NFL
By: Greg Rector
Dallas Cowboys fans find themselves pretty happy with the moves made by the Jones boys since the new league year began on Wednesday. Usually, free agency has been a simple process for Dallas Cowboys fans. Listen to Jerry and Stephen blow smoke about a potentially big deal, get excited for the new league year, and then disappointment sets in when they do nothing outside of restructuring and re-signing their own guys. The last “big” free agent signing for the Dallas Cowboys was Brandon Carr in 2012. So forgive us if we were just a bit surprised that things have happened in the offices at Frisco.
We Love Our Guys
Of course, the Jones are keeping their guys. The Dallas Cowboys have re-signed both safety Donovan Wilson and linebacker Leighton Vander Esch to deals that make sense for the player and the team. The Wilson signing was the one “We Love Our Guys” re-signing I was most hoping for. in 2022 Donovan Wilson had a great season. 101 tackles 77 of which were solo, 9 tackles for loss, 5 quarterback sacks, and a further 7 tackles for loss. he is also a heart and soul character on and off the field. Seeing the Dallas Cowboys invest in the safety room is something many fans have longed to see and with keeping Jayron Kearse and Malik Hooker last year, Dallas keeping all three players now is music to our ears. Wilson’s deal is for three years for up to $24 million dollars.
Being able to re-sign Vander Esch for 2 years at $11 million is also a nice surprise. Here’s the thing though, both Wilson and Vander Esch had it as their priority to return to the Dallas Cowboys. Many NFL prognosticators felt the market for Vander Esch would be good. I had heard his name attached to the Steelers, Bills, and even the Eagles after they lost TJ Edwards in free agency. Vander Esch was able to bounce back after two injury-riddled seasons and solidified the second level of the Dallas Cowboys defense. That in turn was a major reason the jewel of the defense aka Micah Parsons was able to focus on being the pass-rushing nightmare.
Of course, the usual suspects’ Dak Prescott Zach Martin Tyron Smith, and Demarcus Lawrence all restructured their contracts in a somewhat annual occurrence for three of them.
The Trade
The Dallas Cowboys truly stunned most of us though with the trade for corner Stephon Gilmore for a 5th-round draft pick from the Indianapolis Colts. Yes, Gilmore is 32 and I get he may not be quite as fast as he once was. That still doesn’t mean he can’t provide the Dallas Cowboys with something so badly needed after Anthony Brown was injured in 2022. The Dallas Cowboys have a true CB2. The cornerback room is loaded and has depth now. For me, the most important thing Gilmore can bring to the table though is what he can teach Trevon Diggs. Diggs has more interceptions than any corner in NFL history in their first 35 games. That’s a nice stat, but there’s more to playing corner than that. My complaint about Diggs has been his unwillingness or misgivings about being a tackler. Gilmore has never shied away from that aspect of the game. Having a former defensive player of the year to learn from should make Diggs that much better.
The other big factor I have been on both Stephen and Jerry for is not going out and getting guys who have reached the mountaintop in free agency. Last year until the Dallas Cowboys signed Jason Peters there were NO Super Bowl rings on the roster. Stephon Gilmore changes that.
Are They Finished
There’s still over $20 million in cap space that can be used. Whether they finally sign Odell Beckham Jr. or trade for De’Andre Hopkins remains to be seen. If either happens that would be a bonus. I really don’t see them signing anyone although given the lack of true speed on the Dallas Cowboys offense, I don’t why Mecole Hardman’s (4.33 40 time) phone hasn’t been ringing off the hook with calls from The Star.
Re-signing their guys and making that trade accomplish exactly what the free agency period is for addressing “Needs” and so far the Dallas Cowboys get an A grade on that front from me.
As always find me on Twitter @GregsCowboys
