Hot Takes, Predictions for Cowboys' Most Impactful Free-Agent Signings
The NFL offseason is winding down and inching closer to training camp and the preseason. Now is the perfect time to take stock of what the Dallas Cowboys accomplished in free agency.
Much of the buzz surrounding the team this offseason has been centered around its losses and incoming draft class. Key contributors such as Amari Cooper, La'el Collins, Randy Gregory and Connor Williams are gone. In the draft, Dallas added intriguing prospects like offensive lineman Tyler Smith, pass-rusher Sam Williams and receiver Jalen Tolbert.
Less attention has been given to the Cowboys' free-agent haul—which, admittedly, isn't filled with notable names or even an extensive list. According to Spotrac, only three external free agents—James Washington, Dante Fowler Jr. and James Nall—have officially signed with Dallas this offseason.
However, Dallas did a decent job of retaining some nice complementary pieces, which adds some under-the-radar value to its foray into free agency.
Here, you'll find some hot-take predictions for the Cowboys' free-agent class heading into training camp.
Retaining Michael Gallup, Dalton Schultz Will Prove Critical in 2022
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Trading Cooper to the Cleveland Browns will have an impact on the Cowboys' offense this season. There's no getting around that. While CeeDee Lamb is capable of taking over as the team's new No. 1 receiver, the position is no longer as deep.
Adding Tolbert and Washington will help, but neither is proven in the Cowboys system.
Fortunately, Dallas doesn't have more holes to replace because it secured a long-term deal with Michael Gallup and Dalton Schultz.
Gallup has long been a capable complementary receiver in coordinator Kellen Moore's system. He missed time with a calf injury in 2021 and suffered a torn ACL in Week 17. Two years ago, though, the 26-year-old had 843 yards and five touchdowns while playing alongside both Cooper and Lamb.
Schultz, meanwhile, has developed into one of the most underrated pass-catching tight ends in the NFL. The 25-year-old logged 808 yards and eight touchdowns last season while providing a quarterback rating of 118.6 when targeted. He is a tremendous security blanket for quarterback Dak Prescott.
The only real fault to find with these two is Dallas' decision to franchise-tag Schultz instead of working out an extension. The Browns franchise-tagged tight end David Njoku and then gave him a monster four-year, $54.8 million extension. Schultz has been far more productive than Njoku over the past two seasons, so the latter's deal now becomes the floor for a Schultz extension.
Still, both pass-catchers are in the fold and will play important roles in mitigating the loss of Cooper. If Gallup is back to 100 percent early in the season, both he and Schultz could make pushes for the Pro Bowl in 2022.
James Washington Will Have Bounce-Back Season in Dallas
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Three years ago, James Washington looked like a receiver on the rise. He was in his sophomore campaign and finished the year with 735 yards and three touchdowns on just 44 receptions.
However, the 26-year-old's production slipped in 2020 and again in 2021—he had only 285 yards and two touchdowns last year—prompting the Pittsburgh Steelers to allow him to walk in free agency.
Washington can get his career back on a positive trajectory in Dallas, though. Improved quarterback play will be part of the equation. Dak Prescott is a Pro Bowl-caliber signal-caller leading an offense that ranked first in both points and yards last season.
And let's be honest, Ben Roethlisberger struggled to push the ball downfield over the last few seasons. Prescott won't have the same struggles getting the ball out to the speedy Washington.
The Cowboys also have a prime role waiting for Washington. The Cowboys lost slot receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. in free agency. Washington has experience playing both inside and out while rookie Tolbert projects as a perimeter pass-catcher.
"Overall, Tolbert projects as an outside receiver who is best taking the top off the defense on vertical passing concepts or on in-breakers where he can keep his longer legs going," Nate Tice of the Bleacher Report Scouting Department wrote before the draft. "He doesn't make many defenders miss in a phone booth."
Given the potency of Moore's offense, Washington could be in store for a career year this season. At worst, expect him to be a valuable addition to three-receiver packages in 2022. An 800-yard season is not out of the question.
Dorance Armstrong Will Be More Valuable Than Dante Fowler Jr.
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Losing Randy Gregory to the Denver Broncos in free agency hurt. Despite missing five games last season with a calf injury, he was second on the team with six sacks and logged three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, an interception and 29 quarterback pressures.
Dallas didn't replace the 29-year-old with a big-name free-agent signing but rather a bit of a bargain in the form of Dante Fowler Jr.
Fowler had an 11.5-sack campaign with the Los Angeles Rams in 2019 but produced just 7.5 sacks over the last two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. He may be a fine complementary piece in Dallas, but he isn't going to replace Gregory as one of the Cowboys' primary sack artists.
However, another free-agent signing might. The Cowboys inked Dorance Armstrong to a new two-year, $12 million extension this offseason, and there's reason to believe he'll reward them for their investment.
The 25-year-old tallied five sacks and 22 quarterback pressures in 13 games last season. He's well-versed in defensive coordinator Dan Quinn's system and has a prime opportunity to earn a bigger role with Gregory gone.
Fowler spent only a handful of games under Quinn during his final (partial) campaign as the Falcons head coach. However, Armstrong is the one fans should expect to see make a jump this season, while rookie Williams steadily pushes past Fowler for playing time.
Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference. Contract information via Spotrac.
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