The opening stretch of 2025 NFL free company has handed. For Dallas Cowboys followers, the expertise has been all too acquainted. Whereas different NFC contenders aggressively upgraded their rosters, the Cowboys remained dedicated to their restrained offseason technique. They prioritized inner extensions and modest signings over splashy acquisitions. This method has turn into a trademark of Jerry Jones’ management. It has delivered regular-season success however has additionally constantly fallen quick within the postseason. Now, because the mud settles from the preliminary wave of free company, one simple fact lingers: Dallas nonetheless has vital gaps to handle if it intends to compete with the Washington Commanders and the Philadelphia Eagles within the NFC East.
Free Company So Far
Regardless of having the cap house to be extra aggressive, the Cowboys have as soon as once more avoided making daring strikes in free company. As an alternative, they’ve targeted on re-signing their very own gamers and taking low-risk possibilities on former first-round picks who’ve but to determine themselves within the league. The workforce restructured the contracts of quarterback Dak Prescott and extensive receiver CeeDee Lamb to release cap house for 2025. This pushed monetary commitments into future years. Nevertheless, they’ve but to make any vital acquisitions with the newly obtainable funds.
Compounding the problem, Dallas allowed a number of homegrown contributors to stroll in free agenc. That is regardless of having the monetary flexibility to retain them. Cornerback Jourdan Lewis secured a three-year, $30 million contract with $20 million assured from the Jacksonville Jaguars. Working again Rico Dowdle additionally inked a one-year deal price as much as $6.25 million with the Carolina Panthers. In the meantime, edge rusher Chauncey Golston landed a three-year, $19.5 million contract elsewhere. The lone notable exterior signing the Cowboys have made is bringing in Dante Fowler. He did lead the Commanders with 10.5 sacks final season.
Presently, the Cowboys are sitting on $37.4 million in efficient cap house. That is the eighth-most within the league, based on OverTheCap.com. And but, they’ve avoided making impactful free company additions. In the meantime, All-Professional edge rusher Micah Parsons stays and not using a contract extension, as of this writing. In fact, his price ticket continues to rise amid a market that rewards elite go rushers handsomely. If Dallas hopes to keep away from one other season ending in playoff disappointment, it should prioritize addressing its most urgent wants. They need to begin with the working again place and the offensive line.
Right here we’ll strive to have a look at the Dallas Cowboys’ largest want to handle after the primary week of 2025 NFL free company.
Working Again Stays a Urgent Concern
The Cowboys opted to not retain Dowdle in free company. They as an alternative signed Javonte Williams to a one-year deal. Nevertheless, Williams has but to regain his pre-injury kind after tearing his ACL in 2022. In actual fact, he posted the bottom Professional Soccer Focus (PFF) speeding grade amongst all working backs over the previous two seasons (63.8). Dallas additionally added Miles Sanders on a one-year contract. Nevertheless, he has but to show he is usually a dependable beginning choice.
Take notice that with every passing day, it appears much less doubtless that draft prospect Ashton Jeanty will nonetheless be on the board when Dallas picks at No. 12. On the flip facet, the depth of this yr’s working again class presents alternatives for the Cowboys to land a possible starter on Day 2 of the draft.
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Certain, Williams and Sanders present some depth. That mentioned, neither seems to be a big improve over Dowdle. The latter rushed for 1,000 yards final season. Dallas must safe a younger, three-down again who can take strain off Dak Prescott and produce stability to the bottom sport. Sure, including a No. 2 extensive receiver can be a precedence. Nonetheless, solidifying the working again place ought to be on the high of the Cowboys’ checklist.
Offensive Line Wants Reinforcements
If the working again state of affairs is a priority, the state of the offensive line is simply as worrisome. Offensive deal with Tyler Guyton and heart Cooper Beebe are gifted younger gamers. Nevertheless, they are going to now not profit from Zack Martin’s veteran management on the offensive entrance. In the meantime, Brock Hoffman is slated to begin at one of many guard spots. That is regardless of beforehand being pushed out of the middle competitors.
The Cowboys may look to reshuffle the lineup by shifting Beebe to protect and giving Hoffman one other shot at heart. That mentioned, both means, reinforcements are wanted. The Cowboys should put money into dependable offensive linemen to guard Prescott and pave the best way for a simpler speeding assault in 2025.
Time for Motion
The Cowboys’ method to free company has as soon as once more left them with vital roster considerations heading into the 2025 season. Whereas different NFC contenders aggressively improved their squads, Dallas has but to handle key weaknesses in a significant means. The working again state of affairs stays unsettled, and the offensive line lacks confirmed depth, two points that would undermine the workforce’s possibilities of maintaining tempo within the NFC East. If the Cowboys hope to keep away from one other season of falling quick within the playoffs, they need to use the draft and any remaining free company alternatives to shore up these downside areas. In any other case, they danger losing one other yr of Dak Prescott’s prime in a league that isn’t ready for them to catch up.