NFL enthusiasts are glowing with anticipation as this year's free agency period opens on March 13. The Dallas Cowboys are in for a busy offseason with 13 players set to become free agents as the franchise sits $4 million over the salary cap, per Spotrac.
In other words, the Cowboys can't afford to re-sign all of their free agents, regardless of how badly they'd like to. Some tough decisions must be made in the coming weeks, meaning there's a good chance that Dallas fans have already seen certain players' last game representing America's Team.
With that in mind, here are four Cowboys free agents who will most likely walk this offseason.
1. OT Tyron Smith
Tyron Smith has been one of the NFL's best offensive tackles ever since he was drafted ninth overall back in 2011. He consistently offers elite protection whenever he's healthy, proven by his earning All-Pro second-team honors after earning the highest Pro Football Focus pass-blocking grade (89.3) among 81 OTs in 2023.
But as much as Cowboys fans would love to see Smith return, it doesn't look like a reunion is in the cards. NFL insider Ian Rapoport recently reported that the 33-year-old veteran blocker is "unlikely" to return to Dallas for a 14th season after it looked like the two sides were making progress.
All good things must come to an end, but that doesn't mean losing Smith will hurt any less. The Cowboys' offensive line will take a huge step back without him and while finding a potential replacement in the 2024 NFL Draft is a possibility, you can't expect a rookie to perform at the same level as the ex-USC Trojan, who's been named to eight Pro Bowls and five All-Pro teams.
Smith has provided Cowboys fans with great memories over the last 13 years and now it's likely time to say goodbye. Hopefully, he will find success wherever his career takes him next.
2. RB Rico Dowdle
Although Rico Dowdle first joined the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2021, the former South Carolina rusher didn't see that big of a role until last season. After all, hip and ankle injuries sidelined him for the majority of the 2021 and 2022 campaigns.
Nevertheless, Dowdle made the most of his opportunities in 2023. Playing as the No. 2 running back behind Tony Pollard, the 25-year-old turned 89 carries into 361 yards and a pair of rushing touchdowns while also converting 17 receptions into another 144 yards and two more scores across 16 games without a start.
Spotrac projects Dowdle to earn $2 million annually on his next contract. While that isn't a ton of money, it's a lot in this instance given the Cowboys' uninspiring cap situation. Additionally, Dallas Morning News' Michael Gehlken reports that Dallas is likely to re-sign fellow UFA RB Tony Pollard before drafting a "cheap, fresh-leg back to complement him" in April.
With the Cowboys already having Malik Davis, Deuce Vaughn, and Snoop Conner under contract through the 2025 season, there isn't much incentive to bring Dowdle back. He's a decent rusher, but there isn't anything about his game that makes him irreplaceable.
3. C Tyler Biadasz
Don't look now, but Tyron Smith isn't the only member of Dallas' offensive line likely heading elsewhere this spring.
On March 4, Gehlken also reported that center Tyler Biadasz is also likely hitting the open market. Although a good chunk of the fanbase would love to see the former 2020 fourth-rounder return, the Cowboys allegedly "do not consider themselves positioned to be financially competitive for Biadasz’s services."
For reference, the ex-Wisconsin Badger could earn up to $4.9 million in free agency, per OverTheCap.
As much as the Cowboys would love for Biadasz to return, the franchise can't afford to get into a bidding war due to their cap situation and other free agents they must re-sign. The 26-year-old blocker was PFF's No. 14-graded center in 2023, so it isn't difficult to imagine that a team-friendly deal to remain in Big D likely isn't on his mind with a potentially big payday looming.
Hopefully, the Cowboys will be successful in their bid to find replacements for Biadasz (and Smith). Otherwise, the offense could be in a lot of trouble next season.
4. CB Stephon Gilmore
With defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer's arrival, the Cowboys' defense could experience a bit of a shakeup. That's why it isn't guaranteed that Stephon Gilmore won't return next season.
Acquired in a trade last March, the veteran cornerback was solid in a season where Dallas lost fellow CB Trevon Diggs to an ACL tear just two games into the season. Although he wasn't nearly as dominant as DaRon Bland, Gilmore finished the 2023 campaign as PFF's No. 35-graded corner after allowing 53 completions on 95 targets (55.8%) for 659 yards, four TDs, and an 82.7 passer rating.
But just because he had a solid year doesn't mean he's on the road to returning. For starters, Gilmore underwent surgery to repair his shoulder this offseason. Although he'll likely recover in time for the start of the 2024 campaign, he's turning 34 in September, which lowers the chances of him potentially returning to form.
On the topic of his age, Gilmore has also expressed the desire to return to the New England Patriots before he retires. His best years came when he played for the Patriots from 2017 to 2020 and there were also reports that New England attempted to acquire him last year before the Cowboys pulled off the trade with the Indianapolis Colts. If he doesn't think he has much juice left in the tank, Gilmore could return to Foxboro as soon as this offseason.
With the Cowboys knowing how to squeeze production out of their CBs, don't be surprised if they replace Gilmore with a younger, cheaper option this offseason.
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