Great post, YR.
WR: I think Dez is going to be re-signed anyway. If not, he can be given the franchise tag. I think Beasley is a must to re-sign. He's the only guy on the team that can effectively run pivot routes, he's young and hasn't gotten hurt. He can even fill in on returns. Williams' deal will be up in 2 years and Harris I don't think will cost much. I think a lot of this depends on Street's progress as Bryant is clearly our #1 WR for the future. If we like Street's progress, then we may stay put at WR. If not, then we may need to consider drafting a WR in the 3-5th round.
Dez Bryant isn't going anywhere, we know that.
Cole Beasley is scheduled to a restricted free agent this off-season and will need to be tendered at the 2nd round level (est $2.405M) to keep another team from signing him to an offer sheet.
It would be best to try to sign Beasley to an extension before free agency starts and avoid issuing a tender altogether.
I'm curious about Dwayne Harris, is he in the team's plans going forward and does he want to go elsewhere hoping for more snaps as a receiver?
I value Harris as a returner, I'm sure the Cowboys do as well, but he sees only limited looks as a receiver. Harris (160) only logged 10 more snaps than as a wideout than rookie Devin Street (150).
So what will Dallas pay to keep a return specialist who barely plays on offense?
Does Harris want to play more on offense? Will another team offer him that chance?
TE: I want Witten to stay.
But, I don't know what he'll have in the tank after 2016. And Escobar and Hanna's contracts will run out. I really like what I've seen from both this year. It's certainly progress. But, I tend to think there are bigger holes to fill than TE in 2-years for right now.
Jason Witten is still going strong, I'm not worried about him now and we'll just have to see what the position looks like after next season and in 2016.
James Hanna has really developed as a blocker and should be getting more looks as a receiver. He's under contract through 2015 and should be re-signed, provided he's willing.
Gavin Escobar is likely the heir to Witten, but he hasn't progressed enough as a blocker yet to replace Hanna.
Esc is under contract through 2016, that's when a decision with Witten will need to be made.
OT: My issue with cutting Free is I wonder what he would go for. I'm also not a huge fan of Parnell (pretty good backup, flawed as a starter). I wouldn't have a problem with us drafting a RT. Keep the strength of the team going.
If Doug Free is willing to amend the final two years of his contract ($8M base each yr) before it voids, we may not have to worry about what the market might offer the veteran RT. Does Free want to get paid top dollar or is he more interested in remaining with this team while still being handsomely compensated (say $4M per yr)?
If the deal voids and Free tests the waters, I don't see Dallas retaining his services.
I'm a big fan of Jermey Parnell, it's an amazing story that he's playing OT in the NFL after quitting football before high school to focus on basketball. He played one year as a reserve DL at Ole Miss once his round ball eligibility was used up and then beat the odds as an NFL undrafted free agent.
The tools are there, it's just a question of gaining consistency and learning by actually playing.
If Parnell is given starting practice snaps at RT for an entire off-season, training camp and pre-season, I believe he will make his employer happy.
I don't know if that will be the Cowboys.
I'm also open to drafting the position, but expect one of Free or Parnell to remain, so it won't be an obvious need.
The OT class looks deep, so maybe we can find value here later in the draft.
OG: I think we re-sign Leary and I don't think he goes for a lot. I do believe that our struggles with finding guards was partially due to poor coaching, injuries and bad centers. I think as long as Callahan and Frederick are around, we should be pretty much set at guard and should be able to reasonably find quality starters.
Ronald Leary will be an exclusive rights free agent.
All the team has to do is issue Leary a minimum tender ($0.585K) in order to retain his rights. Leary will be scheduled to a restricted free agent in 2016 so long as he's on the roster at full pay for at least 6 games next season.
I don't expect OL coach Bill Callahan to return, but current assistant Frank Pollack is well thought of and should be tabbed as the replacement.
2015 is Mackenzy Bernadeau's last year under contract, so Dallas needs to be looking for a developmental prospect to take his place.
Rookie Donald Hawkins is listed as an OT, but he might get moved inside to G this off-season.