2021 Cowboys Free Agency Thread...

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Cowboys offseason preview: 20 free agents who make some sense for Dallas

By Jon Machota Jan 18, 2021

NFL free agency unofficially begins on March 15; that’s when teams are allowed to contact players and enter into contract negotiations. Those players then can officially sign with teams at 3 p.m. CT on March 17.

The Cowboys’ biggest offseason move will involve quarterback Dak Prescott. Either they will get a contract extension finalized, or he will be franchise-tagged for a second consecutive season.

His contract is important to the Cowboys for multiple reasons. Not only does it involve their most valuable player, but it also impacts how they will be able to spend on other free agents.

It’s still unclear what the 2021 salary cap number will be. The total amount teams are permitted to spend generally increases each season. But that changed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has reduced league revenue with the limited number of fans allowed to attend games.

The 2020 salary cap was $198 million. It was $188 million in 2019 and $177 million in 2018. OverTheCap.com has their current 2021 cap sheets based on a $176 million cap for 2021. It will likely end up falling somewhere between that number and the 2020 cap number.

At a $176 million cap, the Cowboys would be looking at about $23 million in salary-cap space, according to Over The Cap. That is 13th-most in the NFL, with the Jacksonville Jaguars having the most at just over $73 million. Washington would have the most in the NFC East at $43.5 million. Of course, that projection does not account for what the Cowboys will pay Prescott.

“(It’s) one of the things we’re going to have to see where we are, and it will affect all 32 (teams),” Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said earlier this month on 105.3 The Fan. “It will affect our team. It’s just what the consequences of the virus have had on our cap situation going forward, and where is that salary cap going to be? What kind of cap are we going to manage into?

“All of those things will play a role in terms of players that we keep that are under contract, what potentially we can sign. Obviously, Dak being at the top of that list, and then going from there.”

If Prescott and the Cowboys agree to an extension, his immediate cap hit would be reduced, meaning Dallas would have more space to spend elsewhere in 2021. If they don’t reach an extension and Prescott plays under another tag, his roughly $37 million guaranteed contract would have to be absorbed in 2021.

There are many moving parts, but that’s not going to prevent us from taking a look ahead to what could potentially be out there for the Cowboys in 2021 free agency.
Including Prescott, Dallas has 17 unrestricted free agents, four restricted free agents and one exclusive rights free agent.

Unrestricted: Prescott, DT Eli Ankou, CB Chidobe Awuzie, TE Blake Bell, WR Noah Brown, DL Tyrone Crawford, QB Andy Dalton, OT Cameron Erving, CB C.J. Goodwin, LS L.P. Ladouceur, LB Sean Lee, CB Jourdan Lewis, C Joe Looney, LB Justin March, DE Aldon Smith, LB Joe Thomas, S Xavier Woods.

Restricted: OT Greg Senat, WR Malik Turner, WR Cedrick Wilson, DT Antwaun Woods.

Exclusive rights: DL Ron’Dell Carter.

As you should be used to by now, the Cowboys aren’t expected to be big spenders on free agents from other teams. They haven’t made a significant March signing since Brandon Carr inked a five-year, $50.1 million contract in 2012. The biggest since then has been Greg Hardy’s one-year, $11.3 million deal in 2015.
This is generally the time of year when the Cowboys shop for bargains. With that in mind, I’ve put together a list of 20 players who could be of some interest to Dallas in the next couple of months.

Considering that most of the help is needed on defense, that’s where we’ll focus today.

Safety:
Justin Simmons, Broncos. His price will probably be too high for the Cowboys’ budget. But if they really want to fix the safety position, Simmons would be the answer. The 27-year-old had nine interceptions and 24 passes defended over the last two seasons in Denver.

Anthony Harris, Vikings. The Cowboys have their strong safety in Donovan Wilson. Now they need to find a free safety to cover on the back end. Harris, 29, didn’t have any interceptions in 2020 but had six in 2019.

Marcus Williams, Saints. Normally I wouldn’t even consider the top free-agent safeties for the Cowboys. It’s clearly a position they have not valued for over a decade. But maybe the addition of defensive coordinator Dan Quinn somewhat changes their approach. Williams, 24, has tallied at least three interceptions in three of his four NFL seasons.

Marcus Maye, Jets. This isn’t expected to be a very strong safety draft class. If the Cowboys don’t think they’ll be able to get a Day One starter out of college, maybe a veteran addition makes more sense. Maye has started 54 games in his four NFL seasons. He had two interceptions and 11 passes defended in 2020.

Malik Hooker, Colts. The 15th overall pick in 2017 suffered a torn Achilles in September. In the three previous seasons, he totaled seven interceptions.

Keanu Neal, Falcons. He’s only intercepted two passes in five seasons, but Quinn liked Neal enough to draft him in the first round in 2016. Neal has suffered a torn Achilles and a torn ACL in the last three seasons.

John Johnson III, Rams. The 2017 third-round pick has eight interceptions and 32 passes defended in four seasons.

Cornerback:

Richard Sherman, 49ers. NFL teams usually aren’t going out of their way to sign 33-year-old cornerbacks, but the five-time Pro Bowler was a major piece on Quinn’s defenses in Seattle. If Dallas’ new DC wants a veteran to lead the back end of a young secondary, this could be a good fit.



Photo of Richard Sherman: Joe Scarnici/Getty Images

Kevin King, Packers. The Packers used the 33rd overall pick on King in 2017 when Mike McCarthy was the team’s head coach. The Cowboys also liked King entering the draft. He didn’t intercept any passes in 2020, but he had five picks and 15 passes defended in 2019. Trevon Diggs is locked into one starting corner spot in Dallas. But what does the team do about the others? Anthony Brown is under contract for two more years. Awuzie and Lewis are free agents. It seems like a good bet that Dallas will draft another cornerback, possibly as high as 10th overall in April. But that doesn’t mean signing a free agent in March should be completely ruled out.

Defensive tackle:

Dalvin Tomlinson, Giants. He’ll probably be too rich for the Cowboys, but he’d definitely upgrade a position of need. Tomlinson has started every game over his four years in the league. He has seven sacks, 15 tackles for loss and 19 QB hits over the last two seasons.

Gerald McCoy, Cowboys. Technically, he wasn’t with any team during the 2020 season. McCoy, who will turn 33 next month, suffered a ruptured quadriceps during training camp in August. The Cowboys released him shortly after, but they haven’t ruled out a potential return for the six-time Pro Bowler in 2021.

Christian Covington, Bengals. He was a reserve defensive tackle for the Cowboys in 2019, playing in all 16 games. Covington, 27, started 14 games for the Bengals last season, totaling a career-high 39 tackles. Trysten Hill and Neville Gallimore are the current favorites to start at defensive tackle for the Cowboys in 2021. Look for Antwaun Woods to return as well and factor into the mix. But they still need help at the position.

Mike Daniels, Bengals. The 31-year-old played seven seasons for McCarthy in Green Bay. He made the Pro Bowl in 2017. Daniels has dealt with multiple injuries over the last few years, but he started 11 games this past season for the Bengals.

Jack Crawford, Titans. He played on Tennessee’s 3-4 defensive line in 2020, starting nine games. Quinn used him in Atlanta as a reserve defensive tackle in his 4-3 scheme from 2017 to 2019. Crawford started 11 games for Quinn in 2018, totaling a career-high six sacks. He played defensive end while with the Cowboys from 2014 to 2016, starting 10 games in 2016.

Defensive end:

Takkarist McKinley, Raiders. Had the Falcons not drafted McKinley with the 26th overall pick in 2017, the Cowboys would have drafted him at 28. Instead, Dallas ended up with Taco Charlton, and neither edge rusher worked out for the team that drafted them. Quinn drafted McKinley, so if he’s healthy and Quinn thinks there’s still something there, McKinley could make some sense at a reasonable price. He had six sacks in 2017 and seven in 2018.

Benson Mayowa, Seahawks. Here’s another former Cowboy who played briefly for Quinn. Mayowa was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Seahawks in 2013, when Quinn was the team’s defensive coordinator. Mayowa had a team-high six sacks for the Cowboys in 2016. He had seven sacks for the Raiders in 2019 and then six in 2020 for the Seahawks.

Kerry Hyder, 49ers. The 29-year-old was a reserve for the Cowboys in 2019. He started 14 games for the 49ers in 2020, totaling a career-high 8.5 sacks.

Linebacker:

Jarrad Davis, Lions. As of today, Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch seem to be a good bet to start for the Cowboys in 2021. But Smith’s play has dropped off the last two seasons, and Vander Esch has been unable to stay healthy. Adding a linebacker with starting experience makes sense. Davis was the 21st overall pick in 2017. He has struggled the last two seasons after having 100 tackles and six sacks in 2018. Maybe a new team could get him back on track.

Reggie Ragland, Lions. He was the 41st overall pick in the 2016 draft. After spending three seasons in Kansas City, including starting seven games for the 2019 Super Bowl champs, Ragland signed a one-year deal with Detroit. He played in all 16 games in 2020, starting six, finishing with 52 total tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack and three QB hits.

Damien Wilson, Chiefs. He was drafted in the fourth round by the Cowboys in 2015 and went on to never miss a game in his four seasons as mostly a reserve in Dallas. Wilson signed a two-year deal with Kansas City in 2019. He has started 29 games over the last two seasons for the Super Bowl champs.

 

[Rev]

Seems like Machota is all in on bringing back former failed players.

 

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Top NFL free agents for 2021: Ranking the best 50 players potentially on the market this offseason

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  Kevin Seifert ESPN Staff Writer

The 2021 NFL free-agency class will hit the market amid an unprecedented environment. For only the second time in its history, the league is expected to lower its salary-cap number from the previous season because of lost revenues due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After seven consecutive years of $10 million increases, teams will have less space to re-sign their own players -- and those who make it to the open market will find less interest in precedent-setting new contracts.

What won't change, however, is the level to which teams can remake their short-term fortunes with prudent and targeted decisions. So as much of the NFL world focuses on the conclusion of the playoffs, now is a great time to start looking at the potential of this class. Our annual January ranking of the 50 best free agents comes with the usual caveat: Many of these players will either return to their incumbent teams or receive a movement-prohibiting tag long before the market opens.

This list is also weighted to reflect the approach we often see in free agency. Teams always will prefer younger players coming off their rookie contracts. Running backs usually are devalued, because of their shorter career peaks and the continuing shift toward the passing game. Potential pass-rushers are always sought, regardless of their past productivity, and no one cares about the age of left tackles.

One recent shift in league thinking is reflected here, too: Players coming off serious injuries aren't necessarily fated to one-year "prove it" deals. There is enough recent history to suggest that teams are better at anticipating full recoveries and will sometimes offer competitive deals. We'll update this list later this spring in anticipation of the scheduled March 17 market opening, but for now, here are the top 50 free agents for this offseason.

Jump to the top-ranked ...
QB | RB | WR | TE | OL
Edge | DT | LB | CB | S​

1. Dak Prescott, QB
2020 team: Dallas Cowboys | Age entering 2021 season: 28
To this point, there has been no reason to project long-term health implications from Prescott's season-ending ankle injury. Assuming that remains the case, Prescott remains what every quarterback-needy team dreams of: a signal-caller who is highly productive, under 30 years old and universally respected as a leader. And if anything, he elevated those credentials in five games this season, averaging a career-high 371 passing yards per game. He also produced a Total QBR of 78.4, which would have been among the top five in the league if he had enough plays to qualify. But through another franchise tag or via a longer-term deal, it's difficult to imagine the Cowboys letting him depart.

2. Trent Williams, OT
2020 team: San Francisco 49ers | Age entering 2021 season: 33
Williams revived his career in 2020 after finally engineering a trade away from Washington. He started 14 games for the 49ers and reminded most observers why he has been considered one of the game's top left tackles. His age and injury history will be a factor, and in the end, the 49ers might decide he is too valuable to let hit the market.

3. Leonard Williams, Edge/DT
2020 team: New York Giants | Age entering 2021 season: 27

The past year has been awfully good for Williams, who was traded to the Giants in 2019 and found a home in new coach Joe Judge's defense. His 11.5 sacks were a career high and more than he had amassed in the previous three seasons combined. And now Williams has enormous leverage over the Giants, who decided not to sign him to an extension before finalizing the trade. He spent 2020 as their franchised player.

4. Brandon Scherff, G
2020 team: Washington Football Team | Age entering 2021 season: 29
After signing his franchise tag, Scherff went on to start 13 games in 2020 and earn his fourth Pro Bowl honor. Given the difficulty of developing high-end offensive linemen, it's hard to believe that Washington wants to let him go. But as he approaches 29, and having missed at least two games in each of the past four seasons, the negotiation could be complex. Regardless, there would be multiple suitors if and when he would become available.

5. Hunter Henry, TE
2020 team: Los Angeles Chargers | Age entering 2021 season: 26
Henry caught a career-high 60 passes under the Chargers' franchise tag in 2020, eighth most among NFL tight ends. In two years since returning from a torn ACL, Henry has proved to be a productive player whose potential for growth is unclear. Could he approach the productivity of a Travis Kelce or Darren Waller if he were in a system that allowed for it? Or is he a second-tier receiving tight end? In either event, many teams would cherish the mismatches he would bring to their offenses.

6. Yannick Ngakoue, Edge
2020 team: Baltimore Ravens | Age entering 2021 season: 26
An intense desire to leave Jacksonville last summer led Ngakoue to Minnesota and finally Baltimore during the course of the season. He finished the season with eight sacks, the fourth of his five seasons to have finished below double-digits in that category. But young and even modestly effective edge rushers are always among the most sought-after free agents, and Ngakoue will have plenty of suitors.

7. Bud Dupree, Edge
2020 team: Pittsburgh Steelers | Age entering 2021 season: 27
Since the start of the 2019 season, Dupree has more sacks (19.5) than all but seven players in the NFL -- and that's despite missing the final five games of this season because of a torn ACL. A significant injury in a contract year isn't ideal, but it's also not the market buster that it once was. Assuming there are no reported complications, a pass-rusher like Dupree is going to find significant interest on the open market.
ESPN Illustration

8. Kenny Golladay, WR
2020 team: Detroit Lions | Age entering 2021 season: 27
Golladay's contract year was a bust, as injuries forced him to miss 11 games. When healthy, however, Golladay showed that he can be a big-time downfield No. 1 receiver. He combined for 17 touchdown receptions in the 2018 and 2019 seasons, tied for the NFL's seventh most over that span.

9. Justin Simmons, S
2020 team: Denver Broncos | Age entering 2021 season: 27
Simmons intercepted a career-high five passes as the Broncos' franchise player in 2020. His 16 interceptions since the start of the 2016 season are tied for the fifth most in the NFL over that period. And Pro Football Focus credited him with 28 defensive stops in each of the past two seasons, meaning he is a factor both as a playmaker and as defender near the line of scrimmage.

10. Allen Robinson II, WR
2020 team: Chicago Bears | Age entering 2021 season: 28
Since the start of the 2019 season, Robinson has caught 200 passes -- more than all but three NFL pass-catchers. And he did it while playing in one of the NFL's worst passing offenses over that period; the Bears ranked No. 27 in team QBR and No. 26 in yards, despite ranking No. 11 in attempts. Imagine what Robinson could have done, or could do, with better quarterback play. Plenty of teams in the market for a receiver will be doing just that in the coming months.

11. Jonnu Smith, TE
2020 team: Tennessee Titans | Age entering 2021 season: 26
Smith has increased his receptions, yardage and touchdown totals in each of his four seasons with the Titans. He caught eight scoring passes in 2020, tied for fourth most by a tight end, as the Titans finally began focusing on him in the red zone. Smith seems like the kind of mismatch nightmare that teams salivate over in free agency.

12. Trey Hendrickson, Edge
2020 team: New Orleans Saints | Age entering 2021 season: 26
A young pass-rusher who put up 13.5 sacks in his first season as a starter, Hendrickson caught many eyes this year. With many of their top defensive players approaching or exceeding 30, it would seem wise for the Saints to find a way to retain him. But their annual cap crunch will make that a challenge.

13. Chris Godwin, WR
2020 team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Age entering 2021 season: 25
Godwin's numbers dropped a bit in 2020 as he played through multiple injuries and adjusted to a new quarterback. But he has plenty of productive tape from the past three years. In fact, only eight players have caught more touchdown passes than Godwin (23) since the start of the 2018 season.

14. Aaron Jones, RB
2020 team: Green Bay Packers | Age entering 2021 season: 26

Of the heralded 2017 draft class of running backs, only Dalvin Cook has more career rushing yards (3,661) than Jones (3,364). Only Alvin Kamara has more rushing touchdowns (43 vs. 37). But unlike fellow class members Kamara, Cook, Christian McCaffrey, Joe Mixon and Tarik Cohen, Jones has not signed a contract extension. The looming expiration of his rookie deal will test the annual running back conundrum. How much value would the Packers lose if they let him leave and turn over the position to 2020 draft choice AJ Dillon? And how much of a market would there be for a back like Jones with 782 touches worth of wear on his body?

15. Shaquil Barrett, Edge
2020 team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Age entering 2021 season: 28
No one expected Barrett to match his wild 2019 production of 19.5 sacks, but his eight-sack season in 2020 made clear he remains a pass-rushing obstacle who must be accounted for. After a year on the Buccaneers' franchise tag, it will be interesting to see if he will get the opportunity to market himself.

16. Taylor Moton, OT
2020 team: Carolina Panthers | Age entering 2021 season: 27
He hasn't made a Pro Bowl or gained much notoriety outside of Carolina, but in three years as a starter, Moton has developed into more than a serviceable starting tackle. The Panthers might need to apply the franchise tag to ensure his return.

17. Corey Linsley, C
2020 team: Green Bay Packers | Age entering 2021 season: 30
Linsley earned first-team All-Pro honors in his seventh season and would be a worthy target for any team hoping to elevate its offensive line. With Linsley on the roster in 2017, the Packers allowed JC Tretter to leave as a free agent. But there is no obvious replacement on the roster this go around.

18. Corey Davis, WR
2020 team: Tennessee Titans | Age entering 2021 season: 26
Davis was eclipsed by A.J. Brown as the Titans' No. 1 receiver, and in four years he has caught a total of 11 touchdown passes while never producing a 1,000-yard season. The Titans declined his fifth-year option, and he might be best served with a change of scenery. As long as they're competent in the passing game, big receivers will always find interest.

19. Lavonte David, LB
2020 team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Age entering 2021 season: 31
On the one hand, it's hard to imagine a 31-year-old linebacker generating a ton of interest in free agency, especially if his own team has decided against re-signing him. But the fact of the matter is that he is still playing a pretty high level, especially in pass defense. He might have to go year to year from a contract perspective, but he should certainly be considered a high-level starter for 2021.

20. Joe Thuney, G
2020 team: New England Patriots | Age entering 2021 season: 28
The Patriots used the franchise tag on Thuney for 2020 and got another 16-start season. He hasn't missed a start since the Patriots made him a third-round draft pick in 2016 and would be among the most reliable free agents available if he hits the market. This poignant photo, taken as he sat at midfield after the final game of the 2020 season, suggests he knows he is probably moving on from New England.

21. Alejandro Villanueva, OT
2020 team: Pittsburgh Steelers | Age entering 2021 season: 32
Even if his best days are behind him, Villanueva plays a position that is very difficult to replace in free agency. Teams consider it a win to find a serviceable left tackle in free agency, and he certainly qualifies in that regard.

22. A.J. Green, WR
2020 team: Cincinnati Bengals | Age entering 2021 season: 33

The good news is that Green, a seven-time Pro Bowler, played in all 16 games this season after missing all of 2019 and seven games in 2018. The bad news is that he had the least productive year of his career, with 47 receptions for 523 yards and two touchdowns. Part of that can be attributed to the Bengals' offensive scheme, which required him to share targets with rookie Tee Higgins, as well as their quarterback issues after Joe Burrow was lost due to injuries. But those numbers -- and Green's age -- will make for a complicated set of negotiations with whomever pursues him this spring.

23. Matt Milano, LB
2020 team: Buffalo Bills | Age entering 2021 season: 27
Not too many people outside of Buffalo have heard of Milano, a fifth-round draft pick in 2017. But people who watch the Bills closely know he has developed into a reliable three-down linebacker who can be counted on to play the run, perform well in pass coverage and even rush the passer on occasion. He would have a sneaky active market.

24. Haason Reddick, Edge
2020 team: Arizona Cardinals | Age entering 2021 season: 26
What a career turnaround Reddick managed in 2020. A first-round pick in 2016 as an inside linebacker, Reddick had his fifth-year option declined for 2020. In a contract year, he moved to outside linebacker and then burst into the national consciousness with five sacks in a Week 14 win over the Giants. In total, he racked up 7.5 sacks in the Cardinals' final four regular-season games. There is plenty of evaluation still needed, but at the very least, Reddick is rolling off a big contract season.

25. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR
2020 team: Pittsburgh Steelers | Age entering 2021 season: 24
There's no other way to put it: Smith-Schuster had a confounding contract year. Playing in the Steelers' short passing game, he caught 97 passes -- ninth most in the NFL -- but averaged only 8.6 yards per catch. That was the third lowest among the wide receivers who caught at least 50 passes in 2020. The performance isn't likely to change teams' perceptions of his potential as a downfield receiver, but it could prompt at least a closer look.

26. Desmond King II, CB
2020 team: Tennessee Titans | Age entering 2021 season: 26
King started eight combined games last season for the Chargers and Titans, where he was traded at midseason. At times in his career, he has been an exceptional slot cornerback. The midseason trade suggests that acclaim was not universally held.

27. Curtis Samuel, WR
2020 team: Carolina Panthers | Age entering 2021 season: 25
Samuel set career highs for receptions (77) and yards (851) in 2020, while also emerging as an intriguing multi-positional player who got 41 carries out of various formations. He rushed for 200 yards and two touchdowns, while converting 10 first downs, and would be closely scrutinized by teams with open-minded schemes. Among players classified as wide receivers, only the Bears' Cordarrelle Patterson finished with more rushing yards than Samuel.

28. Shaquill Griffin, CB
2020 team: Seattle Seahawks | Age entering 2021 season: 26
Griffin intercepted a career-high three passes in 2020, his fourth season as a starter in Seattle. Regardless of his interception numbers, though, he has consistently been around the ball. ESPN Stats & Information has credited him with 39 pass breakups -- passes that he either defended, tipped or batted down. That tied him for the 14th most in the NFL over the past four seasons.

29. Marcus Williams, S
2020 team: New Orleans Saints | Age entering 2021 season: 24
Unfortunately known for his missed tackle in the 2017 Minneapolis Miracle, Williams developed into a reliable playmaker in the back end of the Saints' defense. He has intercepted 13 passes in his four seasons, better than all but seven defenders whose primary position was safety over that span.

30. Will Fuller V, WR
2020 team: Houston Texans | Age entering 2021 season: 27

There haven't been many more confounding players than Fuller over the past five years. He has never played a 16-game season and has missed 27 games over that span because of injuries and a suspension. When on the field, however, Fuller has been one of the NFL's top deep threats. His average of 9.3 yards gained per target ranks among the top 10 in the NFL among qualified receivers over the past five seasons. Teams will have to decide how to balance his availability issues with his obvious production advantages.

31. Patrick Peterson, CB
2020 team: Arizona Cardinals | Age entering 2021 season: 31
You'll find little disagreement that Peterson has played better in his career than he did in 2020. Pro Football Focus calculated that quarterbacks had a 96.2 passer rating when throwing in his direction. But there are rarely even competent cornerbacks available on the free-agent market. If the Cardinals or Peterson decide to move on, there would be interest by default.

32. John Johnson III, S
2020 team: Los Angeles Rams | Age entering 2021 season: 25
Johnson has had an up-and-down career since the Rams made him a third-round draft pick in 2017, but he played a big role in the Rams' defensive resurgence in 2020 and appears to have helped himself in a contract year. He missed 10 games in 2019 because of injuries but otherwise has appeared in all 16 games for each of the other three seasons of his career.

33. Marcus Maye, S
2020 team: New York Jets | Age entering 2021 season: 28
A four-year starter, Maye set career highs with 11 passes defended and two forced fumbles, to go along with two interceptions, in 2020. He has shown a level of position versatility that the Jets utilize well; Pro Football Focus has charted Maye as a traditional free safety, as a box safety and in the slot corner position during various points of his career.

34. Matthew Judon, Edge
2020 team: Baltimore Ravens | Age entering 2021 season: 29
Judon managed six sacks, his lowest output since 2016, after the Ravens applied their franchise tag on him for 2020. A second franchise tag seems unlikely. Pass-rushers are always of interest on the open market, but with the expected salary-cap decrease, it's unclear how much money will be available to the second tier of those available.

35. Leonard Floyd, Edge
2020 team: Los Angeles Rams | Age entering 2021 season: 28
Floyd's past 12 months show just how much a change of scenery via free agency can affect a career. The Bears gave up on him after the 2019 season, and on a one-year contract with the Rams, Floyd recorded a career-high 10.5 sacks. It helps to be playing on a defensive line that includes Aaron Donald, but Floyd certainly earned some future money -- from someone -- in his 2020 campaign.

36. Anthony Harris, S
2020 team: Minnesota Vikings | Age entering 2021 season: 29
The Vikings made Harris a surprise target of their franchise tag after a six-interception season in 2019. Like the rest of the Vikings' defense, Harris did not match his previous year's performance and finished without a single interception. But he remains a smart and savvy defensive back with experience in a successful defense.

37. Larry Ogunjobi, DT
2020 team: Cleveland Browns | Age entering 2021 season: 27
A three-year starter, Ogunjobi has been a force at times in the interior line. He might be better suited to playing the 3-technique in a 4-3 defense, rather than the nose tackle, but he has plenty of tape doing both.

38. Romeo Okwara, Edge
2020 team: Detroit Lions | Age entering 2021 season: 26
A waiver claim in 2018, Okwara produced an eye-opening season in 2020 for a team that fell totally from the national radar. He recorded 10 sacks as a part-time starter. Generally speaking, 26-year-old players with a 10-sack season tend to elicit significant interest. It wasn't a statistical fluke, either. He recorded 7.5 sacks in 2018.

39. Chidobe Awuzie, CB
2020 team: Dallas Cowboys | Age entering 2021 season: 26

Awuzie hasn't been much of a playmaker in terms of interceptions, having recorded a total of four in 49 career games, and he missed half of the 2020 season because of a hamstring injury. But he has been a reliable player when on the field. So it will be worth watching if the Cowboys -- whose defense allowed 29.9 points per game in 2020 -- decide he is part of their solution or has been part of their problem.

40. William Jackson III, CB
2020 team: Cincinnati Bengals | Age entering 2021 season: 28
Jackson has had some solid moments for the Bengals over the past four years after missing his rookie season due to injury, but 2020 was not his best. The Bengals seemed to telegraph their long-term plans for him by signing a pair of veteran free agents at his position -- Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander -- last offseason.

41. Marvin Jones Jr., WR
2020 team: Detroit Lions | Age entering 2021 season: 31
Jones had his most reliable and productive season in four years, catching 76 passes for 978 yards and nine touchdowns while starting all 16 games for the Lions. It seems inevitable that he'll move on. Not every team is in the market for an over-30 receiver, but Jones still has playmaking ability.

42. Nelson Agholor, WR
2020 team: Las Vegas Raiders | Age entering 2021 season: 28
Agholor revived his career as a true downfield receiver in the Raiders' offense, finishing the season ranked No. 2 in the NFL in average yards per catch (18.7) and yards per target (15.4). He still struggled with drops, ranking No. 8 with an 8.6% drop rate, but he proved without a doubt to be the kind of deep threat many envisioned when he entered the league five years ago.

43. Richard Sherman, CB
2020 team: San Francisco 49ers | Age entering 2021 season: 33
Sherman is probably in the year-to-year phase of his career, given his age and his 11-game stint on injured reserve last season because of a calf injury. Some teams will likely write him off, but because there is no reason to think his injury will loom into 2021, Sherman merits a spot on this list given his still-present coverage skills.

44. Melvin Ingram III, Edge
2020 team: Los Angeles Chargers | Age entering 2021 season: 32
Ingram's foray into free agency will be tricky. His age and a mostly lost season in 2020 are real downsides. On the other hand, flawless pass-rushers never get to the market. There are always reasons, and they don't necessarily hold them back moving forward. Someone will bet that Ingram still has some good years left in him.

45. Gerald Everett, TE
2020 team: Los Angeles Rams | Age entering 2021 season: 27
Everett has been the Rams' second tight end for most of his career, but his production, as well as the value teams place on tight ends who can exploit mismatches, make him a free agent worth watching. He set career highs with 41 receptions for 417 yards this season in the Rams' scheme.

46. Carl Lawson, Edge
2020 team: Cincinnati Bengals | Age entering 2021 season: 26
Lawson has never matched the production of his rookie season, when he recorded 8.5 sacks after the Bengals made him a fourth-round draft pick in 2017. But he became a starter in 2020, in conjunction with the departure of veteran Carlos Dunlap, and turned in the kind of performance that will conjure significant interest if he gets into the market. ESPN tracked him with a pressure rate of 10.1%, good for 16th best in the league.

47. Jadeveon Clowney, Edge
2020 team: Tennessee Titans | Age entering 2021 season: 28

There's no other way to put it: Clowney has had two really weird years. He recorded just three sacks in 13 games for the Seahawks in 2019 and then struggled to reach an agreement during free agency last spring. He eventually signed with the Titans and didn't record a single sack in eight games before a knee injury ended his season. Clowney did bring pressure on 10.9% of his rushes, good for No. 10 in the league, and there is no reason to think his career is over.

48. Andy Dalton, QB
2020 team: Dallas Cowboys | Age entering 2021 season: 33
It went largely unnoticed, but Dalton turned in an above-average performance for a backup after returning in Week 12 from a stint on the COVID-19 list. Over that span, he led the Cowboys to a 3-3 record, throwing 10 touchdown passes to four interceptions and ranking No. 15 in QBR (61.4). He's not likely to receive a starting job outright in free agency, but of the quarterbacks who are currently available, he might be the best bet for a role as either a short-term starter or a backup who would compete in training camp.

49. Cam Newton, QB
2020 team: New England Patriots | Age entering 2021 season: 32
There is no disputing why Newton held the Patriots' starting job throughout 2020: He was the best quarterback on their roster. That's not the same as saying he is an unquestionably qualified NFL starter heading into 2021. He finished the season with a 47.1 QBR, No. 30 out of 33 quarterbacks who qualified for the final rankings. He was one of two players on the list who threw more interceptions (10) than touchdowns (8). But in a relatively thin market, even a potential starting quarterback merits a spot on this list.

50. Eric Wilson, LB
2020 team: Minnesota Vikings | Age entering 2021 season: 26
Wilson went from being a valuable backup to a 15-game starter in 2020, filling in for the injured Anthony Barr. He has enough good tape, with 122 tackles and three interceptions, to either tempt the Vikings to re-sign him as a starter or generate under-the-radar interest on the free-agent market.
Bonus free-agent names to watch:

• T.Y. Hilton, WR
• Jameis Winston, QB
• Rob Gronkowski, TE
• Philip Rivers, QB
• Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB
• Mike Hilton, CB
• Russell Okung, OT
• Xavier Woods, S
• Quinton Dunbar, CB
• Jayon Brown, LB
• Troy Hill, CB
• Brian Poole, CB
• K.J. Wright, LB
• Dalvin Tomlinson, DT
• Sammy Watkins, WR
• Cam Robinson, OT
• Mitchell Trubisky, QB
• Daryl Williams, OT/G
• David Andrews, CB
• Denico Autry, Edge
• Jacoby Brissett, QB
• Chris Carson, RB
• Ndamukong Suh, DT
• Jason Verrett, CB
• Kenyan Drake, RB

 

[shoop]

Would like Simmons but I could see this brain trust bringing in Hooker on a prove-it deal instead. I like the player but the injuries are concerning.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Would like Simmons but I could see this brain trust bringing in Hooker on a prove-it deal instead. I like the player but the injuries are concerning.

Yeah really liked Hooker in the draft but constant injuries make him unreliable.

 

[Rev]

Yeah really liked Hooker in the draft but constant injuries make him unreliable.

Jerry just heard you mention a bargain reclamation project.

 

[Simpleton]

Here's the real breakdown of free agent targets (non-current Cowboys), tiered in a way that will make sense to Cowboys fans:

Never in a million years unless Stephen croaks tomorrow:

Justin Simmons
Yannick Ngakoue
Trey Hendrickson
Matt Judon
Shaquil Barrett
Leonard Williams

Maybe after Stephen is through 2 bottles of Blue (but ultimately it still won't happen):

Haason Reddick
Eric Wilson
Anthony Walker Jr.
Dalvin Tomlinson
Leonard Floyd
DJ Jones
Anthony Harris
John Johnson
Marcus Williams
Matt Milano
Larry Ogunjobi
Denico Autry
Jayon Brown
Avery Williamson
Melvin Ingram (only because of injury)
Sheldon Rankins
Bud Dupree (only because of injury)
Marcus Maye
Da'Quan Jones
Carl Lawson
Romeo Okwara
Adam Butler
KJ Wright
Roy Robertson-Harris
Neville Hewitt

More Stephen's Speed (we might get one or two of these if Stephen is feeling frisky, maybe, but only if they accept 1 year deals):

Malik Hooker
Damontae Kazee
Tyus Bowser
Richard Sherman
DeMarcus Walker
Dawuane Smoot
Ryan Kerrigan
Corey Peters
Tarell Basham
Rakeem Nunez-Roches
Jeremiah Attaouchu
Morgan Fox
Carlos Watkins
Jaleel Johnson

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Jaleel Johnson! My Hawkeye homerism is coming out but I'd give the guy a shot. 16 game starter last year and a legit 315 pound DT.

 

[Simpleton]

Jaleel Johnson! My Hawkeye homerism is coming out but I'd give the guy a shot. 16 game starter last year and a legit 315 pound DT.

Yea he'd be a classically decent signing in the Stephen range (1-2 years, 2-4 million per year)

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Yea he'd be a classically decent signing in the Stephen range (1-2 years, 2-4 million per year)

Really thought he would be more impactful from what he did in college. He did have a year with 3.5 sacks as a reserve for the Vikes.

 

[p1_]

 

[Genghis Khan]

As stubborn as Dak has been about all this, I actually doubt he'd have signed for that in 2018. Not only is the money a little lower than I think he wanted even in 2018, we still have the 4 versus 5 years issue.

Being lost in all this lately is Dak is pretty damn culpable through it all too.

 

[Cotton]

Cowboys’ biggest free agency needs: Who’s out there? Who could be out in Dallas?

By Jon Machota 5m ago

With the 2020 season officially over, the NFL world shifts to the offseason. And while draft prep is a large part of what’s going on at The Star, free agency comes first.

The Cowboys have developed a pretty good reputation for not being major players in this part of the team-building process. Their most notable additions last year were defensive linemen Aldon Smith, Everson Griffen and Gerald McCoy, quarterback Andy Dalton and kicker Greg Zuerlein.

There’s no reason to expect a significant difference in their free agency approach this year. There are some holes to fill to make things a little smoother entering the draft.

The most impactful piece is Dak Prescott. He is going to continue being the Cowboys’ starting quarterback next season, even if a long-term deal isn’t completed. A second franchise tag will be used before he would ever hit free agency. But another franchise tag means Prescott’s one-year guaranteed salary of $37.7 million would all have to be paid in 2021. A long-term deal would allow Dallas to spread his cap hit into the future, allowing for some extra room to work with under the 2021 cap, which is expected to be around $181 million.

So what are the Cowboys’ biggest free agency needs? If Prescott was not on the roster or about to hit free agency, quarterback would clearly be No. 1. But since he’s expected to return one way or the other, let’s focus on what the next five most significant needs are for Dallas.

Here’s the top five, in order of importance.

1. Safety.

It would likely make this list every year over the last decade. The Cowboys went into last season with hopes of starting Xavier Woods alongside veteran Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, whom they signed to a one-year, $3.75 million deal last March. Clinton-Dix was released before the start of the regular season. Woods and Donovan Wilson, a sixth-round pick in 2019, played most of the safety snaps in 2020. Woods was on the field for 84 percent of the defensive snaps, second-most behind linebacker Jaylon Smith. Wilson played 56 percent. Darian Thompson played 43 percent. Wilson is the expected 2021 starter at strong safety. The Cowboys will likely be looking in free agency and the draft for their starting free safety.

Key names to target: Justin Simmons, Anthony Harris, Marcus Williams, Marcus Maye, Malik Hooker, Keanu Neal. There are several options that will come at several different prices. Simmons, Harris, Williams and Maye will likely be too expensive. Hooker, the 15th overall pick in 2017, suffered a torn Achilles in September, so he might be a little more affordable. Neal has only two interceptions in five seasons, but new Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn was the Falcons head coach when Atlanta drafted Neal in the first round in 2016. He has suffered a torn Achilles and a torn ACL in the last three seasons.

Key names who might leave: Woods is an unrestricted free agent. He could return if they feel he’s the best option at the right price. What seems more likely is that the Cowboys will sign a veteran free safety and use a third- or fourth-round pick on a player to hopefully develop into the future at the position. The Cowboys drafted Woods in the sixth round in 2017. He played in all 16 games his rookie year, starting four. He played at least 86 percent of the team’s defensive snaps over the last three seasons.

2. Cornerback.

The plan going into last season was for second-round pick Trevon Diggs to immediately get his feet wet as a starting outside corner with Chidobe Awuzie, Anthony Brown and Jourdan Lewis being responsible for the other starting spots, along with nickel and dime packages. Lewis ended up playing the most snaps (778) of the group, followed by Diggs at 702, Brown at 497 and Awuzie at 428. Diggs was easily the most productive member of that group, leading the team with three interceptions and 14 passes defended. He’s the present and future at one cornerback spot. Brown figures to be part of the mix for at least one more year. But the Cowboys need more from the position. That could mean addressing it with a veteran addition if there is enough cap space to make something happen.

Key names to target: Richard Sherman, Kevin King. These two make some sense because of their previous connections with the head coach and defensive coordinator. Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy was the Packers’ head coach when they drafted King with the 33rd overall pick in 2017. Sherman was the Seahawks’ top corner during Quinn’s two seasons in charge of Seattle’s defense. Since the Cowboys are unlikely to spend significantly at the position, the draft might be a better spot to address it, perhaps as early as the 10th overall pick.
Key names who might leave: Chidobe Awuzie, Jourdan Lewis. These two were Dallas’ second- and third-round picks in 2017, a year in which the draft was largely devoted toward helping fix the defense (much like this year’s draft is expected to be). There wasn’t a great return on the investment. Edge rusher Taco Charlton, their first-round pick, didn’t even make it three weeks into his third season before getting released. Awuzie started 42 of the 49 games he played in over the last four years but managed only one interception per season. Lewis showed an impressive ability as a blitzing defensive back, recording six sacks and 13 tackles for loss during his four years, but he had some issues in pass coverage.

3. Defensive tackle.

Gerald McCoy and Trysten Hill were expected to be the starters entering the season, but McCoy suffered a season-ending quad injury in training camp. Hill and veteran free-agent signing Dontari Poe started the first five games. Hill then was lost for the season to a knee injury in Week 5. Poe was released after Week 7. Hill and Neville Gallimore, last year’s third-round pick, would likely be the starters if the season started today. But the Cowboys need more help here, and they’ve been reluctant to spend much in the past. During Dallas’ best seasons over the previous decade, former defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli often found bargains to start in the middle of his defensive line. The Cowboys have not used a first-round pick on a defensive tackle in the last 29 years.

Key names to target: Dalvin Tomlinson, Gerald McCoy, Christian Covington, Jack Crawford. There’s no question that Tomlinson would bring the biggest upside of this group, but he’ll also certainly be the most expensive. McCoy, Covington and Crawford have each already spent some time in Dallas, so bringing any one of those three back is a possibility, especially considering they won’t cost much. This isn’t a great draft class at the top for defensive tackles, so if a major upgrade isn’t made here in free agency, there probably won’t be one for the 2021 season. The best-case scenario seems to be Hill and Gallimore staying healthy and taking the next step in their young careers.

Key names who might leave: Antwaun Woods is a restricted free agent, so he seems like a good bet to return for his fourth season with the Cowboys. Woods has been a solid contributor up the middle, playing in 39 games over the last three seasons.

4. Linebacker.

Entering last season, this was thought to be one of the strongest position groups on the roster. Smith and Leighton Vander Esch were expected to take the next step and become one of the best linebacker duos in the game. Instead, Smith looked like he regressed, while Vander Esch struggled to stay healthy. The Cowboys have invested significantly here with those two players, but it’s clear they need to get better behind them. Adding a veteran could really improve that situation, especially considering that Sean Lee could retire this offseason.

Key names to target: Denzel Perryman, Jarrad Davis, Damien Wilson. Perryman is a former second-round pick who has struggled to stay healthy for the Chargers. In 13 games last season, he totaled 48 tackles, one forced fumble, one sack and three tackles for loss. Davis was a first-round pick by the Lions in 2017. He has struggled the last two seasons after having 100 tackles and six sacks in 2018. Wilson was drafted in the fourth round by the Cowboys in 2015 and went on to play every game in his four seasons as mostly a reserve in Dallas. He has started 29 games over the last two regular seasons and all six playoff games, including both Super Bowl appearances, by the Chiefs.

Key names who might leave: Sean Lee, Joe Thomas. Both are unrestricted free agents. Lee played last season under a one-year deal after evaluating his future in the offseason. He could do the same this year, or perhaps he might step away as a player and become a coach. Thomas has been mostly a reserve with the Cowboys, playing in 40 games over the last three seasons, starting six. Before coming to Dallas, Thomas played for McCarthy for four years in Green Bay.

5. Offensive tackle.

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones has said multiple times over the last few months that starting left tackle Tyron Smith and starting right tackle La’el Collins are expected to be 100 percent and ready to return for the 2021 season. Smith missed 14 games last year because of a neck injury he eventually had surgically repaired. Collins missed the entire season with a hip injury that he also had surgically repaired. Those are two very important pieces along the offensive line. If there is any doubt about both being fully healthy for 2021, the Cowboys need to start looking for help. They can’t afford to go another season with Brandon Knight and Terence Steele as their starting offensive tackles.

Key names to target: Russell Okung, Alejandro Villanueva, Cameron Fleming. Okung and Villanueva are likely out of Dallas’ price range unless Smith’s injuries force him into retirement. That’s not expected to happen, but that’s one scenario where the Cowboys could be looking to spend a little more than usual in free agency. Fleming was the team’s swing tackle before joining Jason Garrett last season in New York.

Key names who might leave: Cameron Erving. The former first-round pick struggled to stay healthy. He played in six games, starting five.

 

[mcnuttz]

If it will keep them from taking a CB in the 1st, I hope they sign Jourdan Lewis right out of the gate and Awuzie comes back on a cheap Anthony Brown type deal when he doesn't get a sniff in FA.

 

[p1_]

If it will keep them from taking a CB in the 1st, I hope they sign Jourdan Lewis right out of the gate and Awuzie comes back on a cheap Anthony Brown type deal when he doesn't get a sniff in FA.

Lewis, Brown and Awuzie should be depth pieces in my opinion. They’re almost the same in terms of impact

 

[ravidubey]

If it will keep them from taking a CB in the 1st, I hope they sign Jourdan Lewis right out of the gate and Awuzie comes back on a cheap Anthony Brown type deal when he doesn't get a sniff in FA.

I don't think anything could stop Jerry Jones from drafting a CB in the first round when there's a clear need on the team, even though there are key needs all over the place and clearly more talented players available at the spot we're drafting.

To Jerry, CB's represent a safety net like a TE does to a young QB

 

[boozeman]

If it will keep them from taking a CB in the 1st, I hope they sign Jourdan Lewis right out of the gate and Awuzie comes back on a cheap Anthony Brown type deal when he doesn't get a sniff in FA.

I would keep Awuzie and let Lewis walk. But it will probably end up the other way around.

 

[ravidubey]

I would keep Awuzie and let Lewis walk. But it will probably end up the other way around.

 

[mcnuttz]

Lewis, Brown and Awuzie should be depth pieces in my opinion. They’re almost the same in terms of impact

I agree, and with Diggs on the other side it should be good enough.