The wait ended for Dallas Cowboys fans who yearned to see their team make multiple free agent signings. And the decisions occurred after the 2024 NFL Draft.
Those deals, including the return of Ezekiel Elliott, headline today’s Cowboys news.
Dallas Cowboys News Today
Along with Elliott’s contract, today’s Cowboys news involved Michael Gallup landing at a new NFL destination, plus the team’s NFL Draft grades.
How Much Will Ezekiel Elliott Earn?
The former top-five draft selection for Dallas had been rumored to be returning to the franchise that took him No. 4 overall in 2016. Elliott intensified those rumblings with this cryptic social media post on Monday morning.
👀
— Ezekiel Elliott (@EzekielElliott) April 29, 2024
Now, Elliott has officially been lured back to the Cowboys. But how much will he earn this time around?
According to Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Elliott agreed to a one-year deal that’ll pay him $3 million. Elliott will also have $2 million guaranteed.
This deal is similar to the one he signed last offseason with the New England Patriots. Elliott also counts for a $6 million cap hit with Dallas for the 2024 season.
With “Zeke” returning to the Cowboys’ offense, here’s what the rest of the backfield looks like ahead of the upcoming season:
Here's how the Cowboys' RB room would look with the addition of Ezekiel Elliott. 🤔 https://t.co/6Y0egmUGxw pic.twitter.com/KhMuxSLdus
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) April 29, 2024
Without Elliott, Tony Pollard led the ground game with 1,005 yards. Pollard has since signed with the Tennessee Titans. Dallas, as a team, ranked 14th in total rushing yards.
Elliott wasn’t the only roster move the Cowboys made nearly 48 hours after the draft.
CONTINUE READING: Will Ezekiel Elliott Start in 2024?
Depth Piece Coming to Dallas’ Linebacker Room
In addition to the RB room, Dallas had a spot to fill at linebacker.
Per ESPN Cowboys reporter Todd Archer, Damien Wilson has emerged as that space filler by signing his new deal Monday.
The Cowboys have agreed to terms with veteran LB Damien Wilson, who ended last year on the active roster but did not play in a game, per a source. More depth at the position.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) April 29, 2024
Wilson, 30, will continue his second stint with the franchise. He was once a fourth-round selection (No. 127 overall) by the Cowboys out of the University of Minnesota.
From 2015-2018, Wilson started in 22 total games and compiled 121 total tackles with 86 solo stops. He also included nine total stops behind the line of scrimmage.
Wilson eventually landed with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019 and 2020, winning Super Bowl 54 in his first season with KC. He tallied 154 tackles with 98 solo stops and earned more combined starts at 29.
Wilson’s last two NFL stops were in Jacksonville and Carolina. While with the former, he delivered a career-best 106 tackles, 59 solo tackles, and five stops behind the line of scrimmage in 2021. He then made his way over to Carolina the following year.
The 6’0″, 243-pounder only made five starts for the Panthers. But again, his return adds needed depth behind 2024 free agent addition Eric Kendricks. Wilson, Kendricks, and third-round draft pick Marist Liufau represent the inside linebacker room.
Former Dallas WR Michael Gallup Heading West
Meanwhile, one former Cowboys offensive centerpiece has found his next NFL home.
Michael Gallup is signing his own one-year deal worth $3 million to join the Las Vegas Raiders, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported Monday.
Former Cowboys WR Michael Gallup plans to sign a one-year deal worth up to $3 million with the Las Vegas Raiders, per sources. pic.twitter.com/4tYHPy8lA7
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 29, 2024
Gallup was released in a salary cap move by Dallas in March. His numbers began to tip after his breakout 2019 season, which saw him rack up 1,107 receiving yards. Gallup struggled to surpass the 450-yard mark from 2021 to 2023.
He settled for only 34 catches for 418 yards and two touchdowns last season. Gallup will now join All-Pro Davante Adams and No. 13 overall pick Brock Bowers in the Raiders’ air attack.
What Draft Grade Did the Cowboys Earn?
After a quiet offseason, many wondered if the Cowboys would make their most noise during the three-day draft event.
Now, the draft grades are out, including for Dallas. Did the Cowboys earn a passing grade, or will this 2024 class earn a low report card?
Pro Football Network’s Oliver Hodgkinson evaluated the 2024 class of Cowboys rookies. Good news? Not a single draft pick Dallas made earned a grade below a C+.
KEEP READING: Who Did the Dallas Cowboys Draft In 2024?
Even more good news for Cowboy fans? Dallas was given a respectable draft grade of B+. The only blemish Hodgkinson pointed out was when the Cowboys addressed the interior defensive line, which wasn’t until the seventh round through Justin Rogers of Auburn.
“If you were looking to pick fault, you could argue that there were better nose tackle options available to complete the class in Round 7, but it was good work from a Cowboys front office who were feeling the heat following an offseason of relative inactivity,” Hodgkinson said.