There was no shortage of moves being made around the NFL yesterday on the first day of the legal tampering period and surprisingly the Dallas Cowboys weren’t sitting on their hands. In fact, they may have already secured the depth at one position prior to the 2021 season.
News broke yesterday that the Dallas Cowboys are placing original round tenders on WR Cedrick Wilson and DT Antwaun Woods, both of which were restricted free agents.
Cowboys restricted free agents Cedrick Wilson and Antwaun Woods will get the original round tenders of $2,133,000 for 2021, per source. The Cowboys do not plan to offer tenders Greg Senat and Malik Turner
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) March 15, 2021
Cedrick Wilson has served as the Dallas Cowboys WR4 for the past few seasons and has been a valued member on special teams as well. So valuable it seems that the $2.1 million price tag he will carry in 2021 doesn’t seem to be an issue. The same can be said for Antwaun Woods who’s been a solid 1-tech for Dallas and should provide some much-needed depth for the upcoming season.
Although both of those moves are a little bit surprising considering the amount of money involved, the fact the Dallas Cowboys decided to bring back WR Noah Brown as well is a move I doubt anyone saw coming.
Cowboys agreed to one-year deal bringing back WR Noah Brown, source confirms to @usatodaysports.
Dallas WR stable is deep but 2017 seventh-rounder played 20% of offensive snaps, 47% of special teams in 2020. Another chance to show what he's capable of with Dak on track to return
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) March 15, 2021
With Noah Brown back in the mix as well the Dallas Cowboys have the entire band back together for the upcoming 2021 season. From top to bottom the WR depth is strong and the entire position looks to be secured as of right now. No other moves are needed, and yet, I can’t help but think both Wilson and Brown returning could signify something else.
Since the end of the 2020 season, and even before that, there’s been speculation Michael Gallup could be traded away for more draft a capital or for a player to help upgrade the defense. I may be grasping at straws here, but with both Cedrick Wilson and Noah Brown returning that speculation only intensifies in my opinion.
Why else would the Dallas Cowboys bring back two veteran receivers who not only have a good rapport with QB Dak Prescott, but also full working knowledge of the offensive system? After all, Cedrick Wilson or Noah Brown would be good WR3 on just about any other team around the league.
If you add that to the fact the 2021 WR draft class is considered one of the strongest in recent memory and things don’t necessarily look too good for Michael Gallup remaining with the Dallas Cowboys. Could a trade already be in the works?
This of course is all speculation on my part. Bringing back Cedrick Wilson and Noah Brown could just be the Dallas Cowboys way of securing one position for the 2021 season. It doesn’t necessarily keep them from selecting a WR at some point in the NFL Draft, but it definitely lessens the need.
Regardless though, I’m going to be keeping a close eye on Michael Gallup moving forward. The Dallas Cowboys aren’t necessarily trying to trade him away, but at the same time I highly doubt they’re not picking up the phone to listen to offers. It’s a situation worth monitoring.
You may very well be correct. I hope not. I would prefer they shed Coopers contract, just for the money.
You have a 40 mil qb, don’t need a 20 mil receiver.
Not sure you could get anyone to take on Coops contract though
Cooper’s contract isn’t all that bad for the caliber WR he is, close to being Top 5. After this year the Cowboys can get out of it if they choose. I really like Gallup, but extending him and moving on from Cooper is a downgrade IMO.
To add to the intrigue … if they are actually shopping Gallup pre-draft, then there must be some modicum of hoping that Pitts will be there at No.10? Else, I see Gallup as more of an in-season/trade deadline kind of move. I do believe that Dallas doesn’t want to force Lamb to the outside full-time, so the presence of Wilson and Brown helps with that too.
I actually prefer Jaylen Waddle over Kyle Pitts, but I get your point. I don’t know if the Cowboys are actively shopping Gallup, but I’m sure they’ve had to have had in-house discussions about the features of both him and Amari Cooper. With Cedrick Wilson and Noah Brown back in the mix that gets them insurance to make like trading #13 if they receive a trade-off for the like.
Interesting……. I like Gallup a lot. I understand if they trade him to get back some value. But I hope the Cowboys focus on Defense in this free agency period. We lost LB Thomas yesterday, and believe we are extremely thin at LB position now. Need to address ASAP.
I believe upgrading the defense is the Cowboys primary focus. Michael Gallup could be used as a trade piece to acquire more defensive help. Gallup for Stepon Gilmore? I wondered if the Patriots would go for that?
Beating a dead horse here probably. How about Coop for Gilmore? Better $ for $ deal for Dallas.
Coop better than Gallup, but can’t put a steak in every plate and have ANY kind of balance.
Cooper isn’t going anywhere because of the dead money the Cowboys would have to eat this year. That makes Gallup the most expendable IMO.