On Monday, the Dallas Cowboys kicked off Week 2 of free agency by re-signing Rico Dowdle. It's not the splashy move fans have been begging for but they finally have a running back on the roster who has had some success during the regular season.
The South Carolina product finally got his chance in 2023 and finished with 361 yards rushing and 144 receiving with four total touchdowns. He made the most of each touch and averaged 4.1 yards per carry, making him a more attractive option than Deuce Vaughn at this point.
While this was a smart move, it shouldn't be their last. The Cowboys need to continue to look at outside free agents but there are three more players they could bring back.
3. Johnathan Hankins, DT
After years of begging for a run-stuffing nose tackle, Cowboys nation got its wish in 2022. Ahead of the trade deadline, they sent a sixth-round pick to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for Johnathan Hankins and a seventh-rounder.
Hankins made an instant impact as the opposing team had a much tougher time moving the ball on the ground when he was anchoring the line of scrimmage. In 2023, he was re-signed on a one-year deal and started 14 games. Much like 2023, his numbers were modest — 27 tackles and 3.0 sacks — but his worth goes well beyond that.
Dallas currently has just Mazi Smith on the roster capable of playing the 1-tech and they made him lose 30 pounds last year. Perhaps they allowed him to get back to his normal weight but if not, they have to bring Hankins back. Even if they have allowed this to happen, re-signing Hankins would be a prudent move since Smith is still an unknown commodity.
2. Chuma Edoga, OL
Losing Tyron Smith stings.
The Dallas Cowboys shifted their entire draft philosophy in 2011 when they took an offensive lineman in Round 1 for the first time since Jerry Jones bought the team in 1989. Had Smith failed to live up to expectations, they might have reverted to looking for help later in the draft. That's not how it went down though.
Smith, who was the No. 9 overall pick out of USC, spent the next 13 years as one of the more dominant left tackles in the game. The only issue has been his durability, which is ultimately why he's now with the New York Jets. It's also why his guaranteed salary is just $6.5 million which has sent the Dallas fan base into a fury.
Looking ahead to the 2024 NFL Draft, several offensive linemen could become starters. They could also move Tyler Smith to left tackle and allow T.J. Bass to take over at left guard. They might even decide to re-sign La'el Collins, who they had on the practice squad late last season.
Before doing any of this, however, they need to at least find someone who is a capable player as a fall-back plan. That person could be an outside free agent or maybe even Chuma Edoga.
Signed to be their swing tackle in 2023, Edoga started six games while playing tackle and guard. He wasn't the same caliber as Smith but he wasn't a major liability either. That's why it would be a smart move to bring him back.
1. Stephon Gilmore, CB
When Dallas re-signed Jourdan Lewis, it signaled concern about the status of Stephon Gilmore. The veteran was added in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts and moved into the CB1 role when Trevon Diggs was lost for the season with a torn ACL.
Gilmore, who is now 33 years of age, isn't the same player who was once the 10th overall pick in the NFL Draft. But he played in all 17 games and finished with 68 tackles, 13 pass defenses, two interceptions, and one forced fumble. He was also the one who primarily slowed down the Philadelphia Eagles' aerial attack in their Week 14 win.
Dallas could go into the season with Diggs and Daron Bland — who led the NFL in interceptions in 2023 — and feel perfectly fine. Lewis even proved to be a worthy slot corner still, once he was fully healthy. Having said that, the Cowboys saw how quickly the depth can be depleted — and no one can have too many cornerbacks.
Bringing Gilmore back would solidify their secondary. Given how many holes they have elsewhere, that would be a wise move, so they can use draft assets on more pressing concerns. Gilmore has expressed a desire to return as well, now it's just time to make it happen.