Cowboys Free Agent Wishlist

[Jason 82 Witten]

I still don't understand why people want Manziel

 

[Frosty]

Living in the DC area I can say without a doubt that there was NO WAY Griffin would have been released in the 2015 offseason....whether they picked up the option or not. Whether Gruden would have played Cousins regardless is a different story. As I said, they were done with him as the "future" of the franchise.

I equate to the Cowboys situation with Mo Claiborne. Even though they didn't pick up the option on his deal, was there ever a true sense that he would be released this season? Even before OScan went down? I never had that sense. Teams don't generally just throw away their top 10 players without milking as much out of them as they can to get a return on investment.

Still doesn't change the fact, that the Coaching staff and GM wanted nothing to do with him....that is a huge Red Flag..... Things were so bad in DC that the Coaches and GM put their jobs on the line for the Backup QB not RG3.... You cant rewrite history....RG3 had his chance, he came in and played a Mike Vick role....to good to be coached......He will go down as one-of-many NFL running QB's that failed to adapt to the NFL.

 

[slick325]

Still doesn't change the fact, that the Coaching staff and GM wanted nothing to do with him....that is a huge Red Flag..... Things were so bad in DC that the Coaches and GM put their jobs on the line for the Backup QB not RG3.... You cant rewrite history....RG3 had his chance, he came in and played a Mike Vick role....to good to be coached......He will go down as one-of-many NFL running QB's that failed to adapt to the NFL.

Let me be clear...I am not a Bob Griffin fan but I also am not in the business of making definitive statements about young players. If there is a choice between Griffin and Manziel...I'd pick Griffin because he will not get in trouble off the field and had shown he can play in this League at some level.

As I said, I am not adverse to them signing him AND drafting Goff or Wentz in April.

 

[Beast_from_East]

Let me be clear...I am not a Bob Griffin fan but I also am not in the business of making definitive statements about young players. If there is a choice between Griffin and Manziel...I'd pick Griffin because he will not get in trouble off the field and had shown he can play in this League at some level.

As I said, I am not adverse to them signing him AND drafting Goff or Wentz in April.

Good points..................I do the same. I draft a QB at pick 4 and then sign either Manziel or RG3 to a cheap "show me" contract and let them come to camp to compete with Moore.

I take 3 QBs into the season..........Romo, the draft pick, and whichever vet shows me the most.

 

[ccb04]

I like a lot of what you said. I do not see us going for too many big names, but possibly a number of mid-tier free agents that will not cost a ton, but will still provide a bump in talent.

I agree that the staff will probably roll with Jones at FS and Church/Wilcox at SS, but I would prefer a mid-level FA. Iloka is a guy I have been thinking about.

I really like the idea of Glennon. He could be a solid back up right away but he is also young and talented enough to be a possible future starter.

I agree a 1-tech would help a ton, I'm just not going to hold my breath as the staff seems to really like Hayden.

The only big kinda big name I would like to see is Danny Trevathan. I would like another consistent play making LB and I think with the number of FA's Denver will have this year he may be available.

I like Trevathan quite a bit. Also like his teammate Brandon Marshall. Both went over 100+ tackles, and both are solid in coverage. Denver likely has a decision to make, as both are also unrestricted free agents. Would take either. I also like LB Joshua Perry from Ohio St. in the draft.

Exactly my thoughts regarding Glennon. And as Stephen Jones mentioned...he thinks the best approach is likely to add a vet & a draft pick, and I would agree. While not the only option, I simply think Glennon is the best 'vet' option.

Jaye Howard has come into his own for the Chiefs, and they would like to keep him around. He was quite stout vs. the run & can also push the pocket, both areas the Cowboys of course need to improve. He had 57 tackles & 5.5 sacks on the year. But the Chiefs have some other expensive free agents, to include Berry & CB Sean Smith. Johnson is another. They gave Justin Houston a huge deal...and also extended DE Alvin Bailey. Plus, they also have Poe at NT. But, they would still like to try to keep Howard.

 

[Cowboy4ever]

I find it funny that in one breath people say Jerry is not a true football guy and then in the next breath say we should bring in JFF or RG3. If that is what a "real" football guy would do, then I thank the football gods, Jerry is not one. They are both bums, and in JFF case, a stupid no talent bum. Neither one of them should ever ever ever be considered to be a QB on this team, not even if they agreed to be the 5th string QB backing up Showers on the PS.

 

[Galian Beast]

I find it funny that in one breath people say Jerry is not a true football guy and then in the next breath say we should bring in JFF or RG3. If that is what a "real" football guy would do, then I thank the football gods, Jerry is not one. They are both bums, and in JFF case, a stupid no talent bum. Neither one of them should ever ever ever be considered to be a QB on this team, not even if they agreed to be the 5th string QB backing up Showers on the PS.

Low risk, high reward. Not sure what's difficult to understand about it.

 

[StarBoyz83]

For sure is wish list. Don't see any of it happening except getting manziel or griffin.

 

[Frosty]

Low risk, high reward. Not sure what's difficult to understand about it.

Low risk, high reward for a backup QB....do you want to win a championship or help Jerry sell tickets........both JF and RG3 are Drama Queens (money makers for merchandise). The media frenzy will tear them up and create locker room distractions... They think the media was bad in Cleveland and DC...it will be twice as bad if the Cowboys role the dice on one of these risky drama field players.....Look at all this Hardy drama......it will be the same thing with RG3 and JF. Garrett needs to keep control of the locker room and not have to be distracted with players use social media as mind games.....Bring in the right type of guys.....and get this team fixed.....

20years of Jerry Jones playing risk and rewards games has got this team NOTHIN but EMBARRASSMENT......time to build this team with the right players.

 

[dallasdave]

Here are the players that I would like us to sign and draft.

QB
Johnny Manziel [Potential Trade] - There are two ways I could see us getting him. Either in a trade in which I would want to incorporate Josh Gordon somehow. I'd give the Browns maybe a 3rd or a 4th round pick for both Gordon and Manziel. If he were released, I would pick him up off of waivers and let him sit the next two years. He has flashed ability, and it would be worth bringing him in to see if he can mature and grow under Tony Romo. I think sometimes people forget this guy is still pretty young. I wouldn't write him off entirely yet. I think the key here is that he would be your 3rd guy. You would still want to get one of these other guys. 2 million dollars per year.

Robert Griffin III - As much as people dislike the guy, he also has ability. I don't think he ever got a fair shot in Washington, and in that I don't mean that Washington was unfair to him, he might have been just as responsible for that as anyone else. What I mean was he never got a real opportunity to grow as a QB in one system. Would be a great backup option. 4-5 million dollars per year.

Matt Moore - I think we've all liked this guy for a long time. He is the quintessential backup QB. Should have picked him up when we had the chance. 2.5 million dollars per year.

Kaepernick - If Kaepernick was available, I would certainly want him to be the #2. I'm guessing another team would want to start him though. I would cap out at about 6-7 million dollars per year. Wouldn't get him and Manziel though.

Any of these guys would help prevent us from reaching for a QB in the draft.

Low end total - 4.5 million
High end total - 7 million

RB
Lamar Miller - Miller excels in a ZBS and would do even better with improved blocking in Dallas compared to Miami. With assured carries, Miller could even be a star here. I would definitely get him, and probably even make him the starter over McFadden, who did a good job here this year, but never excelled in the ZBS. If we got Miller, I'd hope we wouldn't need to address RB high in the draft. I don't think Miller will break the bank either, as I think I've seen suggested here already. Probably 4-6 million per year.

Lance Dunbar - I think the front office isn't quite sure what to do with Dunbar. He will probably make a bit of bank on the open market given what he did in the first few games here, but there will be that question mark due to his injury. I'd at least like to see us resign him for one or two years. Miller, McFadden, Dunbar, would make for a good running back corp. Dunbar needs to know that running backs are a dime a dozen, especially with a deep market in the draft. 1.5 million dollars.

Low End Total - 10 million dollars
High End Total - 14.5 million dollars

WR
Alshon Jeffery - Doesn't have the speed I would like to enhance our offense, but does have the playmaking ability and would still require teams to account for him which would help open things up for our offense tremendously, especially if Miller is what we think he could be for us. Would help us with not having to draft a WR high in the draft. Signing him would basically mean forgoing replacing Hardy in free agency. That would be putting a lot of pressure and responsibility on Gregory, who really hasn't shown us that he can deliver. Probably give him 9-11 million per year.

Josh Gordon [Trade] - If we can't get Jeffery, Josh Gordon would be an interesting choice, it would mean we wouldn't have to draft a guy who might take two or three years to develop. We would have a top flight offense with him and Dez on opposite corners and if they could both stay out of trouble and stay healthy. I still think it is possible that the Browns cut ties with both he and Manziel altogether. In which I would offer him a one year prove it deal. His cost would depend mostly on how you get him, but lets say it was equivalent to the 2nd round tender of 2.5 million. We won't be going forward with this scenario anyways.

Scenario A
Low End Total - 19 million
High End Total - 25.5 million

Scenario B
Low End Total - 12.5 million
High End Total - 16.5 million

Safety
Tashaun Gipson - Weddle and Berry are the names most mentioned, but I would actually get Gipson if possible. I'm still not sure I would go after a free safety in free agency when I want Jones to play Free Safety, but if we could get Gipson for a better price than Weddle or Berry, perhaps we could afford to have two Free Safeties out there. He got a 2nd round tender last year that he played on this year. Very young and very talented player. Probably looking at 7-9 million per year.

Low End Total - 26 million
High End Total - 34.5 million


Defensive Tackle
Tony McDaniel - McDaniel would be an instant upgrade over Hayden, period point blank. After the defensive upheaval in Tampa, I doubt he would re-sign there. 1.5 million dollars

Low End Total - 27.5 million
High End Total - 36 million

Middle linebacker
Rolando McClain - I would resign him one more time, and try to see if he can give us a full year. 3 million dollars.

Low End Total - 30.5 million
High End Total - 39 million

You can probably get there by restructuring Dez Bryant and Tyron Smith. I'd like to see Romo and Witten do team friendly pay cuts as well as the high end figure here might be difficult to pull off without their help and honestly, I'd love to see us add in Mario Williams as well, and that might be doable given that those numbers are based on average salaries, not what their 2016 salaries would be.

Good write up !!!

 

[big dog cowboy]

I still don't understand why people want Manziel

Well said. I like the way you cut right thru the BS.

 

[Cowboy4ever]

Low risk, high reward. Not sure what's difficult to understand about it.

high risk no reward would be more accurate. Low money is what you meant. The risk with either these bums is high. They could both easily be a cancer in the locker room. They can't play, so having them gives no reward on game day. One is a head case with very little ability to play in this league and the other is a gimmick qb. Neither one could function in our offense. They are both bums that would provide no help. So what is the high reward?

 

[jobberone]

I nearly forgot all about Josh Gordon. Is he anywhere near coming back to the league?

GL to him but I don't want that knucklehead anymore than Manziel. Hard to get around testing these days so you can't compare the early 90s players with those today.

QB: Don't know where Fitzpatrick will end up or Keenum. There are a couple of others of interest to be a backup. You almost have to get an older QB to be a capable and willing backup.

RB: Enough to choose from but I'd let it lie

FB: Tolbert is the big RB/FB I've wanted for awhile. He can block, run and catch At what cost?

WR: Alshon then Alshon then Kamar Aiken and Marvin Jones. Not sure about James Jones but I like him.

TE: Keep what you have the grass is just greener on the other field. Your mantra is hybrid TE then use him as one.

OT: Draft another OT; a left OT

C: Consider signing a swing G/C; hard to say what's out there that can do both. IDK the league well enough to know who can do both well enough. Plenty of interior lineman around. Bernie is ok at G but I don't like him at C as much.

Enough for now. We will likely go after S, CB, LB, 3 tech, pass rusher, OT, and WR signing 2 or 3 of that grp. I left QB out because I don't have any idea who will really be available after mid March.

 

[rpntex]

There is no way I'm offering anything more than a bucket of warm spit for Gordon. I'm not interested in giving up a draft pick for someone who's yet to show that he has the intelligence to stay off the commissioner's suspended list. What's more, he hasn't played in over a season...where's the proof he can still play?

 

[darthseinfeld]

I still don't understand why people want Manziel

He won a Heisman Trophy in the state of Texas

 

[Alexander]

He won a Heisman Trophy in the state of Texas

There is more to it than that for some people. You could say the same thing about Griffin. People love him because he is a local and was amazing his first year.

They are both equally nauseating to me for different reasons and I really really hate the fact that it might just come down to the two of them.

 

[Kolemmitt]

I like Trevathan quite a bit. Also like his teammate Brandon Marshall. Both went over 100+ tackles, and both are solid in coverage. Denver likely has a decision to make, as both are also unrestricted free agents. Would take either. I also like LB Joshua Perry from Ohio St. in the draft.

Exactly my thoughts regarding Glennon. And as Stephen Jones mentioned...he thinks the best approach is likely to add a vet & a draft pick, and I would agree. While not the only option, I simply think Glennon is the best 'vet' option.

Jaye Howard has come into his own for the Chiefs, and they would like to keep him around. He was quite stout vs. the run & can also push the pocket, both areas the Cowboys of course need to improve. He had 57 tackles & 5.5 sacks on the year. But the Chiefs have some other expensive free agents, to include Berry & CB Sean Smith. Johnson is another. They gave Justin Houston a huge deal...and also extended DE Alvin Bailey. Plus, they also have Poe at NT. But, they would still like to try to keep Howard.

I wonder what Glennon would cost us? 3rd rounder? 4th rounder? I am not sure I would go higher than that.

 

[davey999]

I would take RG3, want no part of Manziel.

 

[8FOR!3]

RG3's legs are done. I think Manziel's a toss up but you know exactly what you've got with RG3 and it isn't good. I'd much rather have Chase Daniel or even Colt McCoy over either of them, but it's not like we can afford them. I think Manziel is good value at a 5th or 6th round pick. Why do I feel that way? Because a 5th or 6th round pick is at best typically a JAB. I bet Manziel with a good running game along with Dez/maybe Treadwell/Witten could beat some teams. I'm a fan of having a backup who's duel threat. Kaepernick's a viable and maybe better albeit more expensive option, but I don't think there's a huge difference in talent between the three so it cracks me up that people are so dead set on it not being Manziel. If he goes out drinking so what? If he becomes a major problem, cut him and sign someone who undoubtably wouldn't be much different than RG3. I'm not convinced with his injury past he's much better than Kellen Moore at this point.

 

[Sandyf]

It is amazing on what we think we know based on what sportwriters write in the case of Manziel and RGIII. Actions always speak louder than words. What we know about Manziel is that he can make great plays and great mistakes both on and off the field. He hasn't grown up yet, not by a long shot. Coming to Dallas isn't going to change that fact. He appears to believe he is entitled to everything by his actions of going to Vegas in disguise and then ignoring the doctors from his own team missing meeting for concussion protocol.

Is RGIII better? Well the fact is he was a prima dona during his 1st year as rookie of the year. The 2nd year maybe a bit of same but really he should have never played injured, stupid, stupid. Now look at this year, here is a guy that could have made waves all year about not playing, being the better QB, etc., etc. yet by the players around him own admission not sportwriters, he was supportive all year long to all his teammates. He didn't speak out not once.

Who is the more talented of the two? Does any of us truly know? That is for scouts and coaches to determine. Do either fit our system or could either learn our system to be a good backup, heck even a starter if necessary? Again that is a coaches decision. Truly it will come down to the Jerry, Stephen, and Jason decision but it has to also factor into team chemistry and how that person gets along with his teammates and wants to improve.

Right now there isn't any doubt that it would be RGIII over Manziel by a country mile.

Now the bigger question is if Dallas is actually looking at either of them? Hue Jackson was just hired in Cleveland so we don't have a clue as to if he wants Manziel or Josh Gordon for that matter. Based on his history and since he didn't draft Manziel, I expect Cleveland to release him very soon and Gordon also. Trading for either would be foolhardy at best.Will Cleveland draft a QB at #2? Maybe but I also don't believe they will pass on Bosa and could easily get a QB with what will be pick #32 since New England doesn't have a pick in the 1st, so in effect two 1st round picks.

I am not convinced that Dallas will try to sign either RGIII or Manziel but you have to wonder about RGIII when Romo meets with him, his aunt and uncle being invited to meet with Jerry after the last game. Sure they could be just friends but then again...

Frankly Dallas has many needs of which a few at least need to be addressed in free agency. We all have our favorites and reasons why and none of us will really know until March 9th when free agency starts but here are my wishes and why.

Eric Berry S Kansas City - Not sure how KC is going to approach him but the pairing of Berry with Jones would be quite a safety tandem, both can cover, both can tackle very well, and no I wouldn't cut Church but I would move him to the SAM LB.

Sean Smith CB Kansas City - probably not on a lot of peoples mind but a good man to man guy, at 6'3" 210 and long arms sure help against the big WRs, not afraid to mix it up and has good hands, cost would be mid range

Bruce Irvin LB Seattle - sure most see him as a one trick pony but go check the last 25 games with him, he has done very well filling in at MLB, has size, speed, and can get to the QB, cost would be mid range stuff

I would like to see a DT and DE also but not sure we would sign more than 3 main guys in free agency. Will we resign Hardy? Right now I think not but things do change. If and it is a big if, Dallas decides to go for RGIII or what I believe to be a mistake Manziel then it does change some things but I do see us drafting a QB in the draft just where will be a huge mystery until late April in Chicago.