Veteran Free-Agent Contracts Cowboys Must Consider Before Training Camp
On paper, the Dallas Cowboys are not better than they were a year ago, but they have done an admirable job of filling holes with budget free-agent signings and through the NFL draft.
While players such as Amari Cooper, Cedrick Wilson Jr., Randy Gregory and La'el Collins will be missed, the Cowboys have identified positional replacements.
It remains to be seen if newcomers like Dante Fowler Jr, James Washington and rookie Tyler Smith can replicate the success of their departed counterparts.
While it is waiting to see on-field results, Dallas should work to add more depth at a few key positions before training camp. It has $21.2 million in cap space available, and if it's eying a championship in 2022, it shouldn't be afraid to spend it.
Here, we'll examine three unsigned veterans the Cowboys must at least consider during the late offseason. We'll identify why each player can fill a need and make contract projections based on factors such as positional value, past performance, age and player health.
OT Bryan Bulaga
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While the Cowboys have options for rebuilding their offensive line—Smith appears poised to replace Connor Williams, while Terence Steele is in line to replace Collins—they could always use depth.
Injuries have plagued their O-line over the last couple of seasons, and left tackle Tyron Smith has a notable injury history. He last played a full season in 2015. Tyler Smith has been working at both tackle and guard and is perhaps Dallas' best option behind his namesake right now.
"So far, it seems like Smith might be a better fit at guard—which is good, because there's a starting job open—but he also might be the best backup option for Tyron Smith," Rob Phillips of the team's official website wrote. "That's a very important role in itself given Tyron's injury history."
It would still behoove the Cowboys to add an experienced swing tackle to the equation, though, and Dallas should at least kick the tires on Bryan Bulaga.
The 33-year-old only played in 11 games over the last two seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers. However, he's been a dependable starter when healthy and worked under head coach Mike McCarthy when both were with the Green Bay Packers
Bulaga's recent injury history is concerning—he suffered back and groin injuries in L.A.—but that could also make him a bargain option. He won't command an excessive salary while trying to reestablish himself. Something in the $3-4 million range would probably get a one-year deal done.
With 122 starts on his resume and plenty of familiarity with McCarthy and offensive line coach Joe Philbin, the Iowa product could be the perfect piece of depth to add before Week 1.
DT Ndamukong Suh
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Last week, we identified Dallas' most notable weaknesses heading into training camp. The run defense made that list. It ranked just 23rd in yards per carry allowed (4.5) in 2021 and was a huge liability late in the year.
Dallas surrendered an average of 130 yards per game over the final 10 weeks of the regular season. In its playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers, it gave up 149 yards on the ground.
With cap space to spare, the team should take a hard look at defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. While he isn't the dominant interior pass-rusher he once was, he can still bring pressure and wreak havoc against the run.
Last season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the 35-year-old notched 27 tackles, 15 solo stops and six sacks while playing 63 percent of the defensive snaps.
In Dallas, he could help boost the run defense up front while adding interior pressure between pass-rushers DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons.
The only question here is whether Suh has enough left in the tank to justify his likely price tag. He signed three one-year contracts in Tampa worth $9.3 million, $8 million and $9 million each. Presumably, he'll be looking for something in the $8-9 million range once again.
For a lesser team, Suh may not be worth that price point, as he's more of a part-time player than a defensive mainstay at this point in his career. However, Dallas' window is open now, and it has the money to bring in the five-time Pro Bowler. Doing so is something the Cowboys must at least consider.
LB Anthony Hitchens
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Dallas should be willing to throw multiple darts at its problematic run defense, and former Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens is worth a look,
The 30-year-old is coming off a four-year run with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he largely served as a run-stopper. In 15 games last season, he logged 80 tackles, 41 solo stops and four tackles for loss.
The Cowboys have experienced a lot of change since Hitchens last played for them in 2017. However, a few of his former teammates—including Lawrence, Jourdan Lewis and Anthony Brown—are still on the team. There would be at least a little familiarity there, which would be a nice bonus.
The biggest reason Dallas could consider the Iowa product, though, is price point. With a few notable exceptions—like Bobby Wagner and Myles Jack—off-ball linebackers haven't commanded a ton of money this offseason. Jordan Hicks, for example, signed a two-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings for $5 million annually.
Dallas should be able to bring back Hitchens on a deal in the $4-5 million range, leaving enough flexibility to add a player like Suh or extend another key contributor—franchise-tagged tight end Dalton Schultz could be a candidate there.
The Cowboys' linebacker depth is questionable, and they didn't draft a linebacker until taking Damone Clark in the fifth round. Hitchens is worth a look, as Dallas continues to discern what it has at the second level.
*Cap and contract information via Spotrac. Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference.
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