The list of Dallas Cowboys free agents signed in 2019 includes WR Randall Cobb, DT Christian Covington, DE Kerry Hyder, and SS George Iloka. If you add in the acquisition of DE Robert Quinn, the 2019 offseason has been more active than in previous years for the Cowboys. While that may be the case, it does not necessarily mean that the Dallas Cowboys are done in free agency. There are still some holes to fill on the roster, some uncertainty at certain positions, and the ever present possibility of a substantial injury in training camp. All of those things can be major factors towards roster management before the 2019 season begins. Here are 5 players that would make a lot of sense if they were to be signed as Dallas Cowboys free agents.
ERIC BERRY, SAFETY
The biggest name out there is former Chiefs All-Pro safety Eric Berry. Berry would ideally slot in at strong safety next to Xavier Woods to give the Dallas Cowboys a dynamic duo at a position that they have lacked elite talent for many years now. The reason Eric Berry remains unsigned to date is concerns over his health. He is coming off of a significant injury for the second straight season and has played only 3 regular season games the last two years. Another factor could be the cost as despite his injury history, his ability to be a game changer make him a desirable commodity for any team wanting to make a championship run. It would be great to add a player of Berry’s pedigree to the team but unless the Cowboys get desperate and suffer multiple injuries at safety, I do not believe they will invest in the aging star.
TRE BOSTON, SAFETY
Another popular option for Cowboys fans at safety is Tre Boston. Boston can play strong safety but has had more success at free safety. If Dallas were to sign Boston perhaps they would consider moving Xavier Woods over to strong safety or maybe even have him play in the slot where he was effective his rookie year. I happen to be a fan of Tre Boston but I do hesitate to think that Dallas will actually bring him on board. The reason being that the Cowboys could have signed him last year but they did not. Originally, I thought that it may have been because they were holding out to make a run at Earl Thomas as a free agent but that ship has sailed and yet Tre Boston still remains a free agent. It could be telling that two years in a row now Boston has not garnered much interest among NFL teams. That leads me to believe there is something I am missing and that maybe Tre Boston is not as great a fit as I imagine he could be. Again, that could all change for the Cowboys with a couple of injuries in training camp or at the start of the season.
JAY AJAYI, RUNNING BACK
The Dallas Cowboys drafted Tony Pollard and Mike Weber to solidify their depth behind Ezekiel Elliott. Pollard is more of a change of pace back while Weber is more suited to a back up role. Behind those guys there is not really any other reliable option for the Cowboys and if Zeke goes down or gets suspended, the cupboard is pretty bare for the Cowboys. To compound that, Mike Weber was banged up in OTA’s so a free agent running back really does make a lot of sense for the Dallas Cowboys. Former Eagle Jay Ajayi is a player that could function as a lead back to fill in for Elliott if required. Ajayi does has some injury history and is returning from a torn ACL suffered last season. Despite that he has far greater upside than most free agent running backs and the Dallas Cowboys do love their Boise State players.
BILAL POWELL, RUNNING BACK
Another running back coming off of a season ending injury is Bilal Powell of the New York Jets. Powell is 30 years old, which is ancient for a running back, but he does not have a lot of wear and tear given that he has been a backup his entire career. Powell is effective as both a runner and receiver and has shown flashes of explosive game-breaking ability with the Jets. He was a free agent until just recently when he was actually re-signed by the Jets but it will be a challenge for him to make the team with Le’Veon Bell, Ty Montgomery, and Elijah McGuire on the roster. It is entirely possible that Powell could once again become available before the start of the season if the Cowboys find themselves in need of another back.
MATT BRYANT, KICKER
Former Falcon kicker Matt Bryant is 44 years old but age is merely a number for a kicker. The Cowboys still have Brett Maher on the roster but he was inconsistent last season missing multiple extra points and makeable field goals. Even if the Dallas Cowboys decide to stick with Maher, some friendly competition can’t hurt. As for Bryant, he is a reliable kicker who is one of the most accurate in NFL history.
Those 5 players would make a ton of sense if they were signed as Dallas Cowboys free agents before the season starts. Not included on this list were the names of any quarterbacks. Keep an eye on that position though. Cooper Rush and Mike White have not been impressive and the Cowboys could look to add a veteran back up. Pickings may be slim now but when teams start to make roster cuts, players like Trevor Siemian, Ryan Tannehill, Tyrod Taylor and Colt McCoy could become options for the Dallas Cowboys.
*Photo by Kieth Allison https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/legalcode
All data and statistics obtained and verified through https://www.pro-football-reference.com/