This week, the Cowboys have been going through OTA's. While the front office and coaching staff seem to have a good idea of who will be on the roster going into training camp, numerous free agents that could make immediate changes to the Cowboys' roster and depth chart remain on the market.
While the Cowboys have made it frustratingly clear this off-season that they are not interested in spending their limited cap space on free agents, they may be more willing to sign them as the season grows closer. The holes in the Cowboys' depth chart continue to become more apparent. Several free agents remain on the market that could help fill the gaps and make an instantaneous impact on the field.
Below, we will list three players still on the market who could be good fits for the Cowboys this upcoming season.
1. Hunter Renfrow
Earlier this off-season, it was announced that Cowboys receiver Michael Gallup would not be returning to Dallas after signing a one-year contract with the Los Vegas Raiders. Losing Gallup means that the Cowboys will need to find a new third receiver, and Hunter Renfrow could be the perfect solution
Renfrow once was thought to be one of the most promising receivers in the league but has had a tough go of it the past two seasons with the Raiders. He has only picked up 585 receiving yards in the past two seasons while also struggling to remain healthy. Although Renfrow has struggled to remain a productive receiver, the former pro-bowler is only 28 years old and could possibly reestablish himself with the Cowboys and fill the current hole in the Cowboys receiver room created by Gallups's departure.
Overall, Renfrow could be a somewhat low-cost, low-risk option for the Cowboys and potentially have a career resurgence with the Cowboys this upcoming season.
2. Xavien Howard
As the season continues to grow closer it still remains somewhat of a mystery who will be playing cornerback alongside DaRon Bland for the Cowboys this fall. It is still yet to be revealed when Trevon Diggs will be returning from injury, and it has become clear that Stephen Gimore will not be returning to Dallas for the upcoming season. Due to the ambiguous status of the cornerback position, Xavien Howard could be the perfect option to place in the Cowboys backfield.
The four-time Pro Bowler is known to be one of the best lockdown cornerbacks in the game. He has had three seasons where he was amongst the league leaders for interceptions. He still seems to be at the top of his game, putting up solid numbers throughout the last season and being near the top in several defensive categories, including solo and combined tackles. Howard could be a massive boost to the Cowboys' backfield and give the defense a veteran presence that they need after deciding not to re-sign Gilmore this off-season.
Unfortunately, it is most likely somewhat of a stretch for the Cowboys to sign Howard due to his high price tag and the limited cap space they currently have. If the Cowboys can find a way to sign him, however, they can quickly become one of the most intimidating secondaries in the league, with Diggs and Howard roaming the same backfield.
3. Michael Thomas
For the past week or so, it has been rumored that former Offensive Player of the Year Michael Thomas could possibly sign with the Cowboys this off-season. Thomas could be a great fit for the Cowboys and help rejuvenate the somewhat dismantled offense after losing both Gallup and Tony Pollard this off-season.
Although it has become painfully apparent that Thomas's best days of his career are behind, he was at one time one of the greatest, most explosive receivers in the league during his prime, as he was able to gain over 1,000 receiving yards in the first four consecutive seasons of his career while being one of the most dominant receivers in league history.
Although he is past his prime, he could still serve as a solid third option for the Cowboys receiving core if he can remain healthy.
However, staying healthy appears to remain a perpetual issue for Thomas. He has only played in 20 games over the past four seasons and has not been able to stay healthy for a whole season since 2019. When healthy, however,Thomas appears to be still a reliable receiver, gaining over 448 yards last season off of only 39 receptions.
Overall, Thomas could be a great low-risk option for the Cowboys this off-season. If he can remain healthy for more than a portion of the season, he could be another solid receiver for Dak to trust, which seems to be something that the team is currently lacking.
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