Cowboys that are Entering Contract Year

The Cowboys will have several decisions to make with the roster leading up to the game opener against the 49ers. The most recent news came from Jason Garrett’s press conference in which he indicated that DeVonte Holloman’s football career was over per doctor recommendations. It’s unfortunate to say the least, so the Cowboys will likely be bringing in some guys to shore up the linebackers.

As for the 2014 season, there are some other key players that are playing in their contract year; as in, after this season they could go elsewhere unless the Cowboys extend these guys during this season or sign once free agency opens up in 2015.

Here are the players the Cowboys will need to decide whether they have another contract coming their way or not.

Jeremy Parnell 28 UFA
Tyler Clutts 29 UFA
Darrion Weems 25 RFA
Dez Bryant 25 UFA
Rolando McClain 27 UFA
Bruce Carter 26 UFA
Nick Hayden 26 UFA
Anythony Spencer 30 UFA
George Selvie 27 UFA
Dwayne Harris 26 UFA
DeMarco Murray 26 UFA

Cole Beasley 25 RFA
Lance Dunbar 24 RFA
Chris Jones 25 RFA

Ron Leary 25 Exclusive Rights FA

Doug Free 30 Club Option or UFA

Henry Melton 27 club option If he’s on the roster the 1st league day of 2015, a 3 year $24M extension with $9M guaranteed vests

These are all good players, but there are a few that could potentially not make this year’s round of roster cuts. After the season starts, the Cowboys will be evaluating the talent and value of these guys and determine which of these players get new contracts.

Dez Bryant tops the list, but he won’t be going anywhere, we all know that. Expect a monster contract soon. Question is, what do the Cowboys do with players like Selvie, Murray, Harris, Leary, Free or Melton?

George Selvie is still young enough to earn another contract with the Cowboys, but he’ll need to show more of what he gave us last year, and then there’s no guarantee he’ll want to stay. Every player wants to get paid, so there’s that.

DeMarco Murray is probably in the same boat as Selvie, but he’ll need to show some durability. The Cowboys have been burned with injury prone guys like Miles Austin and Sean Lee, so they may tread lightly when it comes to re-upping Murray for big bucks.

Doug Free will be interesting because the Cowboys do have the option to keep him on board with the club option, but at a significantly higher rate ~$8 million. The Cowboys could also let Free walk and move Zack Martin over to RT, but then the Cowboys will need to fill that RG void. Either way, the Cowboys could take another offensive lineman in 2015, and just maul everyone left and right. The defensive rebuild may prevent another 1st round O-lineman though.

Henry Melton will need to play and stay healthy or the Cowboys will let him walk as well by forgoing the club option contract extension. The Cowboys did great with this contract, and now have some depth behind Melton to push him if needed.

From the RFAs on the team, Cole Beasley has the most worth right now. He is still young and if he proves to be an asset in the passing game the Cowboys will offer him a contract. Dunbar and Jones are support players and can go elsewhere.

Anthony Spencer is too old and beat up, I doubt they give him a new contract, but then again, it is Spencer and he has been very crafty in getting money from the Cowboys. Who know’s here.

Parnell and Weems are likely goners, as is Carter.

We’ll see who earns their keep!