The Dallas Cowboys Free Agency Tracker: Updated Signings, Rumors and Grades
Things have been quiet thus far for the Dallas Cowboys, but that is sure to change when NFL free agency begins Tuesday afternoon.
The Cowboys currently have $11,192,068 in cap space entering free agency, per Spotrac.com, which is plenty of space for them to make some significant moves if they choose.
Jerry and Stephen Jones appear to be looking for a bargain in free agency, as they haven't been linked to many in free agency thus far.
A thing to remember is that just because a team "wins" free agency and signs a couple of big-name players, it doesn't guarantee or even indicate future success. The best teams are fiscally responsible and find the real values in free agency and the fact of the matter is that you aren't going to find that in the first wave of free agency.
Therefore, don't be surprised if the Cowboys don't show a lot of activity in the first few days of free agency; instead, look for them to re-sign their own and wait to find the true values on the open market.
Throughout all this week, make sure you check back here, as we will update Dallas' free-agency tracker with rumors and signings.
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Cowboys Want to Bring Rolando McClain Back
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Rolando McClain was a key cog in the much-improved Dallas defense last season and he appears to be a piece that the Cowboys front office wants back, per 105.3 The Fan's Mike Fisher:
"#Cowboys have touched base w Ro McClain, who they very much want back. @1053thefan
— mike fisher (@fishsports) March 9, 2015"
This should be an encouraging sign to the Cowboys fanbase as McClain could provide valuable production for the Cowboys at the "Mike" linebacker position. Furthermore, if McClain was re-signed, it would allow Dallas to move Sean Lee to the "Will" linebacker position.
This move would mean that Lee wouldn't have as many physical collisions as he did as the "Mike," which would in turn help him remain healthier for longer, while McClain takes the brunt of the punishment.
A linebacker corps of McClain and Lee would surely be a force to reckoned with and would give the Cowboys one of the top units in the NFL, no matter who takes over the "Sam" linebacker position.
Also, the Cowboys are the one team that took a chance on McClain, and it would make sense for him to return to the team who believed in him when no one else would.
Lack of Market for DeMarco Murray Could Help Dallas
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While there has been some speculation of where DeMarco Murray will go in free agency there hasn't been anything concrete, which should be taken as a positive sign for the Cowboys per ESPNDallas.com's Todd Archer:
"But the news with Murray is slow with the general belief among teams that he will rejoin the Cowboys.
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While that may happen, it's not a fait accompli and never was.
But it's clear the whispers at the NFL scouting combine of a deal close to $10 million a year were unreliable. While he has said he would like to return, he will also be unafraid to leave for another team if it's the best offer.
Players have to cash in when they can cash in and this is Murray's best chance -- and last chance -- to really cash in.
Free agency hasn't even started yet, but the longer this goes with Murray not being attached to another team, the better it is for the Cowboys.
DeMarco Murray has been a lightning rod of talks thus far this offseason and this news will do nothing to quiet the comments. One side believes that Murray's production is not sustainable and that he will see a significant drop off in production after his heavy workload last year.
The other side believes that Murray is the running back who can buck the trend and continue to be one of the most effective running backs in the NFL behind the Cowboys' fantastic offensive line.
Both sides have validity to some of their claims, but the real crux of this issue is money. The Cowboys are willing to bring Murray back, but at the right price. The real question is whether the artificial limit the Cowboys have likely placed on their bid will be enough to keep Murray with a star on his helmet.
The answer to that question is unclear at the moment, but it won't be long until we have one.
WEDNESDAY UPDATE:
The potential suitors for Murray appear to be taking shape as one NFC East foe and two AFC teams are in the race to get Murray's services per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport:
"The prospect of DeMarco Murray leaving the #Cowboys is very real. At this point, they almost expect it. #Raiders in hard, #Eagles, Jags, too
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2015"
It is not clear where the Cowboys stand among the other potential suitors, but it is clear that they will have to fight hard to keep his services.
THURSDAY UPDATE:
It appears as though Philadelphia's interest in DeMarco Murray was real as he will visit Philadelphia on Friday:
"It's on: Cowboys free-agent RB DeMarco Murray is flying to Philadelphia to meet Eagles officials on Thursday, per league source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2015"
Could this be a ploy to get Dallas to increase their offer? Possibily, but one thing is clear, their is a very real chance that the Cowboys will play in 2015 without Murray as their running back.
FRIDAY UPDATE:
It looks like DeMarco Murray is going to be an Eagle:
"It's official: Eagles and RB DeMarco Murray agree to terms on a five-year contract. pic.twitter.com/tTV8paUkBt
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 12, 2015"
Cowboys Miss out on Justin Durant
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Justin Durant was a vital cog in the Cowboys defense until he got injured last year; therefore, the Dallas front office has to be sad that he won't return next year. Even though the Cowboys were interested, Durant opted to sign with a team out of the NFC South per the Dallas Morning News' David Moore:
"Cowboys hoped to bring LB Justin Durant back. Won't happen. He signs w/ Atlanta. Does that make it more important to retain Bruce Carter?
— David Moore (@DavidMooreDMN) March 10, 2015"
With Durant's departure, it makes Rolando McClain that much more of a priority to re-sign in the near future. Without McClain, Durant and Bruce Carter, the Cowboys have only Sean Lee, Anthony Hitchens, Keith Rivers and Kyle Wilber with any starting experience with the latter two not playing at a particularly high level when they started.
The impetus is on Dallas now to get McClain back into the fold and possibly even Carter, even though he isn't nearly as important.
You cannot fault Durant for heading to Atlanta as he will immediately step in as a starter and have the opportunity to make a huge impact on that defense.
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Cowboys Sign Jed Collins
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It wasn't the move that everyone wanted, but the Cowboys are finally on the free agent scoreboard as they sign fullback Jed Collins:
"Cowboys sign FB Collins: Fullback Jed Collins signed a one-year, $745,000 contract with the Dal... http://t.co/Z2amZFn3zH @FBallInsiders
— Football Insiders (@FBallInsiders) March 12, 2015"
Collins will likely replace Tyler Clutts at fullback for the Cowboys next season and he should be at least a slight upgrade. Clutts routinely took bad angles as the lead blocker and he failed to make a difference in most games.
Collins is a solid fullback who helped pave the way for the various running backs on the Detroit Lions last year. He doesn't provide much of a threat as a receiver, but he does fill the niche at fullback for the Cowboys.
Cowboys Sign Jasper Brinkely
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The Cowboys have agreed to terms with "Mike" linebacker Jasper Brinkley per ESPNDallas.com's Todd Archer.
At first glance, this move would appear to be a sign that the Cowboys are having trouble re-signing Rolando McClain; however, Brinkley should just provide great depth at a thin linebacker corps for the Cowboys.
Brinkley is a two-down thumper as he does extremely well when he comes downhill to blow up plays in the running game. He is not afraid to get physical and he frequently blows up offensive linemen in the hole.
Despite his prowess against the run, Brinkley really struggles in coverage as he lacks the fluidity or athleticism to hold up in space.
Brinkley will likely be a special teams contributor and a valuable veteran who can fill in when necessary at "Mike" linebacker.
Cowboys Sign Ray Agnew
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The Cowboys continue to stockpile full backs as they signed former Cleveland Brown, Ray Agnew, to a two-year contract per The Dallas Morning News' Rainer Sabin.
Like all of the other Dallas free-agent signings this year, Agnew is not a player who fans will jump for joy for. In fact, Agnew may not even make the team, as Jed Collins appears to be a better player.
Instead, this move further proves the Cowboys' commitment to the fullback position for the next season.
In training camp, Agnew will likely battle Collins for the starting fullback position on the Cowboys roster. Whoever wins will have to prove themselves not only on offense, but also on special teams as well.
Cowboys Sign Darren McFadden
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Even though the Cowboys lost DeMarco Murray, they didn't sulk long as they signed Darren McFadden for two years and $5.85 million per ESPNDallas.com's Todd Archer.
McFadden is a cheap addition who will give the Cowboys a veteran presence at the running back position. He is an extremely fast running back who can score from anywhere on the field. He is also a very well rounded player who can pass protect and make plays as a receiver out of the backfield.
Another great part of this signing is that it doesn't preclude the Cowboys from selecting a running back in the NFL draft. However, it does mean that there will be a ton of competition among the numerous running backs during training camp.
The one aspect of this acquisition that is puzzling is that McFadden isn't a great scheme fit with Dallas. McFadden thrives in a gap-blocking scheme where he can get downhill quickly and burst through a hole. He hasn't demonstrated the vision or patience to really be effective in zone-blocking runs, which is the foundation of Dallas' running scheme.
Nevertheless, Murray's skill set isn't an ideal fit for a zone-running scheme and he seemed to do just fine.
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