Cowboys' Top Players to Avoid in 2023 NFL Free Agency

The Dallas Cowboys are entering what could be a pivotal offseason. They made a run to the divisional round, but several key role players are slated to reach the open market on March 15.

Included in the list are Pro Bowl running back Tony Pollard, wideout Noah Brown, pass-rusher Dante Fowler Jr., cornerback Anthony Brown, tight end Dalton Schultz and backup quarterback Cooper Rush.

Dallas is also facing a cap deficit of $7.6 million, which means it will have some tough calls to make in the coming weeks. It will need to free up cap room, re-sign or replace some players before April's draft and leave enough cap to sign its rookie selections.

Just as importantly, the Cowboys will need to avoid signing players who don't provide value commensurate to their contracts.

With this in mind, let's examine three impending free agents who should not be on Dallas' wish list.

WR Jarvis Landry

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CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 25: Jarvis Landry (5) of the New Orleans Saints lines up and awaits the snap during a football game between the Carolina Panthers and the New Orleans Saints on Sep 25, 2022, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. (Photo by David Jensen/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Dallas' search for a reliable complementary led them to veteran T.Y. Hilton during the season. It kicked the tires on Odell Beckham Jr., who was recovering from a torn ACL, but ultimately decided he wouldn't help the team make a postseason push.

"That's not dismissing (signing Beckham in) the future, but it is dismissing, for the most part, the reality of him getting in here and helping us in the playoffs," franchise owner Jerry Jones told reporters.

If the price is reasonable, OBJ could wind up back on Dallas' radar.

With both Hilton and Brown headed to free agency, the Cowboys will likely look at other receivers, too. They could be tempted to add Beckham's former LSU and Cleveland Browns teammate, Jarvis Landry, perhaps in a bid to lure the three-time Pro Bowler to Dallas—but they shouldn't.

The 30-year-old isn't the same dominant slot receiver he was early in his career. He's struggled to stay healthy in each of the past two seasons and was a flat-out flop with the New Orleans Saints in 2022.

Landry appeared in nine games and caught 25 passes for 272 yards and one touchdown. When targeted, he provided a passer rating of only 71.7.

While there's always a chance that the five-time Pro Bowler could return to form, his recent injury history and inefficiency make him just too risky for a Cowboys team looking to get into the championship mix.

Edge Jadeveon Clowney

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CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 27: Cleveland Browns defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) at the line of scrimmage during the third quarter of the National Football League game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cleveland Browns on November 27, 2022, at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

While we're on the topic of inconsistent players, we should mention Browns pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney.

The 2014 No. 1 overall pick is a notable name who keeps getting relatively hefty free-agent deals. He played on a one-year, $10 million contract this past season.

However, Clowney does not consistently perform as a top-tier pass-rusher. In 2021, for example, he had a solid nine tackles and 32 quarterback pressures; in 2020 and 2022, though, he logged just two sacks and 23 pressures in 20 combined games.

While bringing in a shiny big name to replace Dante Fowler Jr. could be tempting for Dallas, it wouldn't be a smart move. The 28-year-old accounted for only six of the team's 54 sacks this past season, so there's a good chance the Cowboys could get similar production and more value out of a rookie.

If Dallas does insist on augmenting its pass rush in free agency, potential budget options such as Arden Key or Samson Ebukam would be logical.

Clowney, who has never signed a free-agent deal worth less than $8 million annually, is highly unlikely to sign a team friendly deal. Given his up-and-down production, he isn't worth the likely price tag for Dallas.

RB Mark Ingram II

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TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 05: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Linebacker Lavonte David (54) wraps up New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) during the regular season game between the New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 05, 2022 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Tony Pollard is headed to free agency, and there's at least a chance Dallas decides to cut ties with longtime starter Ezekiel Elliott this offseason.

If the Cowboys release the 27-year-old with a post-June 1 designation, they can save $10.9 million off the 2023 cap.

It feels highly unlikely that both runners will be back in 2023.

Realistically, we could probably put most veteran RBs on this list. If the Cowboys end up looking to save money in the backfield, they'll be well served by pairing 2022 undrafted free agent Malik Davis with a rookie and perhaps Pollard/Elliott if one of them returns.

Of the backs headed to market, though, New Orleans Saints ball-carrier Mark Ingram II makes the least sense for Dallas. Like Elliott (3.8 yards per carry), he struggled to create explosive runs in 2022 (3.8 YPC). He's also 33 years old and suffered an MCL tear late in the season.

Even if Ingram agreed to play for the league minimum, he'd cost $1.2 million. That might not seem like a lot, but given Dallas' cap situation, it's too much for an aging back with a declining burst.

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*Cap and contract information via Spotrac. Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference.