There are still some free agents who the Cowboys could consider.
The NFL draft is just over a month away, but the job is not finished for the Dallas Cowboys. The roster still needs more. It’s commendable that Dallas has been more active than usual during the early stages of free agency, albeit not for anyone at the top of the free market. Oh well, can’t have it all.
The good thing is that Dallas addressed their running back position with two unspectacular but adequate signings, Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams. The former, Sanders, hinted at perhaps a new identity for the Cowboys offense, focusing on running the football. It’s a good start for now, but the Cowboys must further supplement the roster to head into the draft with open options. Free agency does have a few players Dallas could sign to fortify their roster ahead of the draft.
Shaq Mason
One thing primarily lacking from the Cowboys’ offensive line is experience. Terence Steele, an undrafted rookie in 2020, is the most experienced projected starter along the offensive line. Zack Martin’s retirement leaves a lot of experience lacking from the unit, and depth is also a concern.
Shaq Mason is a two-time Super Bowl champion who was released by cross-state rival Houston earlier this offseason. Over his ten-year career, Mason has started 147 games. However, Mason isn’t what he used to be and has slightly declined in his performance in the last few seasons. What Mason could be is f an insurance policy for the Cowboys. He could compete for a starting job with incumbent Brock Hoffman, but he also shouldn’t be so expensive that Dallas can’t add another interior with a Day 2 pick if they choose.
Amari Cooper
Earlier this offseason, there was speculation that Dallas could be interested in former wide receiver Michael Gallup, who came out of retirement and then signed with the Washington Commanders. How about reuniting with another former receiver? Amari Cooper coming back to Dallas would make sense. While Cooper is coming off the worst season of his career, we know his abilities fit well with quarterback Dak Prescott. Cooper went to the Pro Bowl twice with Prescott.
If he returns to Dallas, he wouldn’t be counted on as a top option, and would be working in support of CeeDee Lamb as Lamb did for Cooper in his first two seasons in the NFL. Cooper has the ability to play in different spots as a wide receiver and would give the offense more unpredictability with their formations. Cooper still has enough gas in the tank to stretch the field. His market has been ice cold as of late. Therefore, it shouldn’t cost much to bring him back to Dallas.
Teddy Bridgewater
With the departure of Cooper Rush to the Baltimore Ravens, the Cowboys need to sign a backup quarterback. Jameis Winston is off the market as he signed with the New York Giants. However, another former first-round quarterback is available. Dallas landing Teddy Bridgewater would be a sensible signing. Bridgewater was once a Pro Bowler as a member of the Minnesota Vikings. He’s also started 65 games in his career. For Bridgewater, money doesn’t seem to be most important to him. At one point last year, he retired to coach high school football, winning the Class 3A Florida High School Athletic Association state title for his alma mater Miami Northwestern High School.
Bridgewater would join the Cowboys as a reliable backup with great character for the locker room. Also, with Prescott’s injury history, it benefits the team to have a viable option should Prescott be forced to miss games once again. Bridgewater has shown that if he’s equipped with a proper running game, he can make smart decisions to keep the offense on schedule and won’t turn the ball over. With backup quarterback market all but dried up, Dallas could do a lot worse than Bridgewater at backup quarterback.
