Cowboys' Last-Minute Guide to 2024 NFL Free Agency
Brace yourselves. Free agency is coming. The first major step of the 2024 offseason is set to kick off with the legal tampering period starting at noon on Monday, March 11.
The Cowboys have already made a few moves in preparation of the big day. Soon the news and notifications will start flying as the spending frenzy begins.
Dallas will be hoping to make the necessary additions and tweaks to the roster to take the next step. Another disappointing early playoff exit has dialed up the pressure even more inside the star.
Last year, the Cowboys got aggressive with trades around this time last year. Deals for Stephon Gilmore and Brandin Cooks were big swings that didn't quite get them to where they want to be.
Let's take a look at where the Cowboys stand a day away from free agency in terms of their cap situation, pending free agents, team needs and top targets.
Cap Situation
1 of 3
Cap Space: $8.8 million, per Spotrac
The Cowboys don't have a ton of cap space at the moment. The $8.8 million is just good enough to be cap compliant and have enough cash on hand to pay out their rookie class. That means we can probably expect more moves for the Cowboys to carve out a free agent budget.
So far they've only done a few things that have cleared up cap space. Converting $16.3 million of Zack Martin's salary into a signing bonus and adding a void year to his contract cleared up $13 million by itself.
The Dallas Morning News' Calvin Watkins reported that the team has given wide receiver Michael Gallup permission to seek a trade. Whether they trade or release him, the Cowboys would clear about another $9 million in cap space.
There's also a lot more money on the table through various restructures. Martin was one of the biggest candidates, but Dak Prescott and Trevon Diggs also have notable salaries that could become bonuses.
Cutting Brandin Cooks would clear another $4 million but that would leave the Cowboys receiver room as an even bigger need.
Notable Free Agents
2 of 3
- C Tyler Biadasz
- CB Stephon Gilmore
- S Jayron Kearse
- RB Tony Pollard
- OT Tyron Smith
The Cowboys have an interesting collection of internal free agents. With limited cap space available it isn't likely that all five of these names are coming back.
Biadasz has become a consistent starter at the pivot. A deep draft class and other free agency options could swing his market toward a team-friendly contract. Linemen are always in demand, but this free agent class has a good group of guards. He might be the most likely to be coming back.
Both Gilmore and Smith are getting up in years at 33, but are playing well at premium positions. That could price them out of Dallas. Smith has been with the club his entire 13-year career but he's also dealt with several injuries throughout his time. It might be time to let him make some money elsewhere.
Pollard is another interesting name. He was much less explosive in 2023 while playing under the franchise tag. Now, he enters a loaded running back market that could see him having to take on a one-year "prove-it" deal somewhere.
Biggest Needs and Top Targets
3 of 3
Offensive Tackle/Guard
Assuming the Cowboys are going to let Tyron Smith walk the Cowboys have a few avenues they could pursue with their offensive line. Tyler Smith played left tackle as a rookie and did well enough to believe he would be fine if he is moved there. On the other hand, he has perennial Pro Bowl potential if he stay at guard. That leaves the Cowboys with the flexibility to pursue free agents at either position and simply let the younger Smith play whichever one they don't sign.
Top Targets: OT Jonah Williams, OL Jermaine Eluemunor, OL Josh Jones
Interior Defender
Mazi Smith's rookie campaign wasn't good enough to just assume that he's the answer in the middle of the defense moving forward. They shouldn't give up on him, but they also need to look for reinforcements. Osa Odighizuwa has become a good penetrating 3-tech, but the Cowboys would do well to add depth on the interior after missing on a few draft picks there over the last few years.
Top Targets: DJ Reader, Sheldon Rankins, Teair Tart
Linebacker
Injuries exposed the lack of depth the Cowboys had at linebacker last season. They were shorthanded enough that Markquese Bell had to permanently move up from safety. While Bell did a good job, the Cowboys could have used a few more traditional linebackers to take pressure off Leighton Vander Esch who is expected to retire after a neck injury ended his season.
Fortunately, linebacker has become a position where good values can often be found in free agency.
Top Targets: Frankie Luvu, Azeez Al-Shaair, Blake Cashman
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
