6 Free Agents the Cowboys Should Sign Before Mandatory Minicamp 

3. Zach Cunningham, LB

It wasn't until after the start of training camp when Zach Cunningham found a home in 2023 but he was able to make the most of it. Signed by the Philadelphia Eagles at the same time as Myles Jack — who temporarily retired from October through November — Cunningham not only earned a spot on the roster but started 10 games while playing in 13.

The seventh-year veteran didn't make too many splash plays but still ended with a respectable 85 tackles with four pass defenses and a fumble recovery. Cunningham finished with a grade of 69.4 from PFF, with a healthy 70.7 in run defense.

Dallas had issues in that department last year, which is understandable when considering they moved Markquese Bell from safety to linebacker. Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love even said his team attacked the defense on the ground knowing the Cowboys didn't have the size to hold up.

Now in 2024, they're hopeful Eric Kendricks, rookie Marist Liafau, and DeMarvion Overshown (who missed his rookie season due to an injury) will be enough to fix things. That could wind up being the case but it wouldn't be a bad idea to add more experience.

Cunningham offers that. Originally a second-round pick in 2017, he spent four full seasons with the Houston Texans and was released after 10 games in 2021 due to issues with former head coach David Culley. The linebacker had 503 tackles and 6.5 sacks in those 72 games and then gave the Tennessee Titans 50 tackles in 10 games.