The Dallas Cowboys are a historic franchise with a rich championship tradition. And although they are not known for much of it now, the team has made many impactful additions in free agency throughout the years.
Despite Dallas’ tight-to-the-vest approach in recent memory, the Cowboys may not have won some of their most recent Super Bowls without a few of these important additions.
Ranking the Greatest Free Agency Additions in Dallas Cowboys’ History
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was once known for wheeling and dealing. The former oil tycoon was unafraid to take a chance at a massive payout, and that translated to his NFL life as well.
While that strategy has tempered a bit over the last few years, it didn’t erase the past home runs he hit in free agency.
Let’s take a deeper look at the five greatest Cowboys signings of all time!
5) Terrell Owens
Kicking off the list is a big-name wide receiver who had an ever-bigger personality. Terrell Owens was first a member of the Cowboys’ two biggest rivals: the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles.
Before joining the team, he infamously disrespected the midfield star, which set up an interesting dynamic when Owens got to Dallas. However, once Owens got on the field and began to produce in a Cowboys uniform, a lot of that was forgiven by the Cowboys Nation.
Owens joined the Cowboys ahead of the 2006 season after two seasons with the Eagles. He only spent three seasons in Dallas due to clashes with the coaching staff and the front office. However, during his tenure, he had every bit of the impact on the field they had hoped he would.
Owens only missed one game during his time in Dallas, finishing with 235 receptions, 3,587 yards, and 38 touchdowns as Tony Romo’s No. 1 weapon.
4) La’Roi Glover
Much like the man listed above him, La’Roi Glover didn’t provide a Super Bowl title to the Cowboys, but his contributions on the field cannot be overstated.
With stops in Oakland and New Orleans before signing with the Cowboys, Glover was well-traveled before settling in Dallas. From there, he found stability and played the best football of his career.
In his four years with the Cowboys, Glover didn’t miss a game and finished with a Pro Bowl nod in all four seasons, as well as two All-Pro selections.
#NeverForget La'roi Glover's 4 seasons with the #Cowboys. pic.twitter.com/jtweGfCYva
— John Owning (@JohnOwning)
Glover finished his tenure with 21.5 sacks and 32 tackles for loss while solidifying himself as one of the veteran leaders of a tough defensive group. He’s remembered as one of the very best signings Jones and Co. ever pulled the trigger on.
3) Nate Newton
Nate Newton wasn’t just a regular old free agent coming from an NFL team; he came from the then-disbanded USFL, where he played for the Tampa Bay Bandits until the league folded.
Newton spent 13 of 14 seasons in the NFL with Dallas and finished with six Pro Bowl selections and three Super Bowl titles. He was a staple in the middle of the Cowboys’ offensive line and had the imposing physical presence needed to lead Emmitt Smith and Co. through their reign in the 1990s.
MORE: Ranking the Best Dallas Cowboys Quarterbacks of All Time
The Cowboys were known for their tremendous offensive linemen throughout their championship runs, and Newton’s free agent signing was another pivotal piece needed to secure that reputation.
2) Jay Novacek
The history of great Cowboys tight ends is well-documented. While players such as Jason Witten receive a lot of attention, Jay Novacek isn’t soon forgotten either.
Novacek signed with Dallas in 1990 and became a staple in the offense and a security blanket for Troy Aikman. He finished his career as a five-time Pro Bowler and a one-time All-Pro selection. Novacek won three Super Bowls with Dallas, finishing with 339 receptions for 3,576 yards and 22 touchdowns.
Novacek is third all-time among tight ends in Cowboys receiving, trailing only Doug Cosbie (3,728) and Witten (12,977), setting up what was one of the best free agent signings the Cowboys ever made.
1) Deion Sanders
The No. 1 spot belongs to Prime Time himself, Mr. Deion Sanders. When Sanders’ huge personality came to America’s Team, it was everything they had hoped for.
From years of facing him while a member of the Atlanta Falcons and 49ers, Jones had enough of facing the man and instead brought him to Dallas.
The Cowboys lost to Sanders and the 49ers in the 1994 NFC Championship Game. The next season, they signed him to a seven-year, $35 million deal, ensuring he could no longer hurt them.
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Sanders played five seasons for the Cowboys, winning one Super Bowl, totaling 14 interceptions, and was an All-Pro in four of those five seasons.
Sanders came in and changed the way offenses could attack the Cowboys’ defense. He was electric on special teams and even spent time as a wide receiver catching passes from Aikman.
Run for a TD in the second quarter. Catch a pick in the fourth.
Dallas had @DeionSanders doing everything in this Divisional Round win over the Eagles. (Jan. 7, 1996) @dallascowboys #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/WfyjA26poz
— NFL Legacy (@NFLLegacy)
Sanders truly did it all and signals the last true superstar signing Jones and Co. went all in for, making him the best Cowboys free agent signing of all time.