Cowboys' five biggest winners after extremely quiet start to NFL free agency

Almost two full weeks into the 2024 NFL free agency, the Dallas Cowboys have seen an exodus of talent while only signing one outside free agent so far.

It's been a frustrating start to the offseason but that doesn't mean there are no winners to talk about within the Cowboys organization.

Below are the five biggest winners from the team's decision-making so far.

DC Mike Zimmer

We would've expected more defensive additions for Zimmer but at least he got his guy Eric Kendricks. And he got him in dramatic fashion, too. Kendricks had agreed to terms with the San Francisco 49ers before Zimmer and the Cowboys convinced him to ultimately sign with them.

Kendricks and Zimmer were together on the Vikings from 2015-2021 and the veteran linebacker will be crucial to get the coach's defense going quickly in Dallas.

EDGE Sam Williams

With Dante Fowler Jr. and Dorance Armstrong gone to the Washington Commanders, there are over 700 snaps to be replaced on the Cowboys' defensive end/edge rotation. Williams will automatically become the unquestioned No. 3 behind Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence with the news.

Now it's all about what he does with the responsibility. Williams has proven to be very talented but needs more discipline on the field. 

DT Mazi Smith

After unexpectedly losing Johnathan Hankins to the Seattle Seahawks, Smith now becomes the lone nose tackle on the Cowboys roster. Under Zimmer, chances are last year's first-round pick won't be asked to play at a lower weight and will instead play where he's most comfortable at. 

He said he didn't even like football, he just likes hitting people. Well, it's his time to step up at nose. 

CB Jourdan Lewis

Stephon Gilmore remains unsigned and while both cornerbacks that hit free agency were hunting for very different deals, signing Gilmore could've meant the end for Lewis as a Cowboy. But for now, he returns for another year after coming back from a nasty foot injury suffered in 2022. 

Lewis is a legit nickel cornerback and he gets another season to keep proving doubters wrong while playing one of the hardest defensive positions in the NFL. 

T.J. Bass and Brock Hoffman

I know this might be cheating but I'm going for a two-in-one here: After the Cowboys lost Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz, both of these young players have witnessed their stocks skyrocket.

Both Bass and Hoffman could be battling for a starting role on the lineup. Hoffman and Bass played a limited amount of snaps last year and weren't a liability. Bass' upside showed particularly as a run blocker and could have the edge if the Cowboys need a guard after the draft while Hoffman likely has the edge at center. But these two went from backups to potential starters real quick.