After the Dallas Cowboys had a few good weeks of OTAs and minicamp, the team should feel good about where the roster is currently though things are never settled. The Cowboys still have their eyes set on adding more pieces to the roster ahead of the preseason. Here are a few free agents the Cowboys could look to add later in the offseason.
Honorable Mention: Jadeveon Clowney
Considering what the edge rushers have shown and where they were last season, the Cowboys should be feeling better about where this group is now. The Cowboys plucked
Rashan Gary off the trade market for a day three draft pick, and his addition fortifies the edge rusher group for the Cowboys. Still, you can never have too many pass rushers. Dallas has high hopes for Malachi Lawrence and Donovan Ezeiruaku to step up with their combination of pass rush moves and athleticism.
However, Dallas should still insulate the roster with more help, and they could run things back with Jadeveon Clowney. Jerry Jones has made comments about wanting to bring back the veteran, and Clowney led the team in sacks last year. By adding Clowney, it eases the pressure on the young guys to deliver right now and lets them develop at a more realistic pace. Clowney has enough in the tank to solidify the pass rusher rotation.
Austin Ekeler
Although the Cowboys have invested a sizable contract into Javonte Williams to be their lead back over the next few seasons, the position behind him doesn’t have significant experience. Ideally, the Cowboys would love for Jaydon Blue to emerge as the complementary running back with his terrific speed. However, it took some time for Blue to get going as a rookie, and some of that could be attributed to his preparation to be ready as a professional. Behind Blue is Phil Mafah, who also had a nice week at OTAs, but was mostly a redshirt last season as a rookie. Malik Davis is also back, but he too could be bypassed for more experience.
Austin Ekeler, who suffered an Achilles tear last season with the Washington Commanders, is healthy and intends to play this season. Ekeler is a very good pass catcher out of the backfield and still a solid runner between the tackles. At this stage, Ekeler has made it clear that he isn’t looking to be a starting running back and is perfectly fine with being part of an ensemble. Dallas could consider some downhill runners similar to Williams. Such names that could fit that bill are Najee Harris, Joe Mixon, and Kareem Hunt. However, Ekeler gives the best of everything for the Cowboys, like his experience, versatility, and his asking price would surely be affordable.
Joe Noteboom
One of the biggest storylines ahead of training camp is head coach Brian Schottenheimer announcing that Tyler Guyton is in a position battle with Nate Thomas. It’s one thing if Dallas had two players they feel really good about to make this decision, but as we’ve seen with Thomas and Guyton, that’s not exactly the case. Barring some blockbuster trade, the Cowboys aren’t in line to add an offensive tackle who would overtake Guyton and Thomas. The next best thing would be to add depth to an uncertain area of the roster.
Joe Noteboom makes a lot of sense. He’s a Texas native who played his amateur career in his home state, first at Plano High School and then for TCU. He is a Super Bowl champion who won a title with the Los Angeles Rams and has started 36 games in the NFL. Last year, Noteboom played sparingly for the Baltimore Ravens and started one game at left tackle. He can play either at guard or tackle if needed. It is a perfect fit if the Cowboys are looking for experienced depth that won’t rock the boat between Thomas and Guyton.
Ethan Pocic
Guard isn’t an overtly pressing need for the Cowboys, but it couldn’t hurt to add more along the interior. After losing Brock Hoffman, the Cowboys parted ways with a player who can play either guard or center. T.J. Bass can occupy that role, but with Matt Hennessy now on injured reserve with a neck injury, the need reemerges for the Cowboys. Dallas has some flexibility in the interior of the offensive line, but a little more insurance couldn’t hurt.
Ethan Pocic gives the Cowboys a great piece to insulate the roster. He is coming off an injury, which does limit his options to resume his place as a starter. He is capable of playing guard or center, and, say it with me, he has plenty of experience. He has started 97 games in the NFL, and if something were to happen to Cooper Beebe or Tyler Smith, Pocic could help mitigate the dropoff in the absence of the starters. Pocic was solid last year with the Cleveland Browns, ranking 20th out of qualified centers.
