DALLAS — March madness has arrived! No, not the college basketball tournament, but the time of the month where the Dallas Cowboys usually get moving on signing free agents.
After a flurry of movement around the league early on, things have quieted down considerably. For their part, the Cowboys have only signed one outside free agent and a few of their own players. With the number of quality options dwindling on the open market, the organization could be focusing on the draft that is just over a month away.
Free agency has seen Dallas bring in one player, linebacker Eric Kendricks, but holes remain on the roster. One LB isn’t enough for a position that remains woefully thin, and the team has significant needs on both lines, as well as at running back and wide receiver.
There is good news with this upcoming draft class is that it lines up well for the Cowboys and their needs in the trenches, it’s a solid draft to need help on either side of the ball. WR is another place where the group of incoming prospects is deep. However, the Cowboys will have to search for the right spots to find help at LB and RB.
Here’s where the team stands as free agency winds down and the draft preparation begins to ramp up:
Offensive line
The Cowboys lost two starters in free agency when center Tyler Biadasz signed with the Washington Commanders and perennial All-Pro left tackle Tyron Smith signed with the New York Jets. Biadasz’s exit wasn’t as concerning as Smith’s, who inked an incentive-laden deal.
Replacing two starters isn’t easy, and considering how right tackle Terence Steele struggled in 2023, the Cowboys are looking at a rough transition into a new group. Right guard Zack Martin and Tyler Smith are All-Pros, but more help is needed. Where Smith lines up can be up for debate and the plan for the young lineman might be determined with how the draft shakes out.
Most draft experts have at least 15 linemen who could go in the top 75 picks, and all three positions have quality players, so the Cowboys should be able to add some help. It’s a good year to rebuild on the offensive line.
Defensive line
One of the goals this offseason was to fix the run defense, something that got tougher when defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins left for the Seattle Seahawks and linebacker Leighton Vander Esch retired. Kendrick’s addition helps, but the Cowboys could use another LB or two to fortify the position. The team isn’t likely to draft one in the first round, but the middle rounds could be a place where they find another option.
The draft has a solid group of DTs who can help in the middle. There should be some good players for the interior of the defense available in the first few rounds. It’s unlikely that the team would pick a tackle in the first round after selecting Mazi Smith in the same spot last year, but they’ll have options on day 2 in the draft.
An underrated need for the team is defensive end. It’s not a place where they’re weak, but after Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, the team doesn’t have a known third edge rusher.
Third-year man Sam Williams will finally get his shot at a bigger role, the hope is that he takes off under new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. The defense needs more, those three aren’t enough.
The other two rotational edge rushers of the last few seasons bolted for Washington to play for Dan Quinn. Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler combined for 26 sacks in the last two years, and there isn’t anyone ready to take over their roles.
It’s a top-heavy group of edge rushers in the draft, so if the Cowboys want one of the better prospects, they should pounce with one of their first two selections in April.
Running back
It has been a rough offseason for the Cowboys at a position that they are known for. The team had hoped last year’s starter Tony Pollard would return, but he found a richer deal with the Tennessee Titans. His backup, Rico Dowdle, re-signed but he shouldn’t be counted on to be an every down back and is best suited for a shared role.
With the free agent options all but gone, Dallas is shifting their focus on the draft. There aren’t any RBs worthy of taking in the first round, but the team could find the sweet spot in the second or third round.
The Cowboys aren’t used to being without a marquee runner in the backfield, and the hope is that they find another gem in the draft. Expect the team to select a RB early, which should give them one of the top options.
Wide receiver
A pass catcher won’t be the biggest area of need for the Cowboys, but it wasn’t the case in 2020 either and the CeeDee Lamb pick has worked out well. Lamb stands atop the depth chart and veteran Brandin Cooks is a quality second option, but things get murky after that.
With Michael Gallup on the way out, Jalen Tolbert is expected to take a jump into the third receiver spot, but his first two seasons were slow going for the former third-round pick. More is needed from Tolbert, or any of the other WRs on the roster. Last year’s seventh-round selection Jalen Brooks could see a larger role as well.
This draft is full of potential at WR. As many as six receivers could come off the board in the first round and a quality prospect could be found through the first four rounds. The Cowboys will have a chance to draft a WR that could impact their 2024 outlook with the 24th overall pick or wait until later and still come away with a potential future starter.
It’s a rich draft for the skill players and the Cowboys shouldn’t miss on adding a playmaker at WR in April.
Do you think the Cowboys will bolster their roster before the draft in April? Share your thoughts with Ben on Twitter @BenGrimaldi.
More Dallas Cowboys coverage: