Once again, the Dallas Cowboys have been frustratingly slow to act during free agency. They continued to stay away from the tier-one free agents and haven't even been making the necessary moves to free up cap space.
In the past, we've seen them start this slow only to make a few shrewd moves that wind up working out. Here, we look at six free agents they can sign who will save what has been a disappointing start to the free agency period.
6. Jerome Baker, LB
Dallas needs help at linebacker and DeMarvion Overshown returning to health isn't the answer.
There are reasons to be excited about his potential but he was a third-round pick in 2023 that has yet to play in a regular season game. Throwing him and Damone Clark out there as the only options would be a mistake — and it could lead to another season where their run defense gets exposed.
Dallas missed out on players such as Eric Kendricks, Azeez Al-Shaair, and Jordan Hicks — and Hicks wound up being a bargain for the Cleveland Browns — but there are still starting-caliber players out there. The best is arguably Jerome Baker, who was released by the Miami Dolphins.
Baker spent six seasons in South Beach after his career at Ohio State. He topped 100 tackles three times and has never had fewer than 78. He's decent against the run but excels in coverage, earning a 74.4 grade from PFF last season. He won't fix all their issues on defense but he would be a solid replacement for Leighton Vander Esch.
5. Hunter Renfrow, WR
There was a time when Hunter Renfrow was one of the best slot receivers in the game. A former fifth-round pick out of Clemson, he came out strong as a rookie in 2019 with 605 yards receiving. By 2021, he was a Pro Bowl selection after he put up 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns on 103 receptions.
Entering his fourth season in the league, he and the Las Vegas Raiders agreed to a two-year, $32 million extension, which kept him under contract through the 2024 campaign. But then, Josh McDaniels came into town and did what he does best — ruined everything he touched.
Renfrow became an afterthought under McDaniels and had 36 receptions for 330 yards and two touchdowns in 2022. Then in 2023, the numbers were worse as he had 25 catches for 255 yards and no touchdowns. Despite his lack of usage, Renfrow was never dealt elsewhere despite constantly being in the rumor mill near the past two trade deadlines.
In 2024, Renfrow will finally have a shot at reviving his career. He's going to be released by Las Vegas when the new year begins and will be a free agent. In Dallas, he would be a great fit as the third receiving option along with CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks. He would help take some of the pressure off of them and would give Dak Prescott a sure-handed option on third downs.
4. A.J. Dillon, RB
There were a lot of upset fans on social media when the Cowboys decided not to pay Zack Moss $4 million per season. After that report surfaced, the jump was made to this being a franchise about to rebuild.
Seriously, over Zack Moss.
Don't take this the wrong way because Moss is a solid player but his career-high yardage in a season is 794. And he has an average of 4.3 yards per carry. Again, nothing wrong with any of those numbers but he's far from the missing piece to a Super Bowl puzzle.
Considering this franchise had been overpaying a running back for years — to the detriment of the rest of their roster — you would think the fan base would appreciate a sensical approach to this position. But it would seem their overall inactivity is causing everyone to see red after every miss.
With all of that being said, there are still some decent running backs out there. No, they're not 1,000-yard guys but neither was Moss.
Arguably the best fit is A.J. Dillon, formerly of the Green Bay Packers. Dillon is a 247-pound short-yardage back who has 2,428 yards and 16 touchdowns in four years. When he's been given the ball, he's delivered and even had 803 yards in 2021. Adding him would give the Cowboys a back they would feel comfortable pairing with a Day 2 rookie. And it would help us get over losing out on Zack Moss.
3. Connor Williams, C
This offseason, the Cowboys hoped they would be able to extend Tyler Biadasz but they discovered at the Scouting Combine that wasn't going to happen. While discussing offseason plans, Dallas learned Biadasz had a stronger market than anticipated.
That proved to be the case as Biadasz signed with the Washington Commanders for $29.25 million over three seasons. His exit leaves a hole for Dallas with Brock Hoffman sitting as the top option on the depth chart.
Dallas surely won't head into the season without adding another center and while the draft is an option, it could become difficult to rely on that since they're also losing Tyron Smith. What they can do is add someone with enough versatility to start in multiple spots so they can allow the draft to come to them. This brings us to Connor Williams — yes, that Connor Williams.
Like Biadasz, Williams started his career with Dallas but left in free agency after his rookie contract. A former tackle at Texas, Williams played left guard for the Cowboys and then moved to center for the Miami Dolphins. Adding him could give Dallas their new starting center — but they also could draft one should they have Jackson Powers-Johnson or Zach Frazier as their top player available in Round 1.
Going this route means Williams can return to left guard and Tyler Smith would move to his natural spot as the blindside protector. Again, Williams gives them options which is why a reunion makes sense.
2. Stephon Gilmore, CB
This is the one internal free agent on the list. Stephon Gilmore was added in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts last season and he proved to be a great addition.
Originally, the plan was for him to be CB2 across from Trevon Diggs. That would give them the young stud at CB1 who just landed a massive extension. They also had DaRon Bland who was coming off a surprising rookie campaign.
Unfortunately, the plans changed by Week 3. Diggs suffered an ACL injury in one-on-one drills and was out for the year. This pushed everyone up the depth chart and while Gilmore wasn't the same player we saw in his prime, he more than held his own. Bland also stepped up in a huge way — he led the league in interceptions with nine and set the record for the most pick-sixes in a single season with five.
Gilmore has expressed a desire to remain in Dallas and they should be willing to get a deal done. Diggs is expected to be back by Week 1 but there's no telling if he will be 100 percent right away. Even if he is, this is a pass-happy NFL so every team needs at least three cornerbacks capable of starting. In that sense, losing Gilmore would leave a hole they're not prepared to fill.
1. Arik Armstead, DT
As of now, Arik Armstead isn't a free agent but he's expected to be released by the San Francisco 49ers as soon as free agency officially opens. Armstead has been a fixture on the San Francisco defensive line over the past nine seasons. He's registered 302 tackles and 33.5 sacks while playing multiple positions across the line.
Standing 6-foot-7 and 290 pounds, Armstead boasts an impressive form and has incredibly long arms — which allows him to control opposing offensive linemen. He's played both the interior and on the edge and recorded 10 sacks for the 49ers in 2019.
He turned that into a massive extension, signing a five-year, $85 million deal with $48.5 million of that guaranteed. Heading into the 2024 season, San Francisco wanted him to take a pay cut but he was unwilling to do so, leading to his reported departure.
There will be no shortage of suitors and his price tag could be an issue for the aggravatingly frugal Dallas front office. But if they truly listen to defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, who wants to win at the line of scrimmage, adding a player of Armstead's caliber will help the entire defense.