Grading the Cowboys’ 11 in-house free agency moves so far

[zekecowboy]

The lack of high-level external moves has left Cowboys fans frustrated. When Dallas lost out on the chance to re-sign Randy Gregory, it left the front office with savings to spend on names like Von Miller, Bobby Wagner, and other players. Yet, the staff chose to remain in-house, shelling out several frugal or one-year contracts to players who bring depth more than starting talent.

It’s a tale as old as time for the Joneses. The hope is that these deals end up working out in the Cowboys’ favor. But, recent history paints a different story. For now, let’s take a look at all of those in-house signees and give them grades. Keep in mind that this list only includes players who were free agents heading into the 2022 season.

10. Jayron Kearse, S
Grade: A
Contract: Two-year extension worth $10 million

Jayron Kearse is a perfect example of what every player attempts to do when they sign a one-year, prove-it deal. When Kearse originally signed with the Cowboys ahead of 2021, there was little-to-no buzz about him. He was a typical Jerry Jones bargain bin signing. However, after five years in the NFL, Kearse had his best year yet in Dallas. He started in 15 games and had two interceptions, nine tackles for loss, six QB hits, and 101 tackles.

For the rest of the grades see the following link:

https://thelandryhat.com/2022/03/24/cowboys-grading-internal-free-agency-moves-offseason/

 

[conner01]

Pretty fair
I’d give Anger and A myself
And if we get the LVE that finished the season that will be a good signing too
The rest are pretty fair and most are solid signings

 

[TequilaCowboy]

That's the problem....they seem so intent looking for depth players and then really never even pay for front line starters....so the depth players become your starters and then everything goes to manure. Kearse was an anomaly and did perform like a starter so kudos there. I would have liked for them getting Wagner at least and that would have made this defense instantly better.

 

[coult44]

The lack of high-level external moves has left Cowboys fans frustrated. When Dallas lost out on the chance to re-sign Randy Gregory, it left the front office with savings to spend on names like Von Miller, Bobby Wagner, and other players. Yet, the staff chose to remain in-house, shelling out several frugal or one-year contracts to players who bring depth more than starting talent.

It’s a tale as old as time for the Joneses. The hope is that these deals end up working out in the Cowboys’ favor. But, recent history paints a different story. For now, let’s take a look at all of those in-house signees and give them grades. Keep in mind that this list only includes players who were free agents heading into the 2022 season.

10. Jayron Kearse, S
Grade: A
Contract: Two-year extension worth $10 million

Jayron Kearse is a perfect example of what every player attempts to do when they sign a one-year, prove-it deal. When Kearse originally signed with the Cowboys ahead of 2021, there was little-to-no buzz about him. He was a typical Jerry Jones bargain bin signing. However, after five years in the NFL, Kearse had his best year yet in Dallas. He started in 15 games and had two interceptions, nine tackles for loss, six QB hits, and 101 tackles.

For the rest of the grades see the following link:

https://thelandryhat.com/2022/03/24/cowboys-grading-internal-free-agency-moves-offseason/

When you take this as a whole and add it to the players who are no longer here, it’s an overwhelming F on the preseason. Without a doubt, the worse off season in the NFL.

 

[eromeopolk]

The lack of high-level external moves has left Cowboys fans frustrated. When Dallas lost out on the chance to re-sign Randy Gregory, it left the front office with savings to spend on names like Von Miller, Bobby Wagner, and other players. Yet, the staff chose to remain in-house, shelling out several frugal or one-year contracts to players who bring depth more than starting talent.

It’s a tale as old as time for the Joneses. The hope is that these deals end up working out in the Cowboys’ favor. But, recent history paints a different story. For now, let’s take a look at all of those in-house signees and give them grades. Keep in mind that this list only includes players who were free agents heading into the 2022 season.

10. Jayron Kearse, S
Grade: A
Contract: Two-year extension worth $10 million

Jayron Kearse is a perfect example of what every player attempts to do when they sign a one-year, prove-it deal. When Kearse originally signed with the Cowboys ahead of 2021, there was little-to-no buzz about him. He was a typical Jerry Jones bargain bin signing. However, after five years in the NFL, Kearse had his best year yet in Dallas. He started in 15 games and had two interceptions, nine tackles for loss, six QB hits, and 101 tackles.

For the rest of the grades see the following link:

https://thelandryhat.com/2022/03/24/cowboys-grading-internal-free-agency-moves-offseason/

You traded your best WR, lost 2 starters on the OL, and 1 Starter at DE, and a quality no. 3 WR.

I remember how Dak Prescott look with out a no.1 WR, no.1 TE, and a no.1 C.

Unless they make a season turn around trade like 2018, this will not end well in 2022.

 

[gimmesix]

Just started reading this and the retelling of Schultz's 2021 season is a little rosy. Yes, he did have a good year as a receiver, but his blocking was shaky at best. I believe Dallas franchised him because it doesn't know yet if he's a TE worthy of a big long-term contract. The positive is that Schultz seems to understand that he was not good enough as a blocker and is working to do something about it. If he can do that and because more of an all-around TE, he could be worthy of a big deal.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

I'll repeat what I have already said:

Every move the Cowboys HAVE made so far has been great. It's the moves they HAVEN'T made that are the problem. They've made a lot of smart deals to keep their core intact but haven't done a thing to get better. And that's why January 28, 1996 remains the last time we've seen this team at the top.

 

[gimmesix]

I think the Kearse signing was absolutely vital based on what all he did for this team last year. IMO, he was one of our top four defenders (rank them how you want) with Parsons, Diggs and Lawrence.

 

[gimmesix]

I also wouldn't say Dallas has no kicker after cutting Zuerlein. It has an inexperienced one in Chris Naggar. I'm not sure how the team feels about him, but after switching from punter to kicker in 2020 for Texas A&M, he led the conference in FG accuracy, going 17 of 21. He's 1 for 1 on FGs as a pro (although 1 of 2 on extra points.

Since he was signed to a futures contract, the Cowboys might only see him as a camp body, but he's not all that different than players we've picked up as UDFAs over the years. In fact, one of our best, Dan Bailey, had the same number of missed FGs his senior year (albeit on 28 attempts) and that's with having started at the spot since his freshman year.

I'm not advocating just going with Naggar. There's a couple of kickers I'd prefer to get. But I just wouldn't be surprised if we did, and I wouldn't say we don't have a kicker.

 

[ColeBeasley11]

I was a big fan of the Hooker signing and for that contract there’s basically no risk. C+ seems wrong.

 

[gimmesix]

This article seems to have forgotten about Michael Gallup re-signing, too.

 

[jazzcat22]

I will wait until after the draft to form more of an overall off season opinion.
See how the draft works with the moves they made and have not made.

Still on paper it may not seem as a good of a team that went 12-5. But that is only on paper. Potential can look better if they hit the draft right.
Remember this was said last year as well. All potential on paper. As many expected to not even have a .500 record (as usual) but then Micah took the field.
Wait until we get the next Micah in this draft.

 

[john van brocklin]

The lack of high-level external moves has left Cowboys fans frustrated. When Dallas lost out on the chance to re-sign Randy Gregory, it left the front office with savings to spend on names like Von Miller, Bobby Wagner, and other players. Yet, the staff chose to remain in-house, shelling out several frugal or one-year contracts to players who bring depth more than starting talent.

It’s a tale as old as time for the Joneses. The hope is that these deals end up working out in the Cowboys’ favor. But, recent history paints a different story. For now, let’s take a look at all of those in-house signees and give them grades. Keep in mind that this list only includes players who were free agents heading into the 2022 season.

10. Jayron Kearse, S
Grade: A
Contract: Two-year extension worth $10 million

Jayron Kearse is a perfect example of what every player attempts to do when they sign a one-year, prove-it deal. When Kearse originally signed with the Cowboys ahead of 2021, there was little-to-no buzz about him. He was a typical Jerry Jones bargain bin signing. However, after five years in the NFL, Kearse had his best year yet in Dallas. He started in 15 games and had two interceptions, nine tackles for loss, six QB hits, and 101 tackles.

For the rest of the grades see the following link:

https://thelandryhat.com/2022/03/24/cowboys-grading-internal-free-agency-moves-offseason/

Thought the article was fair.

 

[john van brocklin]

I also wouldn't say Dallas has no kicker after cutting Zuerlein. It has an inexperienced one in Chris Naggar. I'm not sure how the team feels about him, but after switching from punter to kicker in 2020 for Texas A&M, he led the conference in FG accuracy, going 17 of 21. He's 1 for 1 on FGs as a pro (although 1 of 2 on extra points.

Since he was signed to a futures contract, the Cowboys might only see him as a camp body, but he's not all that different than players we've picked up as UDFAs over the years. In fact, one of our best, Dan Bailey, had the same number of missed FGs his senior year (albeit on 28 attempts) and that's with having started at the spot since his freshman year.

I'm not advocating just going with Naggar. There's a couple of kickers I'd prefer to get. But I just wouldn't be surprised if we did, and I wouldn't say we don't have a kicker.

Hope we sign a few kickers
Let them battle it out in camp

 

[zekecowboy]

I will wait until after the draft to form more of an overall off season opinion.
See how the draft works with the moves they made and have not made.

Still on paper it may not seem as a good of a team that went 12-5. But that is only on paper. Potential can look better if they hit the draft right.
Remember this was said last year as well. All potential on paper. As many expected to not even have a .500 record (as usual) but then Micah took the field.
Wait until we get the next Micah in this draft.

There is a big difference between picking 10th versus 24th.

 

[Oz-of-Cowboy-Country]

I don't understand why some are down on our moves so far. We loss Cooper, who disappeared in games. Gregory whose highest sack total for a season was six. We knew before seasons end that we needed a LG in the draft. So that just leaves Collins' and Wilson's departure as the only real losses to me. If we draft a RT, LG, and WR with our first three picks, then we could be right back in the thick of things.

 

[jazzcat22]

There is a big difference between picking 10th versus 24th.

Yeah it’s called being a playoff team as opposed to sucking.
Give me the playoff team, and still get a decent player to add to it.

 

[jazzcat22]

I don't understand why some are down on our moves so far. We loss Cooper, who disappeared in games. Gregory whose highest sack total for a season was six. We knew before seasons end that we needed a LG in the draft. So that just leaves Collins' and Wilson's departure as the only real losses to me. If we draft a RT, LG, and WR with our first three picks, then we could be right back in the thick of things.

Right, it is not rocket science. But to some I guess it seems like it.

 

[gimmesix]

Hope we sign a few kickers
Let them battle it out in camp

That might be the best approach if we don't draft one.

 

[Bullflop]

I totally agree with what the OP had to say. Hopefully, we'll pull rabbits out of our hat in the draft. It must be successful, or it'll be an uphill struggle. Let's hope Stephen meant what he said about not being done in veteran free agency. Something better than 3rd-tier jags could help significantly.