The Dallas Cowboys have been one of the most highly-discussed NFL teams this offseason, but for all of the wrong reasons. The Cowboys are coming off of a 2023 campaign in which they won 12 games for the third straight year, but they were embarrassed by the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs.
It marked the latest postseason disappointment in what has been nearly three decades full of them in Dallas, and fans are growing understandably frustrated. So, you can imagine how Jerry Jones and the front office not doing much of anything in free agency has felt to Cowboys faithful.
Now, in Dallas' defense, there has been some pretty serious financial constraints. The Cowboys were very tight against the cap heading into free agency, and also have to worry about extending their own top players like Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons (although the Dallas is moving at a snail's pace in that regard, too).
The problem is that the team's lack of spending has left them with some pretty serious holes heading into 2024. With the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles improving this offseason and other NFC teams on the come up, the Cowboys may be in some trouble.
Dallas also failed to pick up a running back in the 2024 NFL Draft, leaving it with the recently-acquired Ezekiel Elliott, Deuce Vaughn and Rico Dowdle in its backfield. That isn't exactly an enviable situation, as Elliott has been past his prime for about five years now.
Luckily, there are still some affordable pieces the Cowboys can pick up on the free-agent market. Here are a few who can really help Dallas next season.
Michael Thomas – wide receiver
While Lamb is one of the best pass-catchers in football, the Cowboys are definitely in need of some assistance at wide receiver behind him. Dallas simply doesn't have a whole lot of depth. Brandin Cooks was a fairly significant disappointment in 2023, and the Cowboys just cut Michael Gallup after it became clear that he was not going to be able to get over his injury issues.
Enter Michael Thomas, who was, at one time, a massive star for the New Orleans Saints. Thomas made three straight Pro Bowls and earned a pair of First-Team All-Pro selections between 2017 and 2019, leading the NFL in receptions in back-to-back seasons and also pacing the league with 1,725 yards in the latter campaign.
Of course, Dallas would not be getting the First-Team All-Pro version of Thomas. Since then, it has been a tough road for Thomas.
An ankle injury abbreviated his 2020 season to seven games, and he proceeded to miss the entire 2021 campaign and just about all of 2022 as a result. This past season, Thomas was limited to 10 contests due to a knee issue. But when he was on the field, he was decently productive, catching 39 passes for 448 yards and a touchdown.
Thomas hasn't played a full season since 2019. He clearly isn't the same player anymore, and it stands to reason that he could miss time again in 2024 based on his history. But, he's cheap, he's experienced and could represent a nice low-risk, high-reward pickup for a Cowboys squad that is in serious need of more weapons for Prescott.
Yannick Ngakoue – edge rusher
Dallas lost Dorance Armstrong Jr. to free agency, which was a pretty underrated loss for the club. After all, Armstrong posted 7.5 sacks in 2023, and he accumulated 21 sacks overall over the last three years combined.
The Cowboys couldn't afford to keep him, nor did they have the financial wherewithal to find a replacement on the free-agent market. They did select Western Michigan pass rusher Marshawn Kneeland in the second round of the NFL Draft, but the pick is largely based on his potential. He amassed a grand total of 12.5 sacks in four collegiate seasons.
So, what about Yannick Ngakoue?
Ngakoue is oddly still available, which means that he is probably either asking for a bit too much money or he is waiting for the perfect situation to open up for him. Assuming it's the latter, Dallas should jump in and give him a shot.
Ngakoue is coming off of a 2023 campaign in which he played 13 games for the Chicago Bears, logging 22 tackles and four sacks in what was the least productive season of his career. But he is still just 29 years old and should have plenty left in the tank.
On the plus side, the University of Maryland product racked up 19.5 sacks between 2021 and 2022. He also has been very durable throughout his NFL career, with 2023 representing the most games he has missed in any one season.
Ngakoue's best year came back in 2017 with the Jacksonville Jaguars, when he rattled off 30 tackles, 12.5 sacks and six forced fumbles en route to a Pro Bowl appearance. Obviously, that was a long time ago, but the former third-round pick had registered no less than eight sacks in any season prior to 2023.
Let's just call last season an anomaly then?
The Cowboys aren't really starving for sacks with Parsons on the roster, but losing Armstrong hurts. Unless Kneeland can step in and replace his production right off the bat, it would really behoove Dallas to add someone like Ngakoue.
Stephon Gilmore – cornerback
Why not just bring back a guy who was really good for the Cowboys last season?
Stephon Gilmore remains a free agent after spending just one year with Dallas, and it seems a bit weird that he is still available considering how productive he was in 2023. He played every game, registering 68 tackles, a couple of interceptions, a forced fumble and 13 passes defended.
Is Gilmore the same elite cornerback from his New England Patriots days? No, but the Cowboys don't need him to be.
Keep in mind, Dallas will be getting Trevon Diggs back from a torn ACL in 2024, and with DaRon Bland on the other side, the Cowboys could use Gilmore as a third corner, which is really what they intended to do with him last year.
Gilmore would probably sign a one-year deal, and it's hard to imagine that he would be expensive. He also seemed to thoroughly enjoy his time in Dallas, so you would think he would certainly like to return for another season.
But why is Gilmore still out there?
It could be the sort of thing discussed with Ngakoue earlier. Maybe he is just looking for the best fit. He probably wants to join a contender while also desiring considerable playing time in the process, so Gilmore is probably just biding his time.
The 33-year-old should consider a return to what's familiar. It would benefit both him and the Cowboys.
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