Dallas City News

As of last week, the Dallas Cowboys gained some relief on the salary cap as they absorbed $9.5M in cap space after designating Michael Gallup a June 1st cap casualty. For Gallup, he struggled to regain his form after an ACL injury during the 2021 season and was never quite the same. Gallup’s release allowed both sides to have a fresh start, with Gallup joining the Las Vegas Raiders and Dallas getting some cap space. Now, we all know that the Cowboys aren’t going to spend all of it in one place, and they usually like to hunt for a bargain. Frankly, at this stage in the offseason, that’s what everyone should expect. Here are three free agents the Cowboys could look to add with their $9.5M in savings.

Matt Breida, running back

Dallas’ running back rotation is far from set for the season. In fact, it’s a bit underwhelming. Re-signing Ezekiel Elliott only added to a stable of running backs with no clear leader as the team leans into a running back by committee approach. Elliott has his own concerns regarding his potential for explosive runs, but he is very durable and a good pass protector. Rico Dowdle has limited experience, Deuce Vaughn is a question mark, and Royce Freeman isn’t assured of making the 53-man roster. Matt Brieda is a player who can serve multiple purposes.

He’s a West Coast offense style of running back, having spent time with Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers, who can contribute as a receiver out of the backfield. Also, Brieda could return kicks if asked to. Despite a disappointing year with the New York Giants last season, Brieda still averages over 4.5 yards per carry for his career. Since Brieda is such a well-traveled veteran, him to command no more than $1.5M in salary.

Randall Cobb, wide receiver

At this stage in the offseason, you’re looking for minimal risk with an even lesser commitment if things don’t work out. However, the reward for adding Randall Cobb heavily overshadows the risk of returning him to Dallas.

First, there’s the connection Randall Cobb has with Mike McCarthy, who the Green Bay Packers drafted in 2011. Then, remember the last “good” season Cobb had been with Dak Prescott in 2019 when Cobb had 79 receptions for 829 yards as the third receiver in the offense before parlaying that performance into a sizable contract with the Houston Texans. Dallas is counting on the youth at wide receiver to assume the third receiver duties behind CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks in the form of Jalen Tolbert and Jalen Brooks. Still, Cobb is an extra precaution if something falters with the Brooks and Tolbert. Again, by the preseason, the Cowboys should know where Cobb, Brooks, and Tolbert stand, so they can if they need to cut their losses with Cobb if they need to. At 33 years old, Cobb probably won’t get even his salary last season of $3M, and much of his contract could be non-guaranteed.

Josh Woods, Linebacker

The Cowboys need linebackers and are asking for a significant improvement from several young players to step up in their roles. The team has Eric Kendricks as the elder statesman to spearhead the leadership at the position, with rookie Marist Liufau and Damone Clark needing to have a substantial impact if the team hopes to stop the run better than last season. Furthermore, according to the team’s unofficial depth chart, their second-string linebackers at the mike, weak side, and strong side linebackers are Buddy Johnson, a recovering DeMarvion Overshown (ACL tear), and Markquese Bell, although Bell is expected to return to safety

Adding somebody like Josh Woods would supplement the roster. Woods doesn’t have a ton of skins on the wall and would have his work cut out for him to make the team. Woods had his best season as a professional in 2023 with 61 tackles, two for loss, and a half sack. The Cowboys could sign Woods to a team-friendly two-year contract and secure a player who could be a late bloomer and potentially thrive under defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.