Most of the focus on Dallas Cowboys free agents will be on the bigger-name players with known pedigree. Some will be spent on guys who aren’t totally free to roam around the league, such as Kavontae Turpin.
The reality is a team can only go as far as the bottom of the roster takes them, and the Cowboys have other low-cost decisions that will need to be made in free agency. These players will likely hit the open market to see what is available to them, but Dallas may have a chance to bring some back on the cheap. Which will they choose to pursue?
Linval Joseph, Carlos Watkins, and Carl Lawson were all brought in this year to help with defensive line injuries. Some defensive tackles must be signed for Dallas to fill the position. Either Watkins or Joseph could work, but Lawson could be more difficult to bring back. He had an eye-opening bounce-back year with five sacks, 18 pressures, and 15 QB hits in 14 games. He could get a decent deal on the open market, but Dallas should want him back if the price tag doesn’t get too expensive.
Israel Mukuamu has played safety, boundary and nickel corner for Dallas, including an outstanding 2022 playoff performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Tom Brady, Mike Evans, and Chris Godwin.
Dallas loves to reward players like Mukuamu with roster spots, and he shouldn’t cost much to bring back. Amani Oruwariye could also find a place in Dallas based on how he played this season. They may follow Al Harris if he goes elsewhere, but Dallas could get deals with these two defensive backs, which they use as depth pieces as insurance for Lewis leaving or Diggs being injured.
Brandin Cooks has been an excellent second receiver and mentor, but the Cowboys need to upgrade their receiving core with a more impactful veteran or a high draft choice to pair with CeeDee Lamb. Cooks isn’t likely to return. Chuma Edoga could be the swing offensive tackle again, but the ascension of Asim Richards could elevate him to that spot, and the Cowboys let Edoga move on to get younger.
Dallas has more work to do than it should because of its team-building approach. It needs to decide on its coaching direction quickly so that the front office can make the best decisions with all its free agents.
You can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or Bluesky @mike-crum-cdpiglet.bsky.social