Cowboys’ 2023 Free Brokers, Targets and Draft Wants After NFL Playoff Loss

For a number of seasons now, the Dallas Cowboys have been a franchise able to hanging on the playoff periphery however incapable of constructing a severe run. Dallas has skilled only one dropping season prior to now seven years, but it surely got here into this postseason with a single playoff win to indicate for it.

That win was an underwhelming 24-22 victory over the Seattle Seahawks at residence.

This Cowboys workforce has felt totally different, although. Led by Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, defensive celebrity Micah Parsons and Tremendous Bowl-winning coach Mike McCarthy, Dallas has been a squad that should be taken significantly. Its 31-14 rout of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the street within the wild-card spherical was rather more spectacular than its final postseason victory.

But right here we’re. The Cowboys are out of the playoffs early as soon as once more after falling quick within the divisional spherical with a 19-12 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium. The 49ers, and particularly their top-ranked protection, proved to be a a lot more durable problem than Tampa.

Whereas the core items look like in place for a Tremendous Bowl run, it is again to the drafting board and the duty of constructing a greater workforce for 2023.

Right here, we’ll dive into what the Cowboys should accomplish, beginning in free company—which is slated to kick off on March 15. Under, you will discover a take a look at Dallas’ impending free brokers, potential free-agent targets and draft wants heading into the offseason.

Unrestricted Free Brokers

CB Anthony Brown

WR Noah Brown

Edge Dante Fowler Jr.

LB Luke Gifford

CB C.J. Goodwin

DT Johnathan Hankins

WR T.Y. Hilton

Okay Brett Maher

G Connor McGovern

LS Jake McQuaide

CB Trayvon Mullen

LS Matt Overton

OT Jason Peters

RB Tony Pollard

QB Cooper Rush

TE Dalton Schultz

LB Leighton Vander Esch

DE Carlos Watkins

S Donovan Wilson

Restricted/Unique-Rights Free Brokers

RB Rico Dowdle

OT Terence Steele

Dallas will face many challenges in free company this offseason, most of them monetary. Within the case of working again Tony Pollard and tight finish Dalton Schultz, the problem may very well be their want to seek out extra outstanding roles in several offenses.

Schultz, who performed on the franchise tag this season, is considered one of Prescott’s prime targets. Nevertheless, he has nonetheless needed to share the load with Michael Gallup, Noah Brown and Lamb. With a brand new workforce, he may very well be extra of a focus.

The identical is true for Pollard, who splits time with Ezekiel Elliott in Dallas’ backfield. Pollard tallied 1,007 dashing yards, 371 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns within the common season however suffered a fractured left fibula within the divisional-round loss, in accordance with ESPN’s Todd Archer.

Schultz, Pollard, guard Connor McGovern, wideout T.Y. Hilton and sort out Jason Peters are amongst Dallas’ most notable offensive impending free brokers. The Cowboys could also be inclined to worth wideout Noah Brown as nicely, following his promising 555-yard marketing campaign.

Defensively, the Cowboys should deal with the futures of beginning linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, pass-rusher Dante Fowler Jr., defensive sort out Carlos Watkins, beginning defensive sort out Jonathan Hankins and cornerbacks C.J. Goodwin and Anthony Brown.

Whereas Brown landed on injured reserve with a torn Achilles, he was a dependable starter earlier than that. He began all 12 video games during which he appeared and allowed a completion charge of simply 52.9 percent in protection.

Backup quarterback Cooper Rush, lengthy snappers Matt Overton and Jake McQuaide and kicker Brett Maher spherical out Dallas’ listing of notable free brokers—although after lacking 4 additional factors within the wild-card spherical, Maher could also be seen as expendable.

Dallas has lots to deal with and solely $5.9 million in projected cap area with which to work. This may increasingly result in tougher roster selections, like probably pulling the plug on Elliott. Whereas the longtime starter is below contract by way of 2026, releasing him with a post-June 1 designation would save $10.9 million off the 2023 cap.

A 12 months in the past, Dallas traded beginning wideout Amari Cooper in an analogous cap-saving transfer.

Given Dallas’ state of affairs with the wage cap and its personal impending free brokers, the Cowboys aren’t prone to chase the largest names in 2023 free company.

If the Cowboys can discover some monetary flexibility, although, addressing a few key areas could be logical. Discovering a pass-rusher to interchange Fowler must be close to the highest of the listing, and gamers like Yannick Ngakoue of the Indianapolis Colts and Samson Ebukam of the San Francisco 49ers could be wise mid-tier targets.

May the Cowboys deliver again Robert Quinn? If the rival Philadelphia Eagles let him stroll, it is completely potential.

Dallas also needs to take into account including a cornerback to interchange Brown if he departs. Anticipate second- or third-tier free brokers like Troy Hill and Grasping Williams to be the main target there—although a commerce may enter the equation.

One participant to regulate is former Cowboys and present Miami Dolphins cornerback Byron Jones. Jones did not play in 2022 following Achilles surgical procedure, however he was a Professional Bowler for Dallas again in 2018.

If the Cowboys have been to amass Jones, his 2023 cap hit of solely $4 million—after dead-money payouts—could be fairly cheap.

Anticipate the Cowboys to additionally strive addressing their Twenty second-ranked run protection. Bringing again Vander Esch could be logical, however concentrating on a top-tier linebacker like Tremaine Edmunds or Lavonte David would make a ton of sense if the Cowboys can create the cap area.

A defensive lineman like Larry Ogunjobi or Akiem Hicks may additionally make sense, however do not anticipate Dallas to lure a prime participant like Daron Payne or Poona Ford due to the related price. Payne, for instance, has a projected market worth of $19.4 million yearly.

Realistically, Dallas will solely deal with an space or two earlier than turning to the draft to fill its remaining holes.

The draft is the place Dallas will make most of their additions this offseason. The Cowboys have drafted nicely lately, with first-round picks Lamb, Parsons, Vander Esch and Tyler Smith all rising as crucial contributors.

Dallas may have every of its draft picks in 2023, minus the sixth-rounder that was despatched to the Las Vegas Raiders for Hankins.

Who the Cowboys goal in Spherical 1 will probably hinge on who they’re in a position to retain in free company. We will absolutely anticipate Dallas to draft for want for so long as their championship window stays cracked.

Defensive lineman Siaki Ika, Georgia tight finish Darnell Washington and Florida offensive lineman O’Cyrus Torrence could be logical Day 1 targets.

If Schultz leaves, a decent finish like Utah’s Dalton Kincaid or Washington may turn into the choose.

With Brown and Hilton set to depart, it would not be a complete shock to see Dallas draft one other first-round receiver to pair with Lamb—maybe SMU’s Rashee Rice, the Twenty seventh-ranked prospect on the Bleacher Report Scouting Division’s latest draft board.

“His capability as a ball-winner on the skin could be welcome on any workforce,” Derrik Klassen of the B/R Scouting Division wrote. “For extra inventive groups, Rice’s bully-ball YAC expertise and alignment flexibility will make him a nifty weapon to maneuver across the formation.”

On Days 2 and three, anticipate the Cowboys to think about prospects like North Dakota State inside lineman Cody Mauch, Oregon State tight finish Luke Musgrave, Boston Faculty wideout Zay Flowers, Auburn linebacker Owen Pappoe, Texas working again Roschon Johnson, LSU cornerback Mekhi Garner and Alabama defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe.

*Superior statistics from Pro Football Reference. Cap, contract and market info through Spotrac. Draft info through Tankathon.