The Dallas Cowboys have made it clear that they intend to lean on their youth this season. However, as they enter Week 3 of training camp, some of their roster weaknesses have become more apparent.
Whether it is a lack of dependable talent or a serious injury greatly impacting their depth, the Cowboys have spots that could use a veteran’s presence. We analyze five free agents who are still available and could help the Cowboys in their weakest spots.
5 Players Still Available That Could Help the Cowboys
The current list of available players in the league will not blow you away. Whether it is age or lack of recent production, most of these players are still available for a reason. However, that doesn’t mean that many of these guys couldn’t come in and help a contender this season.
The Cowboys, who are still in a championship window, could add a veteran or two to make a huge difference for their young roster in 2024. We analyze five available players that could make sense for them to add ahead of the regular season.
DT Linval Joseph
The NFL is a connection’s business. Oftentimes, it’s not what you know but who you know. In the case of Linval Joseph, the fit just makes too much sense with Mike Zimmer now the defensive coordinator in Dallas.
In addition to the familiarity, Dallas has a tremendous need in the middle of its defensive line, a group that has been an issue for quite some time. As a unit, the Cowboys have struggled with stopping the run, and the majority of the issue comes down to the right personnel and lack of talent.
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Veteran Johnathan Hankins left for Seattle in the offseason, and the Cowboys only added Justin Rogers with a seventh-round pick this offseason to fill the gap. That leaves only one productive member, Osa Odighizuwa, to rely on. While Mazi Smith in Year 2 looks to have a better campaign in 2024, veteran Carl Davis isn’t expected to have a massive impact.
Adding the 6’3″, 328-pound Joseph and putting him in the rotation alongside Smith and Rogers adds a proven run-stopper while the others hopefully develop into that themselves. Joseph finished 2023 with 12 tackles, one sack, and one tackle for loss in limited action for the Buffalo Bills.
His role would be slightly expanded in Dallas, giving him a chance to have a bigger impact on a defensive unit that needs it.
EDGE Carl Lawson
The Cowboys already brought in Carl Lawson for a workout last week, and while they opted not to sign him this time, it doesn’t mean they can’t circle back around and make it happen ahead of the start of the season.
It is unknown whether it was for financial reasons or not, but if Lawson is still available once September rolls around, there is a real chance they may revisit the situation once again if they are still not pleased with the depth of the EDGE group.
The Cowboys need players who can attack the quarterback and are tough on the run. Lawson checks both of those boxes. He has tallied 27 sacks in 73 games and, according to TruMedia, has 150 pressures, 83 QB hits, and a pressure percentage of 13.1%.
RB Kareem Hunt
The biggest question mark on the Cowboys roster may be the running back room. With Players such as Ezekiel Elliott, Royce Freeman, and Rico Dowdle expected to factor into the mix, there’s a chance Dallas may not be satisfied with the current group.
Running back is tricky nowadays, especially with veterans who may have a little more tread on their tires. However, Dallas’ running back room isn’t scaring anybody away from adding to the group if they think they can help, and Kareem Hunt could get a call.
Kareem Hunt is 27-years old and still really good at football. He’s going to alter an NFL RB room in a big way when he inevitably signs somewhere.
pic.twitter.com/HXk5Jjmyyy— Alfredo Brown (@AlfredoABrown) July 17, 2023
On a pure yards-per-carry basis, Hunt’s 3.0 yards per carry in 2023 were nothing to be excited about. However, his nine touchdowns in limited action for the Cleveland Browns last season are. With not much settled in the room, there is a chance the Cowboys could call Hunt to kick the tires on a player who clearly knows how to find the end zone.
EDGE Yannick Ngakoue
Yannick Ngakoue is a big name who didn’t get a call from the Cowboys the last time they brought in EDGE players for a look. Part of that is most assuredly due to money reasons, as the Cowboys have been notoriously struggling with their spending this offseason. However, as the season draws closer, the Cowboys may find themselves willing to pony up a little more for production.
MORE: Dallas Cowboys Depth Chart
Ngakoue played in 13 games for the Chicago Bears last season and finished the year with four sacks, 34 pressures, and eight quarterback hits. He also finished the season with six tackles for loss and posted a career-high 9.9% tackle percentage in the run game, according to TruMedia.
The veteran has a knack for getting after the passer and has done so at a high level for his entire 10-year career, during which he tallied 69 sacks. The Cowboys have obvious needs at EDGE beyond Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, and it shouldn’t surprise anyone if they continuously look to upgrade the position despite already adding to it.
DT Lawrence Guy
Much like Joseph, who was mentioned earlier, Lawrence Guy is a veteran with years of production in the NFL. He is a leader in the locker room and someone the younger players can look up to as an example of how to play the game the right way.
Guy played in 17 games and started 12 in 2023, finishing with 38 total tackles and one tackle for loss. He may not be the dominant player he was a few years ago, but he still may have something left in the tank, and the Cowboys could use a player of his pedigree and skillset this season.
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