I think most fans do not understand the off season this coming year. First the salary cap is rising some 10 million so we will have some $110 to 130 million available after a few cuts before we even sign anyone like a Prescott, Cooper, Jones, Quinn or Collins. Second because this is the last year of the CBA we will have the franchise and transitional tags of which we can use both so the likelyhood of keeping Prescott, Cooper and Jones is higher since we really only have to sign one of the three before tagging the other two. Third and an important factor is no team can use a June 1st cut to spread the cap of the cut player into two years instead of taking the full cap in one year i.e. if you cut a guy it goes all on the 2020 salary cap.
As to Dallas and free agents, as much as many of us would like to sign a couple of big time guys that will help us, it just isn't going to happen. All we have to do is look at what Stephen Jones has institute the last several years so don't expect anything in the first week to 10 days of free agency. Like it or not, that is what is going to happen regardless of who the new coach is.
In the draft, it will be interesting to see where we 1) end up drafting (anywhere between 13 and 21) (yes it could be 31 or 32 in our dreams) and if history tells us anything I could see Dallas attempting to acquire a couple of second day picks depending on how the draft falls.
Lastly, the new coach and who it might be. Based on the times we have changed coaches, have to believe that the Jones will try and make that splash on the Monday after we are done whether after the last game of the regular season or a playoff game if we make it there. So far I have seen 36 names that are linked to the Cowboys and realistically I would bet the Jones have already contacted the guy they want and are negotiating with him already. Sure they have to do interviews according to the NFL rules but as with most teams when changing coaches, they know who they want and the rest is for the media and show. My best guess is would be between Lincoln Riley, Mike McCarthy, Tony Elliott, Greg Roman, and Chris Peterson.
Should be an interesting January through April.