The Dallas Cowboys have a little over a month (March 17) until the start of NFL free agency to decide which of their 17 pending free agents they’d like to keep around for next season. They obviously won’t be able to keep them all, nor should they, but whoever they decide to retain will impact the other moves I make in the offseason.
Last year the Dallas Cowboys retained 11 of their free agents, but I highly doubt they approach anywhere close that number this year. With that in mind, let’s go through each and every one of their 17 pending free agents to determine which ones have a future with the organization and which ones don’t.
Let’s get started, shall we!?
QB Dak Prescott
Verdict: Keep
Unless contract talks just completely break down and things turned ugly, Dak Prescott will be retained for at least the 2021 seasons on either a long-term extension or franchise tag. Keeping Prescott around is what is in the best interest of the Dallas Cowboys if they want any chance of success in the near future.
QB Andy Dalton
Verdict: Move on
Andy Dalton still believes he’s a capable starter in the NFL and as such will seek an opportunity to start elsewhere. That doesn’t materialize though the Dallas Cowboys could be interested in retaining him as their QB2 once again.
OL Cameron Erving
Verdict: Move on
Cameron Irving’s versatility to play just about any position along the offensive line is intriguing, but after missing 10 games last season due to injuries I see no reason to keep him around. Paying for a veteran swing tackle with Brandon Knight and Terence Steele is no longer needed.
C/OG Joe Looney
Verdict: Keep
Unless Joe Looney finds a starting job elsewhere, the Dallas Cowboys would be wise to bring him back as an insurance policy in case Tyler Biadasz struggles as a full-time starter. Looney’s versatility to play C or OG makes him a valuable utility player.
WR Noah Brown
Verdict: Move on
Dallas’ WR position is arguably the deepest and most talented on the entire roster. With Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, CeeDee Lamb, and Cedrick Wilson there’s no need to spend money on a veteran WR5 like Noah Brown when a cheaper/younger option could be added through the draft.
TE Blake Bell
Verdict: Move on
With Dalton Schultz’s emergence last year and with Blake Jarwin returning from injury, playing time for Blake Bell would be minimal at best even if the Cowboys wanted him back. He will likely seek a better opportunity elsewhere in the offseason.
DL Tyrone Crawford
Verdict: Move on
The Dallas Cowboys and Tyrone Crawford are likely to part ways the season. The 31-year-old versatile defensive line is supposedly mulling over retirement, which is understandable considering he’s been plagued by injuries the past few seasons.
DT Eli Ankou
Verdict: Move on
The Cowboys traded a seventh-round pick to the Houston Texans to acquire Eli Ankou to provide more depth that the DT position last season. Nothing he did last year during his time in Dallas suggests he has any kind of future with the organization moving forward though.
DE Aldon Smith
Verdict: Keep
There seems to be mutual interest between the Cowboys and Aldon Smith reuniting in the offseason. However, that could change if he’s offered a better contract elsewhere. If the price tag isn’t too expensive though I expect Dallas to do their best to retain his services for next season.
LB Sean Lee
Verdict: Move on
The only way Sean Lee should be retained by the Cowboys is its as an assistant coach, not a player. Dallas needs to get younger and healthier at the LB position and neither of those are his strong suits any longer.
LB Joe Thomas
Verdict: Move on
Joe Thomas is a serviceable starter as a fill-in who I wouldn’t mind the Cowboys trying to retain. But, that’s only if Dallas doesn’t sign another free agent LB or uses a relatively high pick on the position in the upcoming draft.
LB Justin March
Verdict: Move on
Justin March is strictly a special teams player with little to no value for the Cowboys defensively. They can more than likely replaces value on special teams relatively easily through this year’s incoming rookies.
CB Chidobe Awuzie
Verdict: Move on
It wouldn’t surprise me to see the Cowboys attempt to retain Awuzie to provide a bridge while they make over the CB position, but I doubt they put a ton of effort into keeping him around. He will likely move on and receive a better offer to play elsewhere.
CB Jourdan Lewis
Verdict: Move on
I don’t see any way Jourdan Lewis would want to return to the Dallas Cowboys. He’s never really been valued much by the coaching staff during his time with the organization and will likely seek a better opportunity elsewhere.
CB C.J. Goodwin
Verdict: Keep
C.J. Goodwin played 72% of Dallas’ snaps on special teams in 2020 and someone John Fassel will likely campaign to keep around. He’d be relatively inexpensive to retain, which is why I think he sticks around for at least the 2021 season.
S Xavier Woods
Verdict: Move on
Dan Quinn’s system depends on a free safety who can make plays in coverage and Xavier Woods hasn’t proven capable of doing that in his four seasons with the Cowboys. Last year alone in 15 games he had zero interceptions and only one pass defended.
LS L.P. Ladouceur
Verdict: Keep
L.P. Ladouceur just finished his 16th season with the Dallas Cowboys and there’s no reason whatsoever not to go for number 17. He still as consistent as ever, even though he will turn 40 in March. If he wants to continue playing the Cowboys would be wise to make it happen.
