During the 2021 free agency cycle, the Cowboys have added eight free agents, the most in franchise history, and they might not be done yet. Among the already-made additions are former Atlanta Falcons secondary players Keanu Neal and Damontae Kazee along with defensive linemen Brent Urban and Carlos Watkins.
Dallas has added depth at a premium while bringing in playmakers for the defense. ESPN’s Todd Archer recently discussed the Cowboys’ acquisitions and losses in an article on Friday.
Collectively, that group will count $12.712 million against the salary cap. Neal has the largest signing bonus at $3 million. Basham has the highest cap figure at $2.5 million. Kearse, Kazee and McQuaide are on minimum-salary benefit contracts.
Perhaps there will be more additions as the offseason moves along, but the question now is: Have the Cowboys gotten better with their additions?
For the pair of Kazee and Neal, their recent careers have been plagued by injuries but they have been able to make plays when healthy and at their best. Kazee had his best season in 2018 and Neal had 14 forced fumbles between 2016 and 2017. They will be reunited with their head coach from their time in Atlanta in defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.
If Kazee, 27, can return to form, the Cowboys have a playmaker at safety. He had seven interceptions in 2018. The Cowboys have not had a defender with more than six interceptions in a season since Everson Walls had nine in 1985. But Kazee played four games last season for Atlanta because of a torn Achilles.
Jayvon Kearse also brings depth to the safety position. Mainly known for his hybrid ability, similar to Neal, and will bring another playmaker to the special teams unit to pair with C.J. Goodwin who re-signed with Dallas.
The offseason has also included losses to free agency, notably cornerback Chidobe Awuzie and quarterback Andy Dalton. Dallas also swapped 16-year long snapper L.P Ladouceur for two-time Pro Bowler Jake McQuaide.
Our own KD Drummond graded all of the Cowboys’ moves in free agency and decides if Dallas has been successful or not this summer. The Cowboys have been more involved than ever in free agency, but this coming season will decide if they were the right ones to help Dallas retake the NFC East.