The Cowboys still have the opportunity to add some quality starters before the NFL Draft.
The Dallas Cowboys were very active once free agency kicked off in March. They’ve signed more than 10 guys. Although they didn’t make any major moves, they did make a few that would have an instant impact, like edge rusher Dante Fowler Jr. and linebacker Jack Sanborn, who will likely earn a contributing role.
With that being said, Dallas still has holes on their roster that can be addressed before the NFL draft and allow them to have some flexibility in their strategy. Fortunately, there are still some veterans on the open market that could come in and instantly be starters on the Cowboys. Let’s take a look at two in particular.
Keenan Allen, WR
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CeeDee Lamb is one of the top wide receivers in the NFL. He’s also the only weapon on the outside that the Cowboys can have full confidence in. Keenan Allen is long in the tooth at 32 years old (will be 33 when the season starts), but he’s still a reliable player at the receiver position as he registered 70 receptions for 744 yards and seven touchdowns in 2024 (was a Pro Bowler in 2023). He’s very savvy and always finds a way to get to open spots in the zone.
With a playmaker like Lamb on the opposite side drawing so much attention, Allen can provide a perfect complement to him and give quarterback Dak Prescott and dependable option to keep the chains moving. There’s also the veteran presence in the locker room aspect that Allen can provide. Getting a player of his caliber to be around younger guys like Jalen Tolbert, Ryan Flournoy, and other inexperienced receivers will be beneficial.
Asante Samuel Jr., CB
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With Trevon Diggs and his availability for the 2025 season up in the air and losing Jourdan Lewis in free agency, the Cowboys need another cornerback. Samuel had a shoulder injury that limited him to just four games in 2024. However, with the Cowboys being very frugal when it comes to spending, that can work in their favor as they will likely get him for cheaper with the injury concerns.
Samuel has been a very good NFL corner when he’s on the field. He racked up six interceptions and 35 pass breakups during his first three seasons in the league. Bringing him on the roster would give the Cowboys another quality player at the cornerback position, and it would also allow them to be more cautious with Diggs and his return.
Another key point in regards to Allen and Samuel is that they wouldn’t hinder the Cowboys from addressing either position in the draft. In fact, it would actually give them two starters for 2025 and give younger players the opportunity to develop instead of having to play right out of the gate like most draft picks in Dallas have to do.
