Building a successful roster can be a tricky endeavor. Front offices need to strategically divide resources to avoid glaring weaknesses but at the same time lean into their strengths, which will propel them above their opponents. Too many resources going in one direction could have disastrous effects on areas residing in the other direction.
The Cowboys face this very situation on their defense. Trevon Diggs, Stephon Gilmore, Malik Hooker, Jayron Kearse and Dorance Armstrong are all scheduled to be free agents in 2024. The following season Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence and Osa Odighizuwa all hit free agency.
It’s safe to say two players (Diggs and Parsons) will either set the market at their respective positions or come extremely close to it. The result of which is sure to have ramifications across the roster.
While the exact restrictiveness of the salary cap is up for debate, the Cowboys are not a team that stretches the limits of the cap, therefore, it’s fair to conclude a dollar to one player is a dollar that can’t go to another player.
The Cowboys can’t re-sign everyone and if they break the bank on their two superstars, most of their other veterans will have to go.
This begs the question: is it better to have a top-heavy defense built on stars or a well-rounded defense built on solid play throughout?
It’s a question Eric Eager asked at Pro Football Focus and one that applies nicely to the Cowboys’ current state of affairs.