The Dallas Cowboys have an opportunity to upgrade their roster at pennies on the dollar leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft, but will they take those calculated risks? It has been a quiet free agency for the Cowboys so far, but not a quiet offseason by any means. The Cowboys certainly made waves with a handful of moves that deserve some attention.
First, they made a trade with the Colts to bring in former Defensive MVP Stephon Gilmore at the cornerback position. He’s an outstanding fit in Dan Quinn’s defense and should pair nicely with Trevon Diggs on the other side. Offensively, the Cowboys made a big move to go and get wide receiver Brandin Cooks from the Houston Texans. Cooks will give the Cowboys a desperately needed veteran presence to go along with CeeDee Lamb at the receiver spot.
Additionally, the Cowboys said goodbye to one of the franchise’s best running backs ever, Ezekiel Elliott. As difficult as it was for Jerry Jones to make that call, it was a necessary move given the financial ramifications (almost $11 million in post-June 1 savings) to get the Cowboys to a good spot. But is this team done making moves? Could we see some bargain deals get done before the 2023 NFL Draft?
If we do, here are five I’d like to see.
5 bargain free agents for the Dallas Cowboys to sign before the 2023 NFL Draft
1. Kenny Golladay, WR
It didn’t work out for Kenny Golladay and the New York Giants, but why not let him give it another shot in Dallas? Golladay was once one of the most promising young receivers in the game. As a member of the Detroit Lions, Golladay had multiple seasons over 1,000 yards receiving and a career-high 11 touchdowns in 2019. He averaged almost 17 yards per reception in his first three NFL seasons and although he was limited to just five games in 2020, Golladay got a big-money deal from the Giants in the 2021 offseason.
He never even sniffed his prior production. Golladay had just one touchdown in 26 games for the Giants over the last two seasons. New York let him go but now entering his age 29 season, perhaps the right change of scenery could put Golladay back on the map.
That big-play ability is still in there somewhere, right?
I think the Dallas Cowboys would do well to bring in a big-bodied threat like Golladay and see if the juice is worth the squeeze.
2. Dallas Cowboys should sign former 1st-round OT Isaiah Wynn
In the NFL today, good offensive line help is hard to come by. The supply and demand on the offensive line are simply not in favor of teams having depth at this point, so it’s a little surprising to see former high draft picks who are still young players sitting around in free agency.
Isaiah Wynn was once considered one of the top offensive line prospects in the draft and time has flown by after his rookie contract expired with the Patriots this year. Wynn obviously didn’t do well enough to stick around with the Pats, but his projection coming out of Georgia was that he could play either guard or tackle, which he did at Georgia.
The Cowboys could use him as a swing tackle or backup guard as well and perhaps find that Wynn could eventually be a fixture somewhere on their line.
3. Jerick McKinnon, RB
The Dallas Cowboys obviously are taking on some change at the running back position in 2023. Ezekiel Elliott has been cut, and Tony Pollard is coming off of a major injury suffered in the playoffs. Given there is at least some uncertainty with Pollard’s status health-wise, I think it would be smart for the Cowboys to go after someone like Jerick McKinnon.
At the very least, McKinnon could come in and play a prominent role even if Pollard is fully healthy, but especially if he needs some time on the shelf to start the season. How many free agents who had 10 total touchdowns last year (9 receiving, 1 rushing) are still sitting in free agency?
4. Dallas Cowboys should sign LB Myles Jack
The Dallas Cowboys have a pretty loaded defensive unit at the moment. They don’t “need” much, but if you look at the linebacker position, there might be an opening or two that someone like Myles Jack could come in and help with. Remember last year, the Cowboys went out and grabbed Anthony Barr to solidify this unit. That kind of versatility could also be present with a player like Jack.
He had over 100 tackles last year as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers as well as three passes defensed. In Dan Quinn’s defense, I think Jack’s versatility and ability to play in space, as a pass rusher, and in coverage would really shine.
5. Bryce Callahan, CB
In today’s NFL, you can really never have too many good cornerbacks. Bryce Callahan has been one of the best nickel corners in the NFL the last handful of years, but he also proved with the Denver Broncos back in the 2020 season that he can also thrive playing on the outside if the need arises.
The Cowboys have already added Stephon Gilmore to this unit and if they add Bryce Callahan before the NFL Draft? Well that just might solidify this as the best and most well-rounded secondary in the entire NFL.
Landing a player like Callahan obviously isn’t going to set the Cowboys back much financially at this point and would bring Callahan back to the state of Texas where he played both high school and college ball (Rice).