2017 Free Agents. Decisions

[Risen Star]

We are idiots if we don't re-sign Leary and move Collins to RT.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

Rolando McClain- Will not resign, even if reinstated
Morris Claiborne- Depends on price, would not mind Dre Kirkpatrick as opposed to Mo
Ron Leary- Priced out of our market
Barry Church- I'd resign, I don't see him commanding big money, likely around $4 million per
Mark Sanchez- cheap enough and a solid back up, although I'd insist in some sort of butt fumble clause. he does that **** once and he doesn't get paid.
Andrew Gachkar- I'd resign as well. solid special teams contributor, won't cost more than $1.5 million imo. won't be a huge market for him.
Darren McFadden- he can walk...if he can walk
Lance Dunbar- I think some team will pay him more than we want to pay, and I think Ezekiel Elliott is a better receiver anyway
Jack Crawford- If we can get him for roughly the same price, sure. Depending on how many DEs we draft, can be cut pretty easily or just moved back inside where he was better
Gavin Escobar- I think we have enough TE depth with Witten, Hanna, Swaim and Gathers (hopefully he can contribute in year two)
Terrell McClain- I don't think it's a coincidence that in a contract year he's been pretty healthy, I'd pass and move Maliek Collins to his spot
Justin Durant- I *think* he's gonna retire, but I'd keep him over Gachkar if he wants to keep playing. Durant doesn't do special teams,
Johsua Thomas- yea, gone
Terrance Williams- Pretty sure he will seek to go some where, where he can have a larger role. Likely sign a 1 year deal with a more pass happy team and hope he can strike it big in next year's free agency
Kellen Moore- PS at best
J.J. Wilcox- if we can resign him cheap enough, I would. I don't think the league views him as a starting safety, so he won't get big money, but he's solid depth at SS and solid on special teams.
Brice Butler- I think we really shouldn't let Butler and Williams walk, and imo, Butler will be the cheaper of the two. He was solid in Dez's absence, but has disappeared since he returned, which is understandable.

 

[Killerinstinct]

I agree, people saying "keep Leary" are living a dream. They have expressed how much they like Collins (age, contract in part) and Leary will command at least 5 million/yr next season.

With Martin's deal coming up soon, I think there's no way Leary stays here. It's really not Leary vs. Collins, it's Leary vs. Martin. (and I think we know who is more valuable there.)

It should be Leary vs Free with Collins moving to RT. IMO

 

[noletime95]

For those I that Saint Collins at RT, can he play the position effectively?

 

[jazzcat22]

We are not going to lose all those players.
And this is way too early to even think about this, or for me to anyway.

Just like last year at this time, we were making mock drafts already picking from 3 to 16th.

Haven't even looked or thought about looking at any college prospects yet.

 

[xwalker]

In only one season has he played less than half the games. Played 47 out of 76 games over his career.

Sure his injury history will diminish his value and some will question why he played so much better in a contract year.

But most every free agent will come with questions.

I like your idea of setting a budget and being willing to let him go if he gets a better offer. I just think the baseline offer needs to be more than you suggested.

Games started:
2016 7

2015 11

2014 3

2013 7

2012 15

 

[Killerinstinct]

Rolando McClain - never ti return
Morris Claiborne - Try to sign but will not get into any bidding wars
Ron Leary - I try to keep him - Free is the odd man out
Barry Church - He is offered a contract but no bidding wars
Mark Sanchez - I let him go
Andrew Gachkar - Hardly noticed him
Darren McFadden - I try to trade him now
Lance Dunbar - A decent weapon on a team with too many - I offer a cheap contract if he go's so be it
Jack Crawford - Offered a cheap contract
Gavin Escobar - Gone
Terrell McClain - Offer him a one year deal if he go's elsewhere that is fine
Justin Durant - He is getting up there and I am looking at LB's in the draft and FA so so long
Johsua Thomas GONE
Terrance Williams GONE
Kellen Moore - Cheap back up I keep him
J.J. Wilcox - Offered a deal but no bidding wars
Brice Butler - Starting to show something and with Williams leaving I try to sign him cheap

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Lots of folks are assuming that Collins can be an effective right tackle.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

We are idiots if we don't re-sign Leary and move Collins to RT.

It should be Leary vs Free with Collins moving to RT. IMO

Not sure why people assume it's a given that Collins would excel at RT. 34 inch arms are pretty much the standard at tackle, and he come in at 33.25. Yes there are pro bowl tackles that have similar arm length, however, most of them are taller than 6'4.

And if people complain about his pass protection inside, it surely won't get better at RT.

It possibly could work, but given that the coaching staff never gave him any reps at RT, there's literally no reason to think he would succeed there.

 

[jazzcat22]

The team already said, and even recently said, Collins will be kept at OG, they like him there better.

 

[Stash]

I think a more interesting conversation would be what guys under contract could be released in the offseason to clear cap space/not be a progress stopper.

Doug Free's contract numbers make him a restructure or release candidate so a decision will need to be made on him.

 

[cej757]

We are not going to lose all those players.
And this is way too early to even think about this, or for me to anyway.

Just like last year at this time, we were making mock drafts already picking from 3 to 16th.

Haven't even looked or thought about looking at any college prospects yet.

I saw a mock draft the other day that had the Cowboys drafting Alabama TE OJ Howard with the 32nd pick. Said it may not be a 1st rd De at that pick and Howard is clearly the best TE in the draft and would take the Cowboys offense to a new level. I thought it was interesting, He could be Witten's replacement.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

Lots of folks are assuming that Collins can be an effective right tackle.

In Madden, Collins goes from a 77 guard to a 79 RT (Free is a 76) so it's guaranteed to work...

 

[Stash]

http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/cornerback/

That's the FA class. This is really going to dictate why we bring back either Carr or Claiborne. Out of this list, these are the top CBs

Trumaine Johnson
Dre Kirkpatrick
Stephon Gilmore
Morris Claiborne

I don't see Rex allowing Gilmore to go, he likes his CBs too much. I think Bengals keep Kirkpatrick, so we might be in the running for Johnson. I would hope we would sign a nice depth guy as well with Scandrick being injury prone lately.

Most likely, I think we bring back Morris Claiborne and try to get someone like Johnson. If that fails, welcome back Carr for a 2 year deal and see what happens in the draft.

I agree with you. I think that either Claiborne or Carr return next year on a short term deal while the team tries to draft and develop a replacement.

 

[Bullflop]

Who is Joshua Thomas? never heard of him.

Perhaps only his family and friends know . . . he's not even on our roster.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

I saw a mock draft the other day that had the Cowboys drafting Alabama TE OJ Howard with the 32nd pick. Said it may not be a 1st rd De at that pick and Howard is clearly the best TE in the draft and would take the Cowboys offense to a new level. I thought it was interesting.

not gonna lie, I'd take OJ Howard, assuming no DE of equal ability fell, In part because he would do wonders for the offense and also, the meltdown here would be epic.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Not sure why people assume it's a given that Collins would excel at RT. 34 inch arms are pretty much the standard at tackle, and he come in at 33.25. Yes there are pro bowl tackles that have similar arm length, however, most of them are taller than 6'4.

And if people complain about his pass protection inside, it surely won't get better at RT.

It possibly could work, but given that the coaching staff never gave him any reps at RT, there's literally no reason to think he would succeed there.

Exactly right.

There's a reason why the Cowboys have said that Collins is staying at guard.

Their eyes tell them that he ain't an NFL quality RT.

 

[Stash]

Lots of folks are assuming that Collins can be an effective right tackle.

Yeah, that's gone on for a long time with some fans. All evidence to the contrary.

 

[jazzcat22]

I saw a mock draft the other day that had the Cowboys drafting Alabama TE OJ Howard with the 32nd pick. Said it may not be a 1st rd De at that pick and Howard is clearly the best TE in the draft and would take the Cowboys offense to a new level. I thought it was interesting, He could be Witten's replacement.

Well at least being a 1st round pick, the forum won't go crazy nuts insane over using a 2nd round pick on a TE....

 

[ghst187]

Would love to upgrade TW with Kenny Stills who I think could be a FA