Veteran Free-Agent Contracts Cowboys Must Consider Before Training Camp
It's been an odd offseason for the Dallas Cowboys, to say the least. Despite coming up short in the 2023 playoffs and having an extremely talented core, Dallas didn't exactly take a win-now approach to the offseason.
The Cowboys lost several key contributors, made few free-agent additions and are poised to rely heavily on rookies like offensive tackle Tyler Guyton and center Cooper Beebe. The good news is that there's still time to add some veteran talent to the equation.
With post-June 1 moves hitting the books, the Cowboys have just under $10.2 million in cap space. Using some of that to add a veteran or two before training camp opens on July 24 would be advisable.
Here, you'll find a look at three free agents that Dallas must at least consider targeting. We'll dive into what each could bring to the roster and make some contract projections based on factors like past production, player health, age and market value.
C Mason Cole
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Signing center Mason Cole would largely be an insurance move for the Cowboys, but it would be a sensible one. With Dak Prescott entering the final year of his contract, this could be Dallas' last, best chance to make a deep run.
Banking on two rookies to start along the offensive line is risky. Making matters worse is that the Cowboys have few in-house alternatives if either Guyton or Beebe fails to develop quickly.
Cole, who started 34 games for the Pittsburgh Steelers over the past two seasons, has plenty of experience. He'd be easy to slot in if Beebe struggles at center, the one line spot he didn't play in college.
Adding Cole could also give Dallas options if the inexperienced Guyton fails to make a fast transition from right to left tackle. Tyler Smith could be moved to tackle, a position he played as a rookie in 2022. That would create a hole at left guard, but, theoretically, Beebe could start there too—if Dallas can muster a starting center.
That's where Cole enters the picture. The big question here is price. Cole's last contract had an annual value of roughly $5.3 million. That would eat a large chunk of Dallas' remaining camp space. This late in free agency, though, Cole might be amenable to a more team-friendly deal.
Something in the $3 million range might be enough to entice Cole while giving Dallas the flexibility to make another addition or two.
RB Dalvin Cook
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Along with tackle Tyron Smith and center Tyler Biadasz, the Cowboys lost running back Tony Pollard in free agency. They did add Royce Freeman and bring back Ezekiel Elliott, but the outlook for the backfield isn't ideal.
Dallas is currently eyeing a committee centered around Elliott, Rico Dowdle, Freeman and Deuce Vaughn. Adding another back to the mix would be sensible because if the offense doesn't have balance, Prescott is going to face a lot of pressure.
It would behoove the Cowboys to at least kick the tires on Dalvin Cook. The four-time Pro Bowler appeared to lose a step in 2022 and struggled to get on the field in 2023. However, as Cook noted earlier this offseason, his lack of use last season has made him a well-rested option.
" I didn't really get no reps last year. So, the legs are fresh, so the resume speaks for itself. I'm still Dalvin Cook. I'm still that guy," Cook told Aaron Wilson of Houston's KPRC 2.
Naturally, the Cowboys won't be inclined to spend a lot on a flier signing. While Cook joined the New York Jets on a one-year, $7 million deal last offseason, though, his contract demands should be much lower in 2024.
Cook could be open to a team-friendly, incentive-laden deal if it provides the opportunity to reestablish his value. Cook may not be willing to play for the league minimum, but a one-year deal in the $2-3 million range might be enough.
WR Michael Thomas
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The wide receiver market is booming, and that created problems for the Cowboys this offseason. Dallas has a star in CeeDee Lamb but little in the way of reliable receiver depth behind him.
Brandin Cooks was a serviceable second option in 2023, but his 54 catches and 657 receiving yards left plenty to be desired. Michael Gallup ranked third among Cowboys wideouts last season with just 418—and he's now with the Las Vegas Raiders.
The free-agent player pool has largely dried at receiver. As would be the case with Cook, though, the Cowboys could consider taking a flier on a former star. Former New Orleans Saints standout Michael Thomas hasn't been a 1,000-yard receiver since 2019. Yet, he wasn't completely ineffective last year.
In 10 games last season, Thomas caught 39 passes for 448 yards and a touchdown.
At worst, Thomas should be a functional replacement for Gallup as WR3. If he could recapture some of his earlier form, however, he could be much, much more. Adding him would be a boom-or-bust risk, but Dallas doesn't have a ton of other options, barring a trade.
Thomas is still carrying an $11.2 million dead-cap hit for the Saints, which could help offset his contract demands to a degree. His value has also taken a significant hit after several down years with the Saints.
Once among the league's highest-paid skill players, Thomas will now have to settle for a "prove-it" contract. A one-year deal in the $2-3 million range with incentives would likely allow the Cowboys to gamble on the former Offensive Player of the Year.
*Cap and contract information via Spotrac.
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