Contrary to Popular Belief, the Cowboys will be Active in Free Agency
By Reid Hanson
Expect the Dallas Cowboys to be extremely active in free agency this offseason. Just don’t expect them to break the bank.
A common misconception going around these days is that the Dallas Cowboys will be nothing more than bystanders this free agency period. But with as many as six Cowboys starters set to hit free agency and the Cowboys desire to draft the best players available on draft day, activity in free agency is all but assured.
The Cowboys pride themselves on building their roster through the NFL Draft. Stephen Jones, the Cowboys executive vice president, was asked in January how he planned to improve his defense this offseason, he responded with an emphatic “Draft!”
Such has been the practice of Dallas for years. Nearly every cornerstone player can be traced back as a Dallas draft pick. The times Dallas strayed from that philosophy, they’ve suffered (I give you Brandon Carr and his 5 year/ $50M free agent contract).
turning “needs” into “wants” is the only way the Cowboys (or anyone else) can feasibly stick to BPA draft strategy.
Not surprisingly, the Cowboys have found the most success in the draft when they select the best player available (BPA) rather than letting “need” dictate their actions. Now, every team in the NFL says they have a BPA draft philosophy. But the Cowboys actually take steps to make it happen. They do that by eliminating needs.
Eliminating Needs
A team cannot be desperate at a position(s) and honestly believe they can just draft the best player available. The “needs” will inevitably trump the draft board. Dallas knows this and that’s why they are active in free agency every offseason. They make signings that that turn “needs” into “wants”.
If the Cowboys didn’t address their positions of concern prior to the draft, those “needs” would cause desperation and force them to deviate from the BPA strategy.
Similarly, if Dallas spent ridiculous free agent money on their positions of concern, they would be financially obligated to avoid that position in the draft. That’s why the Cowboys make small responsible signings that plug holes and subsequently turn their “needs” into much healthier “wants”.
With major needs at cornerback, defensive end, and receiver Dallas cannot afford to go into the draft without first addressing those positions in free agency. The signings may not be flashy but there are of great importance nonetheless.
It’s those opportunistic low-level signings that allow Dallas to follow their draft board rather than desperately grasp to satisfy their needs.
Related Story: Reid Hanson's February 7-Round Mock Draft (Cowboys)
Roster Holes
Terrance Williams (starting receiver), Ronald Leary (starting guard), Barry Church (starting safety), Terrell McClain (starting defensive tackle), Brandon Carr (starting cornerback), and Morris Claiborne (starting cornerback) are all possible free agent departures. With so many potential holes to fill, inactively would be an impossibility.
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"“I’ve said it always about free agency, I mean, sometimes you’re required to use it, but you better go in with your eyes wide open that you you’re overpaying,” Stephen Jones said last night in Indianapolis. “Good players like their great. Average players like their good. Below average players like their average. It’s just not a great way to build a football team.”"
It’s important to make a distinction between “building a football team” and “filling holes”.
The Cowboys are going to be active in free agency. They have to be because they have more holes than they have draft picks. This isn’t a new revelation but people seem to be disregarding those small value signings, mistaking them for inactivity.
Stephen likes to minimize it as well, possibly seeing his restraint (and value signings) as a competitive advantage. It’s a lot harder to successfully sign value players than it is to just throw the most money at the biggest names.
Next: 3 Affordable Free Agent Receivers for the Cowboys
So expect Dallas to be active this offseason. Be patient because you can bet the Cowboys will be. But turning “needs” into “wants” is the only way the Cowboys (or anyone else) can feasibly stick to BPA draft strategy.