We seem to be accumulating talent, so who do we lose next year?

[Brooksey]

We seem to be accumulating enough talent that we could make a serious run next year .... so who do we lose after this year in free agency, or hit the road due to salary cap issues?

Murray would be a big loss, but could potentially be replaced with a premium pick. Free could become expendable if we draft a right tackle, but we don't get three first round picks. so we can't draft a right tackle, a pass rusher and Murray's replacement all in the first and second rounds. I wish we had extended Murray to a cap friendly deal prior to this season. I think he is going to have a big year and we will have to let him walk or overpay.

Murray will be re-signed because he's not going to get more than 4-5 million a year anywhere. The going rate for RB's is low right now. If we do lose him, good backs can be found in the 4th/5th plus we still have Randle and R.Williams.

We should be able to draft trenches early again, RT and D-Line.

Hopefully we don't need a QB in the first.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

On offense, locks for next year outside of injury that are currently under contract for at least another year:

QB - Romo, Weeden
RB - Randle
WR - Williams, Street
TE - Novacek, Hanna, Escobar
OT - Smith
OG - Bernadeau, Martin
C - Frederick
LS - Ladouceur
K - Bailey

DE - Lawrence, Mincey, Gardner, Coleman
DT - Melton, T. McClain, Crawford, Bishop, Okoye
LB - Hitchens, Wilber, Lee
CB - Carr, Claiborne, Scandrick, Patmon
S - Church, Wilcox, Hamilton, Heath

That is 34 players and I assume pretty much all of them will be back if Dallas wants them...Melton likely has to have a redo on the contract. Carr is a big question mark with contract.

ERFA:
LB - C. Lawrence - likely tender

That makes 35

RFA:
T - Weems - likely tender
G - Leary - likely tender
WR - Little - who
DE - J. Crawford - no
WR - Beasley - likely tender
RB - Dunbar - likely tender

So that is 39 almost likely to return.

Others to consider from PS

RB - R. Williams
C - Patrick
DT - Sam
S - K. Smith
T - Wetzel

From IR:
DT - Whaley

That is 45 right there. So now to the free agents:

UFA:
LB: McClain - yes
DE - Spencer - unlikely
DE - Selvie - maybe
CB - Moore - maybe
T - Parnell - He or Free will be back, whoever takes cheaper deal
RB - Murray - maybe
P - Jones - yes
DT - Hayden - no
WR - Harris - yes
T - Free - See Parnell
LB - Carter - maybe
LB - Durant - yes but cheap
FB - Clutts - no
WR - Bryant - yes
DT - Brent - yes but cheap

I think a couple spots will involve an either/or type of situation....like tackle with Free and Parnell...whoever signs first and cheapest will stay. Spencer or Selvie. Hopefully Harris doesn't get priced out. Bryant is a gimme. I think we get hometown discounts on R. McClain, Josh Brent and maybe Durant to stay here.

I think we lose Carter for sure and most likely Murray. I think a strong OL will be able to handle the step down from Murray to Randle or R. Williams.

Still some awfully tough choices ahead.

 

[xwalker]

We seem to be accumulating enough talent that we could make a serious run next year .... so who do we lose after this year in free agency, or hit the road due to salary cap issues?

Murray would be a big loss, but could potentially be replaced with a premium pick. Free could become expendable if we draft a right tackle, but we don't get three first round picks. so we can't draft a right tackle, a pass rusher and Murray's replacement all in the first and second rounds. I wish we had extended Murray to a cap friendly deal prior to this season. I think he is going to have a big year and we will have to let him walk or overpay.

They can keep anybody if they really want to do it.

Free Agents:
Murray - 2nd contracts for RBs are dangerous, but the price for those contracts appear to be falling.
Free - They could use the 3.5M that he is making this year on another player if needed; otherwise, Martin, Parnell or Weems.
Carter - Maybe for the right price. You can get 4-3 LBs in free agency if you want to pay them.
Rolando McClain - Tricky situation in terms of a contract.
Dez - Jerry won't let him get away. He's too big of a marketing draw.

Other:
Carr - His base salary for 2015 is reasonable for a starting CB. Much of the money in his big contract has already been paid out.
Romo - Stays unless he absolutely can't play anymore.

 

[ConstantReboot]

I like Murray and I would love to keep him here. If we can give him a contract thats reasonable and laden with incentives - which being healthy is one of them, then I'd like to see him signed.

I don't care what people say about him. His and elite back. He sees the field well and gains those 2-3 extra yardages when he gets hit. If we have someone better in the wings then we can possibly let him go easily. But right now, his our best weapon. With Romo ailing were going to depend on him more and more. this season.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Until we know for sure what the salary cap situation will be it's hard to say. I believe it's going up quite a bit and players like Romo could restructure. There might be more room than some think.

 

[DiResta]

I think Carr is probably gone either way.

maybe he will take a cut. Free did. its not like its impossible though t he odds are against it.
he should be making similar to Scandrick

 

[Pessimist_cowboy]

If we don't make the playoffs this year . I won't be shocked if witten is released . I love the guy but you don't spend a 2nd round pick on a guy just to be a back up forever .He also has trouble getting open past 10 yards.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

I think Dez is signed long term, Free is let go and Murray is franchised. We could draft a guard in the 2nd or 3rd (like they would have done this year with Trai Turner) and move Martin to RT.

Biggest salary cap question for next year I think, will be Carr.

I agree with everything you said, but I sure hope we keep Martin at RG.

 

[DiResta]

players like Romo could restructure. .

I think that hurts the teams future and shouldnt be the norm. especially when Romo is with a back injury and uncertain future.

 

[Hoofbite]

I think Carr is probably gone either way.

I dunno. Pretty much the same to keep or cut. Could push the money with June 1st move but still significant to cut.

 

[Aven8]

For some reasoning have this suspicion that Bill B is going to go after Murray in FA. The dude would be a beast with Brady.

 

[Denim Chicken]

Where have I been?

I didn't know the season ended already.

last season (and this is with Murray missing 2 games)

Murray 1121 / 5.2ypc (best in NFL) / 9TD
Johnson 1077 / 3.9ypc / 6TD

 

[CCBoy]

Until we know for sure what the salary cap situation will be it's hard to say. I believe it's going up quite a bit and players like Romo could restructure. There might be more room than some think.

ESPN is saying $7 million up for 2015 and another $10 million for 2016. That is plenty of room to adjust and even acquire a directed veteran or two.

 

[Doc50]

If we don't make the playoffs this year . I won't be shocked if witten is released . I love the guy but you don't spend a 2nd round pick on a guy just to be a back up forever .He also has trouble getting open past 10 yards.

That would really hurt the ground game.

 

[lostar2009]

We lose Murray unless by some miracle he accepts a low ball offer.

I would not sign Murray for anything over 30M. He is good but he knows the oline blocking is helping him out. Free can be extended for like 2 years same price or cheaper and Carter deal most likely will not be block buster. If we choose to keep McClain, his deal might be up there along with Dez. But I hope JJ put language in there in regards to retirement.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

last season (and this is with Murray missing 2 games)

Murray 1121 / 5.2ypc (best in NFL) / 9TD
Johnson 1077 / 3.9ypc / 6TD

That's right... Johnson had Locker at QB and what's his name at WR?

 

[maxdallasfan]

Perhaps a young TE who can out run LB's and patrol the middle of the field would be nice.

 

[TwentyOne]

Jerry out of the question here?

LOL. I was just going to post exactly the same thing (incl. his son of corse).

 

[coult44]

We seem to be accumulating enough talent that we could make a serious run next year .... so who do we lose after this year in free agency, or hit the road due to salary cap issues?

Murray would be a big loss, but could potentially be replaced with a premium pick. Free could become expendable if we draft a right tackle, but we don't get three first round picks. so we can't draft a right tackle, a pass rusher and Murray's replacement all in the first and second rounds. I wish we had extended Murray to a cap friendly deal prior to this season. I think he is going to have a big year and we will have to let him walk or overpay.

After a 1-1 start we are posed to make a serious run next year? I don't get it. How about we beat the Rams.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

That's right... Johnson had Locker at QB and what's his name at WR?

Gotta disagree here....CJ is clearly descending while Murray is ascending. Johnson's deal isn't a reasonable comparison.