The Dallas Cowboys appear to be in a predicament this offseason. They have money to spend in free agency, but it might not be enough to re-sign all of their own players. The list is well known, WR Amari Cooper, CB Byron Jones, QB Dak Prescott and DE Robert Quinn are all worthy of getting new, high-dollar contracts.
Currently sitting with approximately $74 million in cap space available, the team could retain all four players.
Bringing back each of these players would likely eat up a good amount of the Cowboys’ cap and could force the team to shop in the bargain bin to round out the roster. It doesn’t appear as though the team will sign all four of their key free agents and Jones feels like the odd man out.
The same might have been said about RT La’el Collins last offseason, so you never know how things will turn out.
However, one might be able to narrow down where the Cowboys will lean in the draft based on how they prioritize their free agents.
No Byron Jones
This feels like the likeliest scenario and would be the biggest problem for the team. Jones is the best CB on the Cowboys and there isn’t anyone close to matching his skills on the roster if he’s gone. The knock on Jones is his lack of turnovers, but he’s one of the top corners in the game, and he’s extremely durable, missing just one game in his career.
Dallas would have to draft a CB to replace Jones, especially since neither Chidobe Awuzie nor Jourdan Lewis are signed past this season. Adding a CB in the draft is great, but they’ll likely have a learning curve that Jones doesn’t need.
Ideal scenario if Jones leaves: Draft a CB in the first two rounds and add a good veteran in free agency for less than Jones will get paid.
No Robert Quinn
The Cowboys had to love the production from Quinn and pairing him with DeMarcus Lawrence for the next few years would be a frightening proposition for opposing QB’s. Without Quinn, the defense would be in the same position it was in a few years before Quinn arrived, it would be a one-man band.
If Quinn isn’t retained, the Cowboys would hopefully be using an early draft pick or some free agent money on an edge rusher. However, if they aren’t willing to pay Quinn, they probably won’t be ponying up big money for a top-tier free agent pass rusher.
Ideal scenario if Quinn leaves: Use pick No. 17 on K’Lavon Chaisson or A. J. Epenesa, or use some free agency money and go after Yannick Ngakoue or Shaquil Barrett. Alternatively, perhaps the team addresses the defensive line from the interior position in free agency, where there is a plethora of good options.
No Amari Cooper
It’s not likely, but should be the most heavily considered of all the options. Cooper helped the offense take off since he’s arrived, but Michael Gallup is a budding star at WR and the draft is chock-full of studs at the position. It may hurt in the short-term, but in the long run the Cowboys might be wise to use the money on the QB and the defensive pieces to build the team.
Ideal scenario if Cooper leaves: Dallas could replace Cooper with the best receiver left at No. 17, or trade down in the first round, and still get a stud WR in the draft.
No Dak Prescott
This, frankly, won’t happen so we won’t waste time exploring it. The Cowboys will franchise Prescott before losing him. The only thing to worry about with Prescott is getting him signed to a long-term deal, and the costs associated with a new contract.
You can chat with or follow Ben on twitter @BenGrimaldi.
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