Malcolm Butler, A.J. Bouye expressed interest in joining Cowboys

Both Malcolm Butler and A.J. Bouye expressed an interest in joining the Cowboys, Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram notes, and each third-contract-seeking vet was willing to take a discount to do so. However, Dallas was not open to that prospect — even at lower rates than the corners ended up signing for — and moved on, Hill adds.

Butler ended up signing a one-year, $3.25M deal with the Cardinals. Bouye joined the Panthers late last week, agreeing to a two-year, $7M pact. Butler’s contract is fully guaranteed, while Bouye will receive $3.5M fully guaranteed. That will tie him to the Panthers for the 2021 season.

The Cowboys communicated to both defenders they did not have the money to sign them, Hill notes. The team has added a host of free agents, but they have largely been on low-end contracts. As of Monday, Dallas holds just less than $8M in cap space. Much of that will go to signing draft picks.

Dallas drafted Trevon Diggs in last year’s second round and used a fourth-round pick on Reggie Robinson. Slot corner Anthony Brown is signed through the 2022 season. Lewis re-signed a three-year, $13.5M deal; only $4.75M of that is fully guaranteed. Despite these investments, the Cowboys are expected to add a corner early in the draft, Hill adds, perhaps with their No. 10 overall pick.