Chiefs WR headlines potential Cowboys free-agent additions
Free agency begins March 15 at 4 p.m. ET.
Positional needs: CB, DT, WR, LB
Key contributors Tony Pollard (RB), Dalton Schultz (TE), Leighton Vander Esch (LB) and safety Donovan Wilson are free agents. The Cowboys must make tough decisions to keep the core of the team together. Dallas is 18th in the league with about $1.8M in cap room, per Spotrac.
Daron Payne, DT, Washington Commanders:
The Cowboys ranked top 10 in points per game (20.1) and passing yards per game (200.9), but they did not excel against the run, giving up 129.3 rushing yards per game (22nd).
Pro Bowler Payne put together his best season, posting 59 tackles, 11.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss. The price tag could be big, but Payne would greatly aid against the run and could help push the Cowboys to the NFC title game and beyond.
Byron Murphy, CB, Arizona Cardinals
Murphy could be a low-risk, high-reward signing. Coming off an injury-shortened season, the 25-year-old could be paired with Trevon Diggs and Daron Bland to form a promising secondary trio.
In 2021, he had his best season as a pro with 64 tackles, four interceptions and 12 passes defended. He is also versatile enough that he can cover the best receiver on the outside and line up in the slot and cover the middle of the field.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Smith-Schuster, in his sixth NFL season, is only 26. In his first four seasons with the Steelers, he averaged 77 receptions, 931 yards receiving and 6.5 receiving touchdowns per season.
In the 2021 offseason, he signed a one-year deal with the Chiefs after a serious shoulder injury ended his season with Pittsburgh after five games.
Smith-Schuster, an outstanding blocker, led all Chiefs wideouts in receiving yards (933) and caught 78 of 101 targets.
The Cowboys need a better option behind WR1 CeeDee Lamb, but Smith-Schuster could be difficult to pry from the Chiefs.
“I would love to stay here, to be honest,” he told Forbes.com earlier this season. “This offense is unbelievable. Coaching staff is unbelievable."
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