[Updated 3/18] The Cowboys have done what they have done the last two seasons, and that is to let the market settle after the free agency frenzy madness calms down. This is going to be the norm around here, and that’s a good thing. Gone are the days of over zealous spending on aging veterans. I’m very impressed with the way the Cowboys are going the business side of the team, they are keeping the roster young and hungry. The culture has changed for the best in Dallas.
Thus far, the Cowboys have added the following free agents to the team:
Greg Hardy, DE (1-yr deal / $750k base, but upto $13.1 mil)
The Cowboys needed to keep the defensive upgrades coming and adding Hardy could potentially be huge. The Cowboys lacked any sort of pass rush most of the season, and sacking the QB is what Hardy’s game is all about. Signing Hardy will not preclude the Cowboys from adding more defensive ends in free agency or the draft. Good move by the Cowboys, very smart contract.
Andrew Gachkar, LB (2-yr deal / $5.5 mil)
With questions looming over the linebacker corps, the Cowboys are wasting no time in adding bodies. Gachkar has been dubbed a special teamers ace, and that’ll probably be his bread and butter with the Cowboys. He’ll give the Cowboys a boost in special teams and will give the Cowboys some much needed depth at LB.
Corey White, CB (1-yr deal)
The Cowboys are paper thin at cornerback and they are slowly addressing the lack of depth on the roster. The signing of White gives the Cowboys some depth at CB, but the Cowboys will have to address the position with another veteran signing or the draft most likely. Signing White probably means the Cowboys are moving on from Sterling Moore, and this leaves me to believe there was something going on behind the scenes we are not privy to. Moore looked good on the field, so we’ll see how the Cowboys bolster a weak secondary.
Darren McFadden, RB (2-yr deal / $5.8 mil)
McFadden was highly touted out of Arkansas, but his talent never translated to the pros while with the Raiders (could be the reason). He’s been slapped with the injury prone label and missed quite a bit of games, but we’re not bringing McFadden in as DeMarco’s replacement, but rather insurance. Insurance against the off field issues with Randle, who is looking at a suspension from the league, possibly. We don’t know yet, but either way, I doubt the Cowboys trust Randle. It would not surprise me if the Cowboys draft DeMarco’s true replacement in the draft, and then cut ties with Randle.
What I do like about McFadden’s game are the low fumbles over the past 4 seasons. Early on McFadden had issues holding onto the ball, but he has corrected the issue and does not hold the ball carelessly.
Ray Agnew III, FB (2-yr deal)
Agnew was an undrafted free agent who spent some time on the Browns 53-man roster, but never caught on and was released. PFF also graded him with a negative rating in run blocking. We’ll see how the Cowboys use Agnew.
Jed Collins, FB (1-yr deal)
Collins was signed the day before Agnew, so there will be some competition here at the FB spot. Will the spot go to Agnew or Collins? We’ll find out over the next few months.
Jasper Brinkley, LB (2-yr deal)
The Cowboys have lost Durant and Carter to free agency, so it was a no-brainer for the Cowboys to bring in some veteran linebackers to fill the void. Brinkley fits the mold of what the Cowboys look for in defenders. Brinkley hails from South Carolina, a SEC school, and the Cowboys have gone the SEC several times for defenders. Brinkley could probably start next to Lee and Hitchens, but more depth will be needed.
Keith Rivers, LB (1-yr deal)
The former 1st round pick from USC is looking to get his career back on track, and the Cowboys were willing to give him a look-see deal. At 28, Rivers still has some tread on his tires and should be able to offer the Cowboys some depth at LB. We could very well see the Cowboys draft LB in the draft, and it could be early. Last year the Cowboys missed out on Ryan Shazier, so they may re-visit that strategy again this year.
We’ll update this page with the newest signings as they happen. We still need some depth at cornerback, let’s see who Cowboys look at.
Let’s go Dallas!
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