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The Dallas Cowboys will look different in 2024. Dan Quinn is now the head coach of the Washington Commanders, he took Joe Whitt Jr. with him, but I expect the Cowboys to fill those gaps rather quickly.
Coaching aside, and before the Cowboys go “all in” as Jerry Jones suggested last week, they have a handful of players that I would like to see back for another run next year.
Let me rank a handful of the 16 unrestricted free agents for the Cowboys. Tell me what you think.
The Cowboys need to take care of the important players of their own before they go sign anyone else.
.@mspears96 has been waiting for three years for Jerry Jones to say this
pic.twitter.com/J7YV0m17Ha
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) January 30, 2024
Johnathan Hankins
With Tyron Smith aging, and his ability to stay on the field for all 18 games, Johnathan Hankins is first on my list.
Cowboys key free agents this off-season: RB Tony Pollard, OT Tyron Smith, CB Stephon Gilmore, C Tyler Biadasz, DE Dorance Armstrong Jr., S Jayron Kearse, CB Jourdan Lewis, DT Johnathan Hankins, DT Neville Gallimore, DE Dante Fowler Jr., OT Chuma Edoga, CB Noah Igbinoghene, RB…
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 15, 2024
The defensive tackle is a key to any chance the defense has in stopping the run.
I don't expect Mazi Smith to make a year two jump. They will need help alongside Osa Odighizuwa.
Dorance Armstrong
Dorance Armstrong is second on my list.
The Cowboy's defense line is really good, and Armstrong is one of the underrated players on this roster.
The problem is he may be hard to keep around with Micah Parsons , CeeDee Lamb, and others about to get paid.
Dorance Armstrong finished second in sacks on the Cowboys with 7.5 while playing 41.7% of the snaps. He had 8.5 sacks last year playing 47.3% of the snaps. He is just 26 (turns 27 in June) and is a free agent in March. Key part of the defense.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) January 9, 2024
He ranked second on the team in sacks in the last two seasons.
He is so easily forgotten because of Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, and even Sam Williams.
Tyler Biadasz & Tyron Smith
Yes, they are both together. Tyron Smith is aging and has not played a full season since 2015.
I expect the Cowboys to draft his replacement in the first round in this year's draft.
Still, there is no guarantee that a rookie will make as big of an impact as Smith can when he is out there.
Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb, RG Zack Martin, CB Da'Ron BLand and K Brandon Aubrey were named to the AP All-Pro first team.
QB Dak Prescott, LT Tyron Smith, LG Tyler Smith, edge Micah Parsons and P Bryan Anger were voted to second team.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) January 12, 2024
If Smith wants to play another season with the Cowboys my guess is he would do it on a team-friendly deal.
Tyler Biadasz is an above-average center. If they don't resign him, then who starts there next year, Brock Hoffman? HARD pass.
The Cowboys need to make sure one of the most important positions on the football field is getting average to above-average play, and resigning Biadasz would be a good idea.
Tony Pollard
Tony Pollard is last on my list.
Pollard has his chance to prove he was an every-down back and the Cowboys had one of the worst ground games in football.
He is a good player, but the running back position doesn't have value anymore.
Free agent RBs coming up this offseason:
– Saquon Barkley
– Josh Jacobs
– Derrick Henry
– Tony Pollard
– Austin Ekeler
– D'Andre Swift
– Zack Moss
– A.J. Dillon
– Devin Singletary
– Ezekiel Elliott
– Clyde Edwards-Helaire
– Antonio Gibson
– J.K.…— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 4, 2024
Like Tryon Smith, if they can get him to come back on a friendly deal, that would be smart.
The Cowboys can get a younger more explosive back in the second or third round, but if they signed Derrick Henry I wouldn't hate it.
Some may not agree with my list, but I think these are the most important players for the Cowboys to take care of before they sign from the outside.
Stephon Gilmore is another name Dallas could bring back, but hopefully, Trevon Diggs recovers from his ACL injury and is ready to go for next season.
More must-reads:
- Fantasy expert offers blunt take on Eagles RB Will Shipley
- ESPN analyst offers incredibly bold Jets prediction for 2024 season
- The 'Super Bowl starting QBs' quiz
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