The Dallas Cowboys were largely inactive in the first wave of NFL free agency, and fans have been understandably frustrated by it. The big roadblock for the Cowboys in NFL free agency right now is obviously their salary cap space situation, where the margins are slim to say the least. The Cowboys have under $5 million in available cap space going into the second week of NFL free agency, but they can make moves to free up space or sign players to low year-one cap hits.
As of this moment, the Dak Prescott contract situation looms large and the Cowboys can't really do anything substantial until his contract is figured out...if that's in the works at all.
If or when that Prescott contract happens, the Cowboys will be swimming in salary cap space. He's taking up almost $60 million in space right now, more than 25 percent of the overall cap. But the Cowboys have lost so many players already this offseason that they can't afford to sit on their hands. Let's look at some available options after the first week of free agency.
1. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB
It might not be the most glamorous of signings, but a former first-round pick like Clyde Edwards-Helaire could be interesting in a committee situation in Dallas. This Cowboys team has now lost Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard in consecutive offseasons, two players who gave this team a rather respectable rushing attack as recently as 2022.
Edwards-Helaire is much more of the pass-catching variety at the position, but he's not as limited to that role as someone like Jerick McKinnon. There might be untapped potential in the running game yet for Edwards-Helaire, who will only be 25 entering his 5th NFL season.
2. Ezekiel Elliott, RB
This may be a flaming hot take, but the Cowboys should bring Ezekiel Elliott back.
Zeke was obviously a first-round pick by the Dallas Cowboys, and it was obviously very painful for Jerry Jones to have to let him go last year. The market for Elliott upon leaving the Cowboys was also incredibly dry, and he ended up essentially being forced to sign with the New England Patriots in order to ensure he was able to preserve his value for 2024 free agency.
Clearly, the market for Zeke still isn't red hot, but that could work in the Cowboys' favor. Dallas is down bad at the running back position. Even if you expect a rookie to come in and seize a large role in 2024, a player like Elliott could still help. He showed with the Patriots that he's not only still capable of making an impact, but a pretty substantial one at that.
Playing on one of the worst offenses in the league, Elliott had 955 yards from scrimmage and five total touchdowns. Those kinds of numbers aren't great compared to what we've become accustomed to from him, but there's no doubt that his experience could help in Dallas' backfield.
3. Connor Williams, C
Connor Williams left the Dallas Cowboys for the Miami Dolphins and became one of the better centers in the NFL. Although he played guard in Dallas before, he could return to replace the recently departed Tyler Biadasz at the center position.
Biadasz bolted in NFL free agency for the rival Washington Commanders on a three-year deal worth over $29 million. The Cowboys may not have the dominant offensive line they once did, but they have still quietly been cranking out quality players, especially on the interior.
Connor Williams is no exception.
The Texas native is still only 26 years old and with his combination of age and positional flexibility, he could really help out a Dallas offensive line that is taking on some massive changes in 2024. Not only did Dallas lose Biadasz to the Commanders, but Tyron Smith just bolted for the New York Jets as well.
Adding a player like Williams who is familiar with the offense and the players around him could be extremely valuable to Dallas.
4. Andre Dillard, OT
The Dallas Cowboys lost Tyron Smith to the New York Jets in NFL Free Agency, somewhat of a stunning move considering how many felt like Smith was just destined to end up back in Dallas somehow.
The Cowboys' familiarity with Smith's medical history as well as the way he played in 2023 seemed to all lead down the path of a reunion in 2024, but it wasn't to be. The Jets poached Smith away, and are clearly planning something in the 2024 NFL Draft for Aaron Rodgers' return.
The Cowboys now find themselves stuck between a rock and a hard place. They need a starting-caliber left tackle for 2024 but they are so deep down the 2024 NFL Draft order that there's no way they could possibly guarantee the player they want is going to be on the board. There could be a run of offensive tackles well before the Cowboys are on the clock. And with how many needs this team has on both sides of the ball right now, trading up to get a tackle may not be in the cards.
The Cowboys need some type of insurance going into the NFL Draft. Maybe they want to kick Tyler Smith out to left tackle (and maybe they will), but it wouldn't be a bad idea to sign someone like former Eagles first-round pick Andre Dillard. Dillard got his first opportunity to start this past year for the Titans, and while the results weren't elite -- by any means -- he could be a decent swing option or alternative if the NFL Draft doesn't go as planned.
5. Hunter Renfrow, WR
It's shocking to me that more teams aren't in on signing former Pro Bowl slot receiver and punt returner Hunter Renfrow.
Renfrow was wrongfully alienated by former Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels in Las Vegas, and is still capable of being a quality option from the slot.
A team like Dallas could at least afford to take the risk. With Michael Gallup gone, the Cowboys now have CeeDee Lamb and the veteran Brandin Cooks leading the way at receiver. Having another option like Hunter Renfrow who can consistently get open from the slot would be a huge advantage for the Dallas offense.
Renfrow is also a very solid option after the catch. He has a great feel for spacing, and he has a knack for moving the chains. He's also been an underrated red zone weapon throughout the course of his career.
I'm guessing we're all going to be shocked at the bargain of a deal he signs when that eventually happens. The Cowboys should be in on it.
6. Trent Brown, OT
If the Cowboys can find a way to clear the salary cap space, a bolder move at offensive tackle could be in the cards.
And make no mistake -- going after Trent Brown would be a bold move.
Not only is Brown likely only going to play at a specific price, but certain conditions need to be met in order for him to truly thrive on an NFL roster. Brown is simply not for everybody. The New England Patriots have been able to make things work with him (to a degree) but injuries and just seemingly a general lack of interest in playing have prevented him from becoming probably one of the 10 best tackles in the game.
When Brown plays, and when he's on, he's a truly dominant player. The Cowboys could try and take a one-year risk on adding him to see if he can work within their team culture, but make no mistake -- there is risk involved. But Dallas might be in position to take that necessary risk this offseason.
If they could add a player like Trent Brown, they would have ultimate flexibility in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
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