Cowboys' Team Needs to Fill in 2023 NFL Free Agency
As was the case last offseason, the Dallas Cowboys head into free agency with some notable needs to address and a less-than-favorable cap situation.
Dallas has a large contingent of impending free agents that includes running back Tony Pollard, tight end Dalton Schultz, cornerback Anthony Brown, wideout Noah Brown, linebacker Leighton Vander Esch and defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins. It is also projected to be $7.5 million over the salary cap.
This means that replacing certain players and addressing critical needs—such as the Cowboys' 22nd-ranked run defense—will be a task best suited for April's draft. Ideally, Dallas will find one instant-impact starter with the 27th overall selection.
Before the draft arrives, though, Dallas must clear cap space and plug as many holes as possible. While they may not be major free-agency players, the Cowboys can narrow down their Round 1 targets by scooping up a few veterans on the open market.
With this in mind, let's examine three needs that should be addressed in 2023 free agency.
Backup Quarterback
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The Cowboys could lose valuable backup quarterback Cooper Rush in free agency this year. Re-signing him or replacing him should be a priority.
While starter Dak Prescott isn't in danger of losing his job, it's always smart to have a capable alternative on the roster. The San Francisco 49ers showed just how valuable it can be by riding third-string rookie Brock Purdy to the NFC title game.
Rush was himself quite valuable in 2022, going 4-1 as a starter and posting a respectable 80.0 passer rating.
Now, franchise owner Jerry Jones has publicly voiced his interest in drafting a quarterback this offseason:
While there's certainly value in drafting and developing a long-term backup, Dallas cannot count on a rookie coming in and performing as Purdy did this past season. It would behoove the Cowboys to pick up a proven veteran spot starter as insurance for their 2023 title chase.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who posted an 88.9 rating in 2022, would be an ideal backup to Prescott.
The 30-year-old has a projected market value of just $5.4 million annually, though there's a chance he gets significantly stronger offers from teams seeking a bridge starter.
Retaining Rush would be logical if the price is right, and Dallas could consider other options such as C.J. Beathard, Mike White and former Cowboy Andy Dalton.
Tight End
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The Cowboys traded wideout Amari Cooper last offseason in a cap-saving maneuver. They then spent much of the season seeking receiver depth. This eventually led Dallas to veteran T.Y. Hilton late in the year.
With Hilton and Noah Brown both set to become free agents, Dallas will likely look at adding a receiver once again. However, this year's free-agent pool isn't great, which is likely to drive up the price of even second- and third-tier complementary players.
Kansas City Chiefs receiver Mecole Hardman, for example, has a projected market value of $10.3 million annually.
Replacing Schultz at tight end, if necessary, will be a much more affordable endeavor. Several starting-caliber TEs are set to hit the open market, and a saturated market should keep the cost for many of them low.
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Hayden Hurst, for example, has a market value of just $6.8 million annually. That's a fair price for a player who had 52 catches and 414 yards as the fourth target in Cincinnati's offense.
The list of budget friendly tight ends will likely include Austin Hooper, Robert Tonyan Jr., Irv Smith Jr. and O.J. Howard. None of them are quite on Schultz's level, but they could help fill the void at a fraction of the cost.
Schultz has a projected value of $15.1 million annually.
Linebacker
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Defensively, Dallas could use an interior lineman and playmaking linebacker to bolster its run defense. With Dante Fowler Jr. set to reach free agency, another pass-rusher would be welcome as well.
Cornerback is less of a pressing need but one Dallas will want to address with Anthony Brown and C.J. Goodwin headed to market.
The Cowboys are in a prime position to target any of these positions early in the 2023 draft. Prospects like South Carolina cornerback Cam Smith, Baylor defensive lineman Siaki Ika, Clemson linebacker Trenton Simpson and Notre Dame edge-rusher Isaiah Foskey—the 26th-, 27th- 31st- and 35th-ranked players on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's draft board, respectively—should be well within first-round range for Dallas.
What's important to note, though, is that edge-rushers, cornerbacks and defensive tackles are premium positions that carry huge price points on the open market. Signing an off-ball linebacker should fit into Dallas' financial plan more easily.
Buffalo Bills linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, for example, is a 24-year-old two-time Pro Bowler. His projected market value is just $11 million annually. That's significantly less than the projected values of, say, defensive tackle Dre'Mont Jones ($17.1 million) or cornerback James Bradberry ($15.1 million).
It would make sense for Dallas to spend on a linebacker in free agency while addressing the more expensive defensive positions on the draft and filling those holes with a rookie contract.
*Cap and market information via Spotrac.
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