3 Players the Cowboys Can’t Bring Back in 2024

2. Dante Fowler, Jr., EDGE

Looking for more help off the edge, the Cowboys signed Dante Fowler, Jr. to a one-year deal in 2022. He was expected to help them replace Randy Gregory, who just signed a multi-year deal with the Denver Broncos. Dallas was initially hit with a lot of criticism for letting Gregory leave but the Broncos have already moved on. He ended up giving them a total of three sacks in 10 games over a year and a half.

Fowler, on the other hand, had six in 2022 alone. He didn't start for the Cowboys but as a rotational player, he appeared in all 17 games and gave them quite the boost. He did so well that he was re-signed to another one-year deal this offseason. He's continued to play well with 10 quarterback pressures and 2.5 sacks but he's not as explosive as he was last year.

While he still has shown enough to be a rotational pass rusher, the Cowboys might be better to move on. Sam Williams has proven over the past two seasons that he not only has a higher ceiling than Fowler but that he might have already surpassed him as a pass rusher.

The 2022 second-round pick has four sacks in each of his first two campaigns. He's seen his snap count increase in 2023 — while Fowler's has dropped — but needs more time on the field. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 261 pounds, Williams runs in the 4.4s and can get into the backfield in a hurry. His explosiveness should be utilized and allowing Fowler to walk in 2024 will help that take place.