Available FAs vs. who we signed

[jazzcat22]

Looking at a list of who is still available, I almost think I would have been more satisfied if we signed some of them than who we got. (Obviously, their asking prices could be higher, which is why they are still available.)

Going to leave off a few that probably aren't signed for injury reasons, such as Stefon Diggs, but here's who I would have taken instead of who we got

Some fans don’t like what they did or who they signed. But if they signed the others you listed. They would say would say they suck also, and should have signed the players they actually did sign.

 

[calicowboy54]

The thing that irritates me is Dallas doesn't reach out to many players. They just assume the price tag is too much and go for who they think will be cheap. None listed would prevent me from drafting anyone in any round. You simply can not have enough defensive help.

i think the reason is like others have said, signing these lower cost guys does not affect the comp pick calculation. i think if you threw the calculation out the window and just did give me a comp pick for a guy i lost and the signing did not affect it you would see more of what your looking for. after draft you will see those guys fly off the market at higher pay than other guys.

 

[gimmesix]

Someone posted comments about why the entire market has frozen. Until the draft, compensatory picks are still vulnerable to loss if you sign more players.

Once the draft happens, those restrictions are lifted and a lot of these guys will get quickly picked up.

So, there is still a chance that’s where our remaining cap goes

I do think that is part of the reason some of these players aren't signed yet and definitely after the draft when teams reassess their needs, a lot of them will get picked up.

I don't think we'll pick them up unless there is an injury or a player doesn't work out as projected. I think we're more likely to pick up a veteran during or after camp if we need it, hold on to the money so we can make an in-season trade if needed and then roll it over to the next year.

 

[gimmesix]

Some fans don’t like what they did or who they signed. But if they signed the others you listed. They would say would say they suck also, and should have signed the players they actually did sign.

No doubt. There's a lot of age in my choices and some believe strongly that you don't pay age. I think if you're giving one-year contracts, there's nothing wrong with paying age. It might not work out, but the same with the unproven FAs that we chose.

 

[gimmesix]

i think the reason is like others have said, signing these lower cost guys does not affect the comp pick calculation. i think if you threw the calculation out the window and just did give me a comp pick for a guy i lost and the signing did not affect it you would see more of what your looking for. after draft you will see those guys fly off the market at higher pay than other guys.

That is possible, that teams will meet their asking prices instead of those prices coming down.

I don't know if someone like Chubb would have signed for the same price that Williams did ($3 million). The only thing I know is that he's got no contract now, so I can't say what he'd accept. Some may assume he'd want more, but we don't know that.

 

[fivetwos]

Looking at a list of who is still available, I almost think I would have been more satisfied if we signed some of them than who we got. (Obviously, their asking prices could be higher, which is why they are still available.)

Going to leave off a few that probably aren't signed for injury reasons, such as Stefon Diggs, but here's who I would have taken instead of who we got

RB Nick Chubb instead of Javonte Williams (Both averaged under 4 yards per carry, but Chubb was in his first year back from an ACL tear and then broke his foot, which isn't a dealbreaker injury; prior to that, he had averaged over 5 yards per carry every year; Williams has averaged under 4 yards per carry each of the past two years)

RB J.K. Dobbins over Miles Sanders (I have no idea why Dobbins hasn't been signed by anyone yet unless he's asking for a lot of money; he averaged 4.6 YPC last year and rushed for 905 yards in 13 games.)

WR Tyler Boyd instead of Parris Campbell (Boyd has had a much better career with two 1,000-yard seasons and No. 2 receiver numbers in most years, but not last year)

OL Brandon Scherff instead of OL Rob Jones (Scherff's been in the game a long time, but at age 33, he's still better than Jones has ever been)

DE Za'Darius Smith instead of DE Payton Turner (Smith had 9 sacks last year compared to two for Turner and is solid against the run)

DE Matthew Judon over DE Dante Fowler (This one is definitely debatable since Fowler had more sacks last year than Judon, but Judon is the better overall player)

DT Calais Campbell over DT Solomon Thomas (This one was a little tougher since Campbell is 38, but he still started all 17 games last year and put up 52 tackles and 5 sacks, compared to 26 tackles and 3.5 sacks playing in 16 games for Thomas)

LB Kyzir White instead of LB Kenneth Murray (White's career has been more productive and he's proven himself already as a player.)

LB E.J. Speed over Jack Sanborn (I have to wonder if Eberflus doesn't care for his former linebacker Speed or just likes his most recent one Sanborn better; but it's probably just a price thing.)

CB Stephon Gilmore over CB Kairr Elam (I don't mind the Elam trade, but he may never be as good as Gilmore is now even at 34; could go with Rasul Douglas instead to go a little younger)

So my FA class: WR Tyler Boyd, RB Nick Chubb, RB J.K. Dobbins, OL Brandon Scherff, DE Za'Darius Smith, DE Matthew Judon, DT Calais Campbell, LB Kyzir White, LB E.J. Speed, CB Stephon Gilmore

Again it's noted that many of these probably would not accept Dallas' honest offer, but they are still out of work, so who knows? I'm also not saying these would have been my top FA choices overall just my picks from what's left.

I do think it is fair to say that Dallas chose multiple free agents who were younger and have more upside, but the Cowboys were able to get them for cheap because they haven't lived up to that upside.

I agree with your overall point, but I’m in a strange place as a fan.

A few of those guys makes them better, but by how much? Those are moves that should have been made years ago to supplement a very good roster. The depth/core from some better drafts years ago is mostly gone, and it feels like patching around the seams.

At this point they would only further solidify being stuck in mediocrity and I’m not sure how I feel about that. I don’t want to “make the playoffs” with 9-10 wins, get spanked then have Jerry continue to tell us how close they are and what a great job he is doing.

I strongly get the impression that rock bottom is the only shot at getting this thing back to where they have a shot to make consistent deep postseason runs (or even one). They seem to be well on their way.

 

[gimmesix]

I agree with your overall point, but I’m in a strange place as a fan.

A few of those guys makes them better, but by how much? Those are moves that should have been made years ago to supplement a very good roster. The depth/core from some better drafts years ago is mostly gone, and it feels like patching around the seams.

At this point they would only further solidify being stuck in mediocrity and I’m not sure how I feel about that. I don’t want to “make the playoffs” with 9-10 wins, get spanked then have Jerry continue to tell us how close they are and what a great job he is doing.

I strongly get the impression that rock bottom is the only shot at getting this thing back to where they have a shot to make consistent deep postseason runs (or even one). They seem to be well on their way.

Fair enough. I'm just not sure we are bad enough to hit rock bottom. Maybe if Dak doesn't come back from his injury well and we don't have an adequate No. 2. I think we're still a 9-10 team and that's what we would have been last year without the injuries.

My method every year would be to target one or two upgrades in free agency to fix weak links and supplement the draft. It definitely would not be only signing cheap FAs and hoping for the best.

As I said, the group I picked wouldn't necessarily be who I would have gone after. I am only picking from the best available this late into FA compared to who the team chose.

Dallas is rolling the dice on a lot of younger players who haven't proven much. I'd take vets who have proven they can play even if they may not have much left now.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I sincerely doubt that. They filled their losses and that's generally what they do in FA. The only loss they haven't filled is backup QB.

Other than that, I think it will be this summer before Dallas possibly dips back into free agency if it sees that a player or players is not working out as planned.

I’m saying if Zadarius Smith brings his price down to 3.5 million I think they would listen. I think they jumped on guys because they were cheap not because they were the better talent.

I feel the approach is to get hungry players in here who at one point had a high ceiling and are young. A lot of those guys listed are finished products and more expensive. Not saying younger means better because it certainly doesn’t.

 

[fivetwos]

Some fans don’t like what they did or who they signed. But if they signed the others you listed. They would say would say they suck also, and should have signed the players they actually did sign.

Do the same people often make conflicting comments? I read enough here but still wouldn’t know.

I guess it’s a matter of preference, but I’d say in general most want some actual quality FA additions once every decade and a half or so.

It’s clear they only want to fill in the cracks with cheap FA, and that actually does sound fine….provided it works…and it hasn’t, and they refuse change.

I’d say the frustration is warranted.

 

[CCBoy]

Someone posted comments about why the entire market has frozen. Until the draft, compensatory picks are still vulnerable to loss if you sign more players.

Once the draft happens, those restrictions are lifted and a lot of these guys will get quickly picked up.

So, there is still a chance that’s where our remaining cap goes

The Cowboys still need an experienced cornerback at some point.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

I think we are making a mistake looking at the guys Dallas signed or traded for as "answers". All they amount to are one year fill-ins so they are not forced into a specific position come draft time.

For example, Javonte Williams does NOT prevent you from drafting a running back next month. But he prevents you from HAVING to if another player at another position with a higher grade is sitting there.

And so on and so forth with all the other players. Dallas is just filling out the depth chart.

 

[phildadon86]

Someone posted comments about why the entire market has frozen. Until the draft, compensatory picks are still vulnerable to loss if you sign more players.

Once the draft happens, those restrictions are lifted and a lot of these guys will get quickly picked up.

So, there is still a chance that’s where our remaining cap goes

Stephen signed players to make sure the cowboys keep their comp picks. It’s the only logical explanation as to why they freed up all that space to sign depth players and not one impact guy other than Fowler. I’m hoping the LB from Tennessee can play, but everything else they did is hope. Hope isn’t a strategy.

As it stands right now. The only weapon on offense is still CeeDee.

Expect an offense heavy draft. To make up for once again not signing anyone to help this anemic offense.

 

[fivetwos]

Fair enough. I'm just not sure we are bad enough to hit rock bottom. Maybe if Dak doesn't come back from his injury well and we don't have an adequate No. 2. I think we're still a 9-10 team and that's what we would have been last year without the injuries.

My method every year would be to target one or two upgrades in free agency to fix weak links and supplement the draft. It definitely would not be only signing cheap FAs and hoping for the best.

As I said, the group I picked wouldn't necessarily be who I would have gone after. I am only picking from the best available this late into FA compared to who the team chose.

Dallas is rolling the dice on a lot of younger players who haven't proven much. I'd take vets who have proven they can play even if they may not have much left now.

Exactly what I mean. They aren’t close to rock bottom, but they aren’t close to being capable of a deep playoff run either…exactly where you don’t want to be.

Notice I didn’t even say “championship.” Just get yourself to a point where you’re in contention and take your shots while there. Be what Buffalo is now, what SF has been the last few years.

THATS when luck comes into play, not when you’re three playoff wins short after getting blown out.

I agree with the point of your OP, some other moves would have made them better, but to what end? Sorry I’m just fed up with mediocrity and the fraudulence of beating up bad teams. I’m somewhere within still pissed off, yet headed toward apathy, which I could never have imagined.

 

[gimmesix]

Exactly what I mean. They aren’t close to rock bottom, but they aren’t close to being capable of a deep playoff run either…exactly where you don’t want to be.

Notice I didn’t even say “championship.” Just get yourself to a point where you’re in contention and take your shots while there. Be what Buffalo is now, what SF has been the last few years.

THATS when luck comes into play, not when you’re three playoff wins short after getting blown out.

I agree with the point of your OP, some other moves would have made them better, but to what end? Sorry I’m just fed up with mediocrity and the fraudulence of beating up bad teams. I’m somewhere within still pissed off, yet headed toward apathy, which I could never have imagined.

I agree that the moves I listed likely would not have put them over the top even if they were an upgrade to the moves we made.

With this team unwillingly to make any big moves in free agency, we are likely to stay mired in mediocrity no matter if we have a good draft class.

It is very disappointing. I still hope for the best, though, and expect the worst.

 

[Stash]

Looking at a list of who is still available, I almost think I would have been more satisfied if we signed some of them than who we got. (Obviously, their asking prices could be higher, which is why they are still available.)

Going to leave off a few that probably aren't signed for injury reasons, such as Stefon Diggs, but here's who I would have taken instead of who we got

RB Nick Chubb instead of Javonte Williams (Both averaged under 4 yards per carry, but Chubb was in his first year back from an ACL tear and then broke his foot, which isn't a dealbreaker injury; prior to that, he had averaged over 5 yards per carry every year; Williams has averaged under 4 yards per carry each of the past two years)

RB J.K. Dobbins over Miles Sanders (I have no idea why Dobbins hasn't been signed by anyone yet unless he's asking for a lot of money; he averaged 4.6 YPC last year and rushed for 905 yards in 13 games.)

WR Tyler Boyd instead of Parris Campbell (Boyd has had a much better career with two 1,000-yard seasons and No. 2 receiver numbers in most years, but not last year)

OL Brandon Scherff instead of OL Rob Jones (Scherff's been in the game a long time, but at age 33, he's still better than Jones has ever been)

DE Za'Darius Smith instead of DE Payton Turner (Smith had 9 sacks last year compared to two for Turner and is solid against the run)

DE Matthew Judon over DE Dante Fowler (This one is definitely debatable since Fowler had more sacks last year than Judon, but Judon is the better overall player)

DT Calais Campbell over DT Solomon Thomas (This one was a little tougher since Campbell is 38, but he still started all 17 games last year and put up 52 tackles and 5 sacks, compared to 26 tackles and 3.5 sacks playing in 16 games for Thomas)

LB Kyzir White instead of LB Kenneth Murray (White's career has been more productive and he's proven himself already as a player.)

LB E.J. Speed over Jack Sanborn (I have to wonder if Eberflus doesn't care for his former linebacker Speed or just likes his most recent one Sanborn better; but it's probably just a price thing.)

CB Stephon Gilmore over CB Kairr Elam (I don't mind the Elam trade, but he may never be as good as Gilmore is now even at 34; could go with Rasul Douglas instead to go a little younger)

So my FA class: WR Tyler Boyd, RB Nick Chubb, RB J.K. Dobbins, OL Brandon Scherff, DE Za'Darius Smith, DE Matthew Judon, DT Calais Campbell, LB Kyzir White, LB E.J. Speed, CB Stephon Gilmore

Again it's noted that many of these probably would not accept Dallas' honest offer, but they are still out of work, so who knows? I'm also not saying these would have been my top FA choices overall just my picks from what's left.

I do think it is fair to say that Dallas chose multiple free agents who were younger and have more upside, but the Cowboys were able to get them for cheap because they haven't lived up to that upside.

I think this would make for an interesting examination and comparison if and when the alternative players listed have signed.

That way we can compare the numbers to see whether or not they made sense and were a viable alternative.

 

[NotaCowboysFan]

All these options are better but it comes down to money and if these guys, especially the older ones actually view Dallas as a desirable place to end their careers.

 

[Cowboysheelsreds053]

Looking at a list of who is still available, I almost think I would have been more satisfied if we signed some of them than who we got. (Obviously, their asking prices could be higher, which is why they are still available.)

Going to leave off a few that probably aren't signed for injury reasons, such as Stefon Diggs, but here's who I would have taken instead of who we got

RB Nick Chubb instead of Javonte Williams (Both averaged under 4 yards per carry, but Chubb was in his first year back from an ACL tear and then broke his foot, which isn't a dealbreaker injury; prior to that, he had averaged over 5 yards per carry every year; Williams has averaged under 4 yards per carry each of the past two years)

RB J.K. Dobbins over Miles Sanders (I have no idea why Dobbins hasn't been signed by anyone yet unless he's asking for a lot of money; he averaged 4.6 YPC last year and rushed for 905 yards in 13 games.)

WR Tyler Boyd instead of Parris Campbell (Boyd has had a much better career with two 1,000-yard seasons and No. 2 receiver numbers in most years, but not last year)

OL Brandon Scherff instead of OL Rob Jones (Scherff's been in the game a long time, but at age 33, he's still better than Jones has ever been)

DE Za'Darius Smith instead of DE Payton Turner (Smith had 9 sacks last year compared to two for Turner and is solid against the run)

DE Matthew Judon over DE Dante Fowler (This one is definitely debatable since Fowler had more sacks last year than Judon, but Judon is the better overall player)

DT Calais Campbell over DT Solomon Thomas (This one was a little tougher since Campbell is 38, but he still started all 17 games last year and put up 52 tackles and 5 sacks, compared to 26 tackles and 3.5 sacks playing in 16 games for Thomas)

LB Kyzir White instead of LB Kenneth Murray (White's career has been more productive and he's proven himself already as a player.)

LB E.J. Speed over Jack Sanborn (I have to wonder if Eberflus doesn't care for his former linebacker Speed or just likes his most recent one Sanborn better; but it's probably just a price thing.)

CB Stephon Gilmore over CB Kairr Elam (I don't mind the Elam trade, but he may never be as good as Gilmore is now even at 34; could go with Rasul Douglas instead to go a little younger)

So my FA class: WR Tyler Boyd, RB Nick Chubb, RB J.K. Dobbins, OL Brandon Scherff, DE Za'Darius Smith, DE Matthew Judon, DT Calais Campbell, LB Kyzir White, LB E.J. Speed, CB Stephon Gilmore

Again it's noted that many of these probably would not accept Dallas' honest offer, but they are still out of work, so who knows? I'm also not saying these would have been my top FA choices overall just my picks from what's left.

I do think it is fair to say that Dallas chose multiple free agents who were younger and have more upside, but the Cowboys were able to get them for cheap because they haven't lived up to that upside.

If that’s T. Boyd for the bengals, no way the Clampetts was going to sign him. Would love to have him but our top brass are not like others.

 

[big dog cowboy]

The thing that irritates me is Dallas doesn't reach out to many players. They just assume the price tag is too much and go for who they think will be cheap. None listed would prevent me from drafting anyone in any round.

It might be more than price. Many players want to go to certain areas of the country and not others. Many players might not want to play in Dallas. Many players might not fit the scheme in Dallas. There are so many factors that go into it, it's easy to say why didn't we go after this or that player but the answer might be something we will never know.

 

[charron]

It might be more than price. Many players want to go to certain areas of the country and not others. Many players might not want to play in Dallas. Many players might not fit the scheme in Dallas. There are so many factors that go into it, it's easy to say why didn't we go after this or that player but the answer might be something we will never know.

All of that can be true. But the reason the Dallas Cowboys do not reach out to certain players is their perceived price. We know that is the case most of the time because the clowns fully admit they mostly like the players to reach out to them.

 

[Rayman70]

If healthy all year, Murray and Sanborn will have great years. Murray, Sanborn, Luafao would be good starters. Plus we could draft another. Sanborn is a guy that has a lot of Sean Lee in him. Great instincts. Still can't believe the Bears let him walk. Dude is young. I have no complaints with our signings.