Three big names the Dallas Cowboys should avoid in free agency

With less than $9M available under the NFL's new salary cap, the Cowboys can’t afford mistakes when it comes to free agency. These talented players carry too much risk.

RB Devin Singletary

With free agent running back Tony Pollard projected to see offers in the two-year, $20M range, Dallas could be looking for a bargain at the position. Singletary would cost much less but may not be worth the price.

Singletary led the Texans in rushing with 898 yards and four touchdowns after beating out Dameon Pierce for the starting job, but his 4.2 yards per carry average was the lowest of his five-year career.

The 26-year-old running back had just two touchdowns over the team’s last five games including the regular season finale where he averaged 2.6 yards per attempt. With a projected price tag of $4.25M per year, he’d be great as part of a committee but not the lead back the Cowboys need.

LT Trent Brown

If Dallas loses perennial Pro Bowler Tyron Smith, finding a new left tackle should be the team’s top priority. The former Patriot would be an obvious choice if not for ongoing weight issues throughout his career.

Currently, Brown is listed at 370 pounds, but by his own admission, he’s gotten up to 387 pounds in the past. Now wonder if the Patriots added weight clauses to his contract in each of the past two seasons.

They say everything’s bigger in Texas but given his projected $15M price tag, Dallas can’t afford to take a chance on the soon-to-be 30-year-old veteran.

DT D.J. Reader

Neville Gallimore and Johnathan Hankins are both free agents and rookie tackle Mazi Smith underwhelmed last season. After the Chiefs’ Chris Jones, Reader could be the best (and most expensive) free-agent tackle available. Cincinnati’s talented interior lineman could cost a team over $45M over the next three years but like Brown, comes with risk.