The NFL combine is right around the corner, the owners have signed their portion of the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA): it’s undeniable that the offseason is starting to heat up.
As the CBA is on the verge of completion, the whole league is paying close attention. Not only would the CBA agreement mean there will be theoretical peace between the players and the owners for the next decade, it would have important ramifications for the upcoming free agency period, especially for the Dallas Cowboys.
If the agreed upon CBA passes, teams this offseason would go from having two franchise or transition tags to use, to just one. For a Cowboys team with three Pro Bowl free-agents the loss of a franchise tag could create another level of complexity to the Cowboys offseason signings.
The combine is arguably the biggest weekend for both teams and prospects in regards to the draft in April. The draft will be one of the first real tests for McCarthy and his new staff, and this weekend’s combine will give McCarthy lots of answers he’s looking for. This news link has potential players that could rise up boards after this weekend, as well as a breakdown of the WR position in the draft.
Free agency starts about a month before the draft, and for Dallas there are three top tier free agents to worry about, as well as star veterans Jason Witten and Sean Lee. Witten has made it clear he wants to play football again, but will be in Dallas?
The Most Difficult Decisions of the 2020 NFL Offseason :: Bleacher Report
It’s not going to be a surprise to learn that the Cowboys and their quarterback Dak Prescott are featured here. The decision isn’t whether or not to sign Prescott, but how much.
Darren McFadden gets four days in jail for Whataburger drive-thru DWI :: Pro Football Talk
Whataburger is delicious. It’s not delicious enough to do what former Cowboys running back Darren McFadden did last year when he passed out in his car at their drive-thru. His punishment includes a short jail stint and a suspension of his license.
Jason Witten’s legacy looks a bit different after un-retiring, a risk he took that hasn’t worked so far :: Blogging the Boys
If you had polled Cowboys fans after 2017, there may not have been a more popular player than Jason Witten for what he’s meant to the franchise in his career. Two years later and fans are singing a different tune.
Yeah it’s a wrap for Witten!! Cowboys Pro Shop is giving away all his gear! @1053SS pic.twitter.com/DgNAryuHDl
— Steven Vaughn (@StevenAVaughn) February 20, 2020
The reduced prices on all Jason Witten gear doesn’t mean the team has officially moved on from the future Hall of Fame tight end, but it’s noteworthy nonetheless.
Who wants to play a super not fun game? Three of the premier players on the image below had a star on their helmet in 2019.
You have $10 to spend on free agents. Who are you signing? pic.twitter.com/OBu4WuLVPk
— PFF (@PFF) February 20, 2020
Thankfully the NFL doesn’t allow only $10 in free agency, or the Cowboys would be in a tough spot.
How new CBA deal would affect 2020 NFL free agency :: 247Sports
Dallas was prepared to use both “tag” options this offseason if needed, on Dak Prescott and presumably Amari Cooper. If the new CBA is agreed upon by the players teams would only have one franchise or transition tag to use.
2020 NFL Combine: Wide Receiver Prospects, Invites, What To Watch For :: CollegeFootballNews
Amari Cooper and Randall Cobb are upcoming free agents, and Dallas has to be prepared should one of those two take their talents elsewhere. Take a deeper look at the top 50 WR prospects in the upcoming draft.
2020 NFL Free Agency: Ranking the 100 best free agents, where do Dak Prescott and Tom Brady land? :: CBSSports
Three Cowboys free agents are in the top 12 on CBS’ latest free agent rankings. If all three can’t be re-signed, chances are their replacement will be from this list as well. Here are the CBS free agent rankings.
-AH
Dez Bryant and I chat at the Sports Performance Center at the Star and a few new nuggets on the Dak Prescott situation. #Cowboys pic.twitter.com/zBTgV7nA3S
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) February 20, 2020
Dak Prescott Stats: Comparing Dallas Cowboys’ QB To NFL’s Highest-Paid Players As He Seeks Contract :: IBTimes
A breakdown of Dak Prescott in comparison to the top five paid quarterbacks: Goff, Wentz, Rodgers, Roethlisberger, and Wilson. How does his short career stack up and is he deserving of being in this range? Here are some numbers, you be the judge.
NFL ownership approves terms of potential new CBA :: NFL
The NFL owners have signed their part of the CBA, now all eyes shift to the players association. Along with the new proposed playoff format, the owners have agreed to a 17th regular season game. While it would give the players slightly more money, the extra game is the main holdback for the players.
Changes in NFL’s Comp Pick formula :: ProFootballRumors
Previously, if a team declined a team option on a player, they were potentially rewarded with a compensatory pick in the draft. According to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com, declining a team option will no longer make you eligible to receive a compensatory pick.
Draft Show Recap: Potential Combine Risers? :: Dallas Cowboys
In the last episode before the combine, the crew of Cowboys staff workers discuss options at pick No. 17 and players to watch.
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