Hot Takes, Predictions for Cowboys' Most Impactful Free Agent Signings
The 2024 NFL offseason is approaching its end. The draft was over a month ago, teams have begun organized team activities (OTAs), and training camps are expected to begin next month.
Free agency continues to unfold, but with the early waves complete, fans shouldn't expect rosters to shift significantly before the cutdown to 53 players. Aside from incoming rookies and a slew of key losses, the Dallas Cowboys roster doesn't look a lot different than it did a few months ago.
Dallas was extremely quiet in free agency this offseason, adding only a handful of players and watching the likes of Tyron Smith, Tyler Biadasz, Tony Pollard and Dorance Armstrong depart. This doesn't mean, however, that the Cowboys won't see an impact from their top free-agent signings.
Here, we'll make a few predictions about Dallas' 2024 free-agent class following mandatory minicamp.
Eric Kendricks Will Give Defense a Major Boost
1 of 3
Before the draft, Dallas' biggest addition involved linebacker Eric Kendricks. The longtime Minnesota Vikings standout played for the Los Angeles Chargers last season and originally agreed to join the San Francisco 49ers this offseason.
However, the Cowboys convinced Kendricks to pivot to Dallas, reportedly for less money.
"Word has it Kendricks took less from the Cowboys than he had from the 49ers."
ESPN's Todd Archer wrote after the initial wave of free agency.
It's a big addition because of Kendricks' versatile skill set. While the 32-year-old isn't an elite coverage 'backer, he can rack up tackles in bunches and occasionally get after the quarterback.
Kendricks finished last season with 117 tackles, 3.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss. He'll help boost a defense that featured a great secondary, a terrific pass rush and few legitimate playmakers at the second level.
Additionally, Kendricks brings familiarity with new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, who was the Vikings head coach for first seven seasons of Kendricks' career. Kendricks should quickly become a defensive leader alongside returning stars Micah Parsons, DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs.
Ezekiel Elliott Will Show Flashes, but His Time as an Every-Down Back Is over
2 of 3
After not adding a running back in the draft, Dallas turned back to the free-agent market and signed a very familiar face. Ezekiel Elliot spent seven seasons as the Cowboys' starter before spending last year with the New England Patriots.
However, anyone expecting the 28-year-old to be the star every-down back he was early in his career is asking for disappointment. Elliott doesn't possess the burst he once had and averaged less than 4.0 yards per carry in each of the last two seasons.
Elliott is also unlikely to benefit from the sort of dominant offensive line he had during his peak. The Cowboys will be betting heavily on rookie linemen Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe this year, and both are learning new positions.
Expect Elliott to instead be part of a committee that also includes returning backup Rico Dowdle, 2023 sixth-round pick Deuce Vaughn and free-agent addition Royce Freeman.
Still, Elliott should be more effective than he was in New England, where he averaged just 3.5 yards per carry. With Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb leading a potent passing attack, opponents won't focus on stopping the run quite like they did against the Patriots.
Elliott did have the occasional big game with New England—he had 140 scrimmage yards and a touchdown in Week 14—and he may have one or two for the Cowboys this season. Just don't expect a return to Pro Bowl form.
Rico Dowdle Will Be More Impactful Than Royce Freeman
3 of 3
Dallas re-signed Dowdle on a one-year deal and also added Freeman with a one-year contract before the draft. While Dowdle has been with the Cowboys since being signed as an undrafted free agent in 2020, Freeman has played for four teams in six seasons.
However, head coach Mike McCarthy views Freeman's experience as a positive.
"When you have the opportunity to play in a number of different systems, I'm very impressed with how quickly he picked up the language," McCarthy said, per Bri Amaranthus of FanNation. "Football comes pretty easy to him. It's natural. You can see that protection. He has been an excellent addition."
While it's easy to get excited about new additions, the prediction here is that re-signing Dowdle will play a much bigger role in the offense than Freeman. He proved to be an effective change-of-pace back last season and was often a more effective runner than Pollard.
Dowdle averaged 4.1 yards per carry in 2023 while tallying 505 scrimmage yards and four touchdowns. His familiarity with McCarthy's offense and his proven production should earn him significant playing time alongside Elliott, and it wouldn't be a total shock to see Dowdle take over the starting role at some point.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
