2017 Free Agents. Decisions

[ghst187]

Another thought....should we go after Marcellus Bennett as an all-around TE this offseason when his contract is up.

Pro---faster, stronger, and much better than Witten who is at the end. Excellent receiver and great blocker.

Con---we'd have to outbid NE who definitely want him back

Sorry no turds allowed plus he hates Witten. Been there done that, wasted the draft pick.

 

[Bluefin]

I don't think you've seen the DE free agent list. it's bad

And what's our situation at DE?

Right now, our 2017 DE list includes DeMarcus Lawrence (drug program, back surgery), Benson Mayowa (trouble getting on the field this season) and Charles Tapper (on Injured Reserve all season).

There will be veteran free agents that can help at the position this off-season, some high priced veterans may also get released by their current clubs.

Dallas needs to sign at least one, inking two might not hurt.

Fortify the position as best as you can before entering the draft hoping to land more help.

 

[BAT]

Culliver sucks

He's been injured most of last 2 seasons but supposedly 100% now. Before his injury he had a knack for INTs and was very physical in run game, 3 consecutive seasons with at least one pick . At 6-0 200 4.36 is perfect for a Marinelli corner and very good STer. Still in his 20's too.

He may be an idiot off the field but he is a good player on the field when healthy.

 

[xwalker]

He's been injured most of last 2 seasons but supposedly 100% now. Before his injury he had a knack for INTs and was very physical in run game, 3 consecutive seasons with at least one pick . At 6-0 200 4.36 is perfect for a Marinelli corner and very good STer. Still in his 20's too.

He may be an idiot off the field but he is a good player on the field when healthy.

Minimize the idiots.

Only consider a character issue player if he is elite and the investment is low.

Greg Hardy getting paid per game was a good risk, but most are not.

Garrett is not the best HC to deal with character issue players.

 

[NextGenBoys]

At WR, I think T-Will will get overpaid by another team. Look what some FA WR's got last off-season.

Allen Hurns 4 years/40 mil....gross.
Marvin Jones 5 year/40 mil
Mohamed Sanu 5 years/32 mil

I bet we could get Brice Butler back reallllly cheap. I wouldn't mind Butler as the #2 and drafting a WR to groom as the eventual #2. Dak and Butler have shown to have good chemistry in limited opportunities for Butler.

Our number 2 WR is in essence our 4th option. Maybe even 5th if Zeke gets more involved next year.

 

[EPL0c0]

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.

look around the league, we see OLinemen playing/starting on other teams, so hopefully the scouting dept can find some solid depth/talent

 

[BAT]

Minimize the idiots.

Only consider a character issue player if he is elite and the investment is low.

Greg Hardy getting paid per game was a good risk, but most are not.

Garrett is not the best HC to deal with character issue players.

Scandrick is an idiot off field too, is he a cut?

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Here are the 2017 free agents and what I think the Cowboys will do:

Rolando McClain Gone, for sure....suspended indefintley.
Morris Claiborne we have to find a way to resign him, with some kind of an incentive laden contract based on number of games played.
Ron Leary Hmmm, interesting choice here. do we let free go and move Collins or Martin to right tackle and keep leary...he wants paid
Barry Church keep for another couple of years..... and draft a replacement.
Mark Sanchez keep on the cheap and let moore go....moore has no future....sanchez is a veteran that can fill in
Andrew Gachkar PROBABLY GONE
Darren McFadden GONE
Lance Dunbar GONE
Jack Crawford probably gone, depends on how we do in the offseason on DEs...... we have a bunch of Jags at DE right now
Gavin Escobar he is way more than done. swaim is the back up and hanna is blocking TE
Terrell McClain maybe one more year
Justin Durant gone
Johsua Thomas gone.
Terrance Williams GONE
Kellen Moore gone....
J.J. Wilcox keep. when his responsibilities are simplified he is athletic and can play a little.
Brice Butler I think some one will pay a little money to TW and we won't match. he is the 2nd WR. has size, speed and similar hands to TW.

we have to some how keep most of secondary in tact. we can't start to rebuild. this is beginning of a window of opportunity and we can't get into rebuild defense mode. keep Claiborne, Brown has shown som ability and hopefully scandrick will be two years removed from injury and can play couple of more years. we need to draft another safety/cb in the first round and a LB. I don't think we are going to find a pass rushing DE that low in the draft. good ones go early, so FA is where we have to look for a DE or perhaps a trade. Maybe Romo to Jets for one of their DTs, DEs and a pick. they desparatley need a QB and are deep at DL spot.

 

[T-RO]

Scandrick is an idiot off field too, is he a cut?

Are you being sarcastic?

 

[JoeyBoy718]

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

I'd feel more comfortable getting rid of Free if we had Collins and Green to compete for the RT spot. Imagine letting Leary and Free go, then relying on Green and Collins to play 16+ games.

 

[T-RO]

We will regret it (losing Leary). Just stupid to let him go and create a void.

I regret that I can't buy a new car right now, but that's the reality of budgets.

 

[T-RO]

It wouldn't shock me if Free came back for a final season.

That being said, he hasn't had a good season.

I can see the Cowboys going either way on Free.

Is Free a $5million dollar player? Probably not, but since we won't be able to afford a long term deal on Leary...and we don't want to be replacing two starting linemen...he could be back for one last season.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

2017 Cowboys

Depth:

Offense

QB - Dak
RB - Zeke
WR - Dez, Beas, Williams/FA/rookie
TE - Witten, Swaim/Hanna, FA/rookie
LT - Smith
LG - Leary
C - Beard
RG - Martin
RT - Collins, Green

Defense

WDE - FA/rookie, Tapper
3DT - Collins, T. Crawford
1DT - T. McClain, Thornton
SDE - Lawrence, Irving, FA/rookie
SLB - Wilson
MLB - Smith
WLB - Lee
RCB - Mo
LCB - Brown, Carr/FA
SCB - Scandrick
FS - Jones
SS - Church, Wilcox/FA/rookie

Priorities:

Offense

* Get another WR by either 1) bringing back T. Will on the cheap, 2) getting FA, drafting early-ish WR.
* Bring back Leary.
* Get rid of Free. Let Collins and Green compete for RT spot. Loser is swing tackle and/or interior depth.
* Get rid of Escobar. Find a TE for post-Witten. Might have to address this in 2018 instead.

Defense
* Bring back Mo. He's a #1 CB when healthy. But don't break the bank.
* Start Brown at other CB spot. Bring back Carr or FA or draft rookie for depth.
* Bring back Church but find a way to improve SS spot (most likely draft).
* Let Smith take over MLB spot.
* Let Wilson continue to develop as SLB.
* Move T. Craw back inside.
* Bring back T. McClain.
* We should have 4-5 solid DTs (Collins, T. Craw, T. McClain, Thornton, Irving if he plays inside).
* Heavily address DE with high end FA and early draft picks.
* Keep Lawrence at SDE. Have Tapper backup at WDE.
* Find true WDE starter (most likely FA to start and rookie to backup).

 

[Bluefin]

we have to some how keep most of secondary in tact. we can't start to rebuild. this is beginning of a window of opportunity and we can't get into rebuild defense mode.

keep Claiborne, Brown has shown som ability and hopefully scandrick will be two years removed from injury and can play couple of more years.

Dallas will likely try to do a balancing act.

Keep some of their defensive free agents, add a few from other teams and then look for help in the draft.

Go to the draft with as few glaring needs as possible. Avoid reaching for help at thin spots too early. Follow the draft board closely. Use positional need, depth of positions in the draft as secondary criteria when deciding between closely ranked players.

Trades and waiver claims can also be used.

we need to draft another safety/cb in the first round and a LB.

I disagree.

We need to address CB, S, DE, etc. during free agency so that it isn't an absolute early in the draft. This doesn't mean we have to sign big ticket free agents to fill out the holes, though we may add a few. Just do something that can help cover an area for a year or two, if need be.

Be ready to do anything in the draft. Defense or offense, the mission is to find good players who make the team better long term.

I don't think we are going to find a pass rushing DE that low in the draft. good ones go early, so FA is where we have to look for a DE or perhaps a trade.

Did you notice Danielle Hunter in the game Thursday night?

2 sacks and 3 QB hits.

Hunter was a talented prospect at LSU who never had the production on the field to match his talent. He fell to the bottom half of the 3rd round last year, three spots ahead of Dallas selecting Chaz Green. Hunter had 6 sacks as a rookie and 9.5 so far this year playing in a reserve role.

The odds of finding an impact edge rusher are going to be greater the earlier you can select a prospect, but good drafting teams can find help in any round.

I'd sign to sign one or two DEs in free agency before also looking for a keeper in the draft.

Again, the idea is to be ready for any situation.

Maybe a coveted rusher falls to out pick, maybe one drops within range of trading up, maybe it can't be addressed until the later rounds.

I'm never crazy about surrendering picks to move up, but getting a pass rusher is worth it, even if his consistent impact may not come until year two or three. If the Cowboys cover themselves in free agency, they won't feel forced to trade up or to take a DE over a much higher graded player at another position with an early selection.

Maybe they will trade up or use another early pick on DE, but the other clubs won't be looking at them like they have to come away with a rusher on Thursday or Friday.

Maybe Romo to Jets for one of their DTs, DEs and a pick. they desparatley need a QB and are deep at DL spot.

Selfishly, I'd like a barren trade market for Tony Romo. He'd then agree to a reduced base salary with incentives if put back into the starter's job.

In reality, Dallas will work with Romo in the off-season if he lets them know he wants to leave and start elsewhere. I wouldn't expect a player for player trade, those just don't happen that often anymore. I'd want a 2017 draft choice and a 2018 conditional pick based on Romo's performance with his new team.

 

[Bluefin]

2017 Cowboys

Depth:

Offense

QB - Dak
RB - Zeke
WR - Dez, Beas, Williams/FA/rookie
TE - Witten, Swaim/Hanna, FA/rookie
LT - Smith
LG - Leary
C - Beard
RG - Martin
RT - Collins, Green

QB
Dak Prescott (23/24 July)
Tony Romo (36/37 April)

RB
Ezekiel Elliott (21/22 July)
Alfred Morris (28/29 Dec)
Darius Jackson (23/24 Dec)
Keith Smith (24/25 April)

TE
Jason Witten (34/35 May)
James Hanna (27/28 July)
Geoff Swaim (23/24 Sept)

WR
Dez Bryant (28/29 Nov)
Cole Beasley (27/28 April)
Lucky Whitehead (24/25 June)
Vince Mayle (25/26 June)

OL
Tyron Smith (26/27 Dec)
La'el Collins (23/24 July)
Travis Frederick (25/26 March)
Zack Martin (26/27 Nov)
Doug Free (33)
Chaz Green (24/25 April)
Joe Looney (26/27 Aug)
Emmett Cleary (26/27 April)

In addition to these players currently under contract for 2017, QB Jameill Showers, WR Andy Jones and TE Rico Gathers will all probably get signed to Futures contracts at the end of this season.

Priorities: Offense

* Get another WR by either 1) bringing back T. Will on the cheap, 2) getting FA, drafting early-ish WR.

Terrance Williams will most likely cost too much to re-sign. He does his job here, but it's tough to pay the open market price for a WR who is going to be the fourth or fifth option on offense. Brice Butler will be cheaper and/or maybe another inexpensive option is available.

I agree on drafting WR whenever the need fits with value.

* Bring back Leary.

Unexpected. Maybe no big offers are made and something gets worked out, but another club can probably go with large base salaries in years one and two that Dallas wouldn't want to do.

* Get rid of Free. Let Collins and Green compete for RT spot. Loser is swing tackle and/or interior depth.

I'd prefer to keep Doug Free on a reduced salary and let him compete at RT against Chaz Green. If Free gets tossed, we'd need to sign a free agent for depth and hope find an OT in the middle to late rounds.

* Get rid of Escobar. Find a TE for post-Witten. Might have to address this in 2018 instead.

Gavin Escobar will be a free agent, so he's gone.

It'll be interesting to see what Rico Gathers looks like next summer.

The team is probably ready to use another 2nd on a TE.

 

[Kaiser]

2017 Cowboys

Great post, the only difference I would have is that I can see the team going with Tyrone Crawford, Jack Crawford and Tapper at LDE with DLaw starting at RDE. I'm in the minority on that opinion, but I think the DEs would be OK if they added a situational edge rusher with a Dwight Freeney type (or lightning strikes and Randy Gregory plays to his talent).

 

[JoeyBoy718]

Great post, the only difference I would have is that I can see the team going with Tyrone Crawford, Jack Crawford and Tapper at LDE with DLaw starting at RDE. I'm in the minority on that opinion, but I think the DEs would be OK if they added a situational edge rusher with a Dwight Freeney type (or lightning strikes and Randy Gregory plays to his talent).

Not sure if I'd be too happy with that. Isn't much different from what we currently have. Lawrence looked great on the strong side with a beast drawing double teams on the weak side. We need to get that beast on the weak side. I think we need to address that in free agency because I don't trust a rookie to have an immediate impact. I think we use the money we save on cutting/trading Romo to target a free agent. We should also draft the best pass rushers available in the early rounds.

 

[Bluefin]

2017 Cowboys Defense

WDE - FA/rookie, Tapper
3DT - Collins, T. Crawford
1DT - T. McClain, Thornton
SDE - Lawrence, Irving, FA/rookie
SLB - Wilson
MLB - Smith
WLB - Lee
RCB - Mo
LCB - Brown, Carr/FA
SCB - Scandrick
FS - Jones
SS - Church, Wilcox/FA/rookie

Here are the defensive players currently under contract for next season.

DL
DE DeMarcus Lawrence (24/25 April)
DE Benson Mayowa (25/26 Aug))
DE Charles Tapper (23/24 May)
DT Tyrone Crawford (27/28 Nov)
DT Cedric Thornton (28/29 June)
DT Maliek Collins (21/22 April)
DT David Irving (23/24 Aug)

Suspension: Randy Gregory (24/25 Nov)

LB
Sean Lee (30/31 July)
Jaylon Smith (21/22 June)
Damien Wilson (23/24 May)
Anthony Hitchens (24/25 June)
Mark Nzeocha (27)
Kyle Wilber (27/28 April)

Suspension: Rolando McClain (27/28 July)

CB
Orlando Scandrick (30)
Anthony Brown (23/24 Dec)
Leon McFadden (26/27 April)

S
Byron Jones (24/25 Sept)
Kavon Frazier (22/23 Aug)
Jeff Heath (25/26 May)

Current Practice Squad players DE Zach Moore, LB Jeremiah George and CB Sammy Seamster will all likely sign Futures contracts following this season and return next year. I don't expect any of them to challenge for a spot on the 53, though.

* Bring back Mo. He's a #1 CB when healthy. But don't break the bank.

Hopefully, this gets worked out. The team likes Mo' and he likes being here.

* Start Brown at other CB spot. Bring back Carr or FA or draft rookie for depth.

Let Anthony Brown and Orlando Scandrick compete for the starting job. I'd like to keep Claiborne and churn Brandon Carr in favor of a younger player. Draft the position and sign as many undrafted CBs as possible.

* Bring back Church but find a way to improve SS spot (most likely draft).

Barry Church is a veteran leader on defense and the odds on favorite to return over fellow free agent to be J.J. Wilcox. Drafting a young SS to compete for a spot and a developmental FS in the later rounds to do the same would be nice.

* Let Smith take over MLB spot.

Bring it!

* Let Wilson continue to develop as SLB.

Already starting to bring it!

* Move T. Craw back inside.

Agreed.

I don't care about his contract or his stats. Tyrone Crawford is a good player. We need to keep good players. Craw can compete with Maliek Collins to start at UT, both will play a ton of snaps no matter who "starts."

* Bring back T. McClain.

Dallas already paid Cedric Thornton at NT, so Terrell McClain probably walks.

* We should have 4-5 solid DTs (Collins, T. Craw, T. McClain, Thornton, Irving if he plays inside).

I've got 4 with McClain leaving. Thornton, Crawford, Collins and David Irving. I want my 5th DT to be a draft pick or maybe an undrafted free agent or a young waiver claim. A youngster with legit upside.

* Heavily address DE with high end FA and early draft picks.

Love to!

Maybe even two free agents and a draft pick.

* Keep Lawrence at SDE. Have Tapper backup at WDE.

That's the plan, I hope. We've already seen what DeMarcus Lawrence can do when a real DE is on the other side of the line. I'll be ecstatic if Charles Tapper can become our 3rd or 4th end and bring some juice from either side as a reserve.

* Find true WDE starter (most likely FA to start and rookie to backup).

I expect it's line one in every fans off-season plan, no matter if they have started thinking that far ahead yet or not.

 

[Bluefin]

Great post, the only difference I would have is that I can see the team going with Tyrone Crawford, Jack Crawford and Tapper at LDE with DLaw starting at RDE. I'm in the minority on that opinion, but I think the DEs would be OK if they added a situational edge rusher with a Dwight Freeney type (or lightning strikes and Randy Gregory plays to his talent).

I'd like to keep Tyrone Crawford inside at UT where he can share snaps with Maliek Collins. Alternate them a few series at a time and both can be out there together on obvious passing downs. Keep them fresh and cry havoc!

We need to upgrade over Jack Crawford.

I hope Charles Tapper becomes a wave player next season who can provide positive snaps from either side.

I want to keep DeMarcus Lawrence primarily at LDE while adding a couple of players (vet & rookie) to bolster RDE.

I wouldn't mind adding a veteran LDE in a reserve role who wants to get a ring.

My ideal DL next year will be 10 deep, five ends and five tackles.

We already have 4 DTs, Ty Crawford, Ced Thornton, Mal Collins and David Irving. Adding a young NT to groom behind Thornton would be peaches.

DE isn't as stocked next year. DLaw, Tap and Benson Mayowa are under contract, but the first is in the drug program, the second hasn't played a snap to date and the third is by no means a lock to make the 53 next September. In my model, we don't have a starter yet at RDE and the back-up is also a question mark.

We need to get a starter in free agency and a reserve role player might be nice, too. Then hope something positive occurs in the draft for the long term.

 

[manster4ever]

Keep Leary, Mo and Church. Rest can go.