The Dallas Cowboys free agency period has not started out ideally for Cowboys fans. Many are still reeling from the trade of Amari Cooper and the minimal return the team received as compensation. It did appear that the team was poised to salvage the offseason after signing Michael Gallup and then Randy Gregory after an unexpected restructure for DeMarcus Lawrence. That was before some major drama unfolded and Gregory signed with the Denver Broncos instead. After fumbling the Gregory deal, Cowboys fans hoped that the front office might try to save face and make a splash signing for either Von Miller or Chandler Jones. Instead, the Cowboys did not push the panic button and stayed their hand much to the dismay of those fans. It should come as no surprise to Cowboys fans by now but somehow we quickly forget how this team approaches free agency. We all know that the Cowboys do not wish to become a big player early in the free agency period. They prefer to wait until most teams have spent the big money before they start filling their roster with bargain bin players. Players with injury clauses that they can exploit, early round draft picks that didn’t live up to their potential on their rookie contracts, or washed up veterans who have always dreamed of playing for the Cowboys. Here is a list of potential free agents that might fit into one or more of those categories.
BOBBY WAGNER, LB, SEAHAWKS
Bobby Wagner is the exception to the rule on this list. While he is far from his prime years he is still one of the best interior linebackers in the game. The 31 year old perennial All-Pro still has some gas left in the tank and for that reason his market value may be much too high for the Cowboys. The only reason the Cowboys have a shot may be because of his relationship with Dan Quinn. Wagner would immediately solidify the linebacker position that is experiencing quite a bit of turnover. It would also benefit Micah Parsons and allow him to be used more as a pass rusher rather than an off ball linebacker thus maximizing his skill set. At any rate, this is the only truly exciting free agent signing that the Cowboys have been tied to at this stage of the game so the dream is worth holding onto. Brace yourselves though Cowboys fans. It could be quite possible that any reported mutual interest between Wagner and the Cowboys could simply just be Wagner’s camp driving up his market value so he could sign with another team for more money.
JASON PIERRE-PAUL, DE, BUCCANEERS
Dallas Cowboys fans are all too familiar with Jason Pierre-Paul as he used to terrorize the Cowboys during his time with the New York Giants. That was a long time ago though and Pierre-Paul is now 33 years old and a far cry from the player he once was. Despite his age, he still possesses the rare natural gift of being able to rush the passer and he also has that rare length that Dan Quinn covets in defensive players. JPP has undergone shoulder surgery this offseason and that could lower his market value as well as impact his chances of signing with any team before the NFL draft. If the Cowboys did sign JPP, his shoulder should heal up in time for the start of the 2022 season.
JERRY HUGHES, DE, BILLS
Another premium pass rusher past his prime years that could be a more affordable option for the Cowboys is Jerry Hughes of the Buffalo Bills. Like JPP, Hughes is 33 years old and could be an option for the type of short term commitment the Cowboys are famous for. Hughes is a Texas native which could be a great selling point for the Cowboys. Hughes has also expressed his desire to win a championship. That may or may not work out in the Cowboys favor but if they can convince him he has a legitimate title shot here than he may sign for less money because of it. Hughes days as a double digit sack guy are long gone but he can still generate pressure and more importantly provide leadership to some of the young defensive linemen currently on the roster.
WILL HERNANDEZ, OG, GIANTS
It is widely known that Will Hernandez was a player the Cowboys were very high on leading up to the 2018 NFL draft despite their choice to select LB Leighton Vander Esch with the 19th overall pick. Hernandez was drafted by the Giants early in the 2nd round but he never lived up to expectations in New York. Now Hernandez is set to hit the free agent market and the Cowboys do love their reclamation projects. Dallas could certainly use some extra depth on the interior offensive line after losing Connor Williams in free agency to the Miami Dolphins. Hernandez has a reputation of having a bit of a mean streak. He is considered to be a villain by Cowboys fans because of some extra aggression he often displayed after the whistle against their team. Truthfully, the Cowboys interior offensive line could use a little bit of that kind of attitude as they were simply bullied at times last season.
NICK MARTIN, C, RAIDERS
Nick Martin finds himself on the free agent market once again after and underwhelming stint in Las Vegas. As was previously mentioned, the Cowboys do need to add depth on the interior offensive line. Doing so in free agency would allow the team to draft the best player available in the early rounds instead of having to focus on any one position. Nick Martin could be a very affordable option for the Cowboys and the fact that he is the brother of Zack Martin can’t hurt their chances either. Martin does have experience playing both guard and center which is very valuable in a pinch.
ISAIAH OLIVER, CB, FALCONS
The former second round pick out of Colorado struggled during his time with the Falcons but showed a bit of promise last season before going down with a season ending injury. Now he is hitting the free agent market and probably won’t demand a very high market value. He is a former draft pick of Dan Quinn and he has the requisite arm length and wingspan that fit with Quinn’s vision.
DANTE FOWLER, DE, FALCONS
Another Falcon free agent who had brief experience playing under Dan Quinn is DE Dante Fowler. Fowler recorded 11.5 sacks with the Rams in 2019 but was underwhelming in 2 seasons with Atlanta. The former 3rd overall pick in the 2015 draft has never lived up to his potential but could help fill the void left by Randy Gregory as a low priced situational pass rusher for the Cowboys.
SAMMY WATKINS, WR, RAVENS
The last time the Cowboys parted ways with their number one wide receiver, they made a play for Sammy Watkins before being outbid by the Kansas City Chiefs. The former 4th overall pick in the 2014 draft has largely been a disappointment everywhere he has gone. Injuries have certainly impacted him and it doesn’t help being the first WR drafted in a class that included Mike Evans, Odell Beckham JR, Davante Adams, Allen Robinson, and Jarvis Landry. The 28 year old may not be as fast as he once was after all the injuries but he would be an upgrade over Michael Gallup and CeeDee Lamb in that department. The Cowboys should be able to bring him in for far, far less than the $16 million per year the Chiefs offered him in 2018 to beat out Dallas.
*Photo by Joe Glorioso https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/legalcode