Dallas Cowboys: 3 realistic free agent targets in 2022

Dec 9, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Giants offensive guard Will Hernandez (71) blocks against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 9, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Giants offensive guard Will Hernandez (71) blocks against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
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Dallas Cowboys
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 26: Defensive end Solomon Thomas #92 of the Las Vegas Raiders walks off the field after the team’s 17-13 victory over the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium on December 26, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Dallas Cowboys FA target No. 2: Solomon Thomas, DE

Much has been made about the Dallas Cowboys and their high-priced star players. Amari Cooper is apparently on the chopping block and there’s a chance DeMarcus Lawrence could be as well after he reportedly refused to take a cut in pay.

We can talk all day about how Dallas did this to themselves. They sit in a poor spot financially because they drug out contract extensions for players such as Lawrence and quarterback Dak Prescott. In the end, they wound up paying substantially more after tagging the player, then signing them, than they would have if they just bit the bullet and paid their best performers.

They also jumped the gun to pay Ezekiel Elliott and ended up over-paying the one position they could actually replace affordably. However, this is not about how they got where they did, but where they go from here.

With Lawrence possibly heading out, and Randy Gregory a free agent as well, the Cowboys need to add depth at defensive end and Solomon Thomas could be an option. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Thomas spent four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers before joining the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021.

He had a solid season with the Raiders, recording 34 tackles and 3.5 sacks, and is once again hitting the open market. Dallas could potentially bring him in as an affordable option who has some starting experience, as well as the versatility to slide inside on third downs.