Instant Analysis: Which Cowboys free agents should be brought back in 2025?

RG Zack Martin

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 30: Zack Martin #70 of the Dallas Cowboys leaves the field after a win against the Chicago Bears at AT&T Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)

The future first-ballot Hall of Famer will have $27M of dead money spread across 2025 ($10M) and 2026 ($17M) if he isn’t extended beyond this next campaign.

Bring Back? If he doesn’t retire, let that man find a team that wants to win.

DE DeMarcus Lawrence

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 08: DeMarcus Lawrence #90 of the Dallas Cowboys warms up prior to a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

The 32-year old, 10-year vet will have $7.5 million in dead cap hit in 2025 unless he returns to the team. He’s indicated he isn’t ready to retire and wants to play again.

Bring Back? How is he not in Washington the first week of March? The Cowboys have prepared to replace him for several years, with Sam Williams and Marshawn Kneeland picks on Day 2 of their respective drafts. If Lawrence wants to return cheap, yes. Anything over $7 million a year, let him go.

WR Brandin Cooks

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 23: Brandin Cooks #3 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates after a touchdown in the game against the Washington Commanders during the second quarter at AT&T Stadium on November 23, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Cooks’ will count against the 2025 cap as well, $4 million, due to his void year that was used to stash cap hit.

Bring Back? Naw.

RB RIco Dowdle

Dec 24, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle (23) rushes with the ball during the first half against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Bring Back? Yes. Dowdle has proven his UDFA Day-1 supporters (read: this writer) correct down the stretch of the season, cracking the 1,000-yard milestone despite a RBBC approach most of the year.

WR Kavontae Turpin (RFA)

Oct 29, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver KaVontae Turpin (9) reacts after returning a punt for a touchdown that was called back because of a penally in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Bring Back? Yes he absolutely should get a 2nd round qualifying offer. But get him a coordinator who isn’t afraid to use him on offense or the $5 million cost isn’t worth it. Three-year deal with $10.5 million guaranteed seems to make a ton of sense.

DT Osa Odighizuwa

Jul 31, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa (97) during training camp at the Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge playing fields. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports

He’s still yet to break out statistically, totaling a career-high 4.5 sacks in 2024, but he’s always among the leaders in interior DL pressures.

Bring Back? This might be the toughest one. Agent OO97 is continuously near the top of the interior list, but with so much edge talent, to never convert that into sacks feels like his pressure numbers are the result of their work, but the cause of their benefit. I’d let him walk.

QB Trey Lance

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 30: Quarterback Trey Lance #15 of the Dallas Cowboys warms up prior to the game against the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

So much to walk and talk about with Lance and the fact he isn’t playing despite Prescott being on the shelf for the last two weeks.

Bring Back? For $3 million or less.

QB Cooper Rush

Aug 19, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush (10) passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Bring Back? We’re just going to drop this off here.

Punter Bryan Anger

Nov 19, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Dallas Cowboys punter Bryan Anger (5) during pregame warm ups against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Bring Back? No. Too expensive. They should go for it every fourth down anyway.

CB Jourdan Lewis

Nov 4, 2019; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (27) runs back a fumble for a touchdown against the New York Giants during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Lewis returned on a one-year deal to continue his career in Dallas. Will he return with a fourth Cowboys’ contract? Lewis is one of those players who has excelled under every staff. He should be one of those, “I can’t believe he got to be with Dallas for life” guys.

Bring Back? Yes.

LB Eric Kendricks

Oct 29, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Eric Kendricks (6) enters the field before the game against the Chicago Bears at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

If Kendricks has an interest in continuing to play, I like him as a backup and continued mentor for the linebacker corps, even without Mike Zimmer as the DC. The loss of DeMarvion Overshown for most of 2025 makes this a no-brainer.

Bring Back? Yes.

ST CJ Goodwin

LANDOVER, MARYLAND – JANUARY 08: C.J. Goodwin #29 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on during the game against the Washington Commanders at FedExField on January 08, 2023 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Bring Back? No.

LS Trent Sieg

Jul 27, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys long snapper Trent Sieg (43) during training camp at Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge Playing Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Bring Back? Yes.

OT Chuma Edoga

Jul 27, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys tackle Chuma Odoga (71) during training camp at Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge Playing Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Bring Back? No.

DT Chauncey Golston

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – NOVEMBER 20: Chauncey Golston #99 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on against the Minnesota Vikings during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)

Probably the lone “surprise” guy on the defense, Golston has emerged from bust to serviceable and should be available as a depth guy on the cheap.

Bring Back? Yes.

OT Josh Ball

Jul 27, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys tackle Josh Ball (75) during training camp at Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge Playing Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Bring Back? No.

DB Isreal Mukuamu

Aug 12, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys safety Israel Mukuamu (24) walks off the field after the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Bring Back? Yes as back-end depth.

Safety Markquese Bell (RFA)

Wednesday: Limited |

Bring Back? Yes as a right-of-refusal qualifying offer.

Safety Juanyeh Thomas (RFA)

Aug 24, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Darius Harris (46) reacts after making a tackle against the Los Angeles Chargers in the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Bring Back? Yes as a camp invite.