teams pretty much know what they’re getting. It’s usually the safer way to improve your team.
I know the Dallas Cowboys have stated they don’t plan on being very active in free agency outside of signing their own, but they have the money to pretty much do whatever they want. That is why I decided to put together a list of five moves I believe they should seriously consider. I really think each one of these moves are possible without breaking the bank.
Continue to read below to see how I would potentially approach free agency this year. I think it’s a great way for the Cowboys to free themselves up to take any player regardless of position in the upcoming 2019 NFL Draft.
Bring Landon Collins to Dallas
Last year at this time everybody was wanting the Dallas Cowboys to upgrade their safety position with Earl Thomas. This year everybody should shift their focus to a safety who’s played for the Cowboys division rival the past several years, Landon Collins. He is the hard-hitting enforcer they need at strong safety.
The Cowboys need to replace Jeff Heath in the starting lineup. He’s been serviceable these past few years, but his poor tackling this past season was a problem. This is an area where Landon Collins excels and he would become that Kam Chancellor type enforcer like Kris Richard had on the back end of his defense with the Seattle Seahawks.
Beef up the Defensive Line
For what seems like the past decade I’ve been preaching about the Dallas Cowboys need to add a big space eating defensive tackle to the middle their defensive line. Someone who can clog the middle and help keep opposing offensive lineman from getting their hands on the Cowboys young talented linebackers.
I think the Cowboys can add one of these behemoth DTs without breaking the bank. Danny Shelton, a former first-round pick, would probably be my first choice. He’s every bit of 340 pounds and is coming off a down year with the New England Patriots after being acquired from the Cleveland Browns via trade this past offseason. He is load to deal with in the running game and has the power to collapse the pocket as a pass rusher.
Steal Division Rival’s Swing Tackle
When healthy and on the field Tyron Smith is still arguably the best left tackle in the NFL. Unfortunately, he’s missed a couple games in consecutive seasons due to injuries, which has made the swing tackle position behind him more important. With Cameron Fleming hitting free agency, the Cowboys could turn to their division rival, the Washington Redskins, for tackle help by signing Ty Nsekhe.
Although Fleming played pretty well in Tyron Smith’s absence, I think Ty Nsekhe will not only be more affordable, but also an upgrade. Nsekhe is 33 years old, but don’t hold his age against him. I think he is a starting caliber left tackle in the NFL and could even compete with La’el Collins for the starting right tackle position.
Replace Cole Beasley in the Slot
Cole Beasley seemed to be a little insulted with how the Dallas Cowboys value him both contract -wise and in the passing game, which means he’s probably moving on. Luckily, there are a couple of free agents the Cowboys can bring in and be just as productive, perhaps even more so.
Adam Humphries and Jamison Crowder are two FA wide receivers I believe can come in and replace Cole Beasley. Both are younger than Beasley and both are dangerous slot WRs. Humphries a little bigger than Beasley, while Crowder is little smaller. And, both are more dangerous after the catch and would be an upgrade at punt returner as well.
Upgrade Tight End Position
The best way for the Dallas Cowboys to upgrade their tight end position might be to do it through free agency. There’s some pretty solid free agent TEs available this year and signing one of them would help Blake Jarwin and Dalton Schultz’s development more than bringing in a rookie. But, like always it’s going to come down to price.
Personally, I like former Pittsburgh Steelers TE Jesse James as a Cowboys FA target. He’s a good in-line blocker and receiver in the passing game. He’s has had some solid production in Pittsburgh, which could’ve been better if targeted more often in the passing game. There is also a couple of Baltimore Ravens TEs that make sense, Maxx Williams and Nick Boyle. Any one of these three would likely be an upgrade in Dallas though.
