Cowboys 2024 free agency tracker: DT DE Jonathan Hankins Dante Fowler Jr.’s return to the squad
Texas’s Frisco NFL free agency has begun, and with analysis from our NFL Nation writers and expert ratings, we’re keeping tabs on every significant signing, trade, and release of the 2023 offseason. At 4 p.m. ET on March 15, the new league year got underway. ESPN will air the first round of the 2023 NFL draft on April 27.
The Dallas Cowboys view themselves as a draft-and-develop team; they don’t make big splashes in free agency; instead, they use it to fix deficiencies.
In 2012, they signed Brandon Carr for $50 million over five years as their last significant free agent. Rather, they like to bring in guys beneath the radar, such as Bryan Anger, Dante Fowler Jr., Jayron Kearse, and Malik Hooker, who go on to underperform their contracts.
Wide receiver, linebacker, defensive line, offensive line, tight end, kicker, and backup quarterback are just a few of the positions the Cowboys need to fill. However, they mostly want to keep their own players, since 18 of them are expected to enter the free market after running back Tony Pollard was given the franchise tag.
They would like to spend large sums of money on their own players, such as wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, cornerback Trevon Diggs, and maybe tight end Tyler Biadasz, who were selected in the 2020 draft and are now qualified for second contracts.
The following lists every 2023 NFL free agent that the Cowboys signed, along with an analysis of how each will affect the next campaign:
Defensive lineman Jonathan Hankins is back with the Cowboys on a one-year, $1.3 million contract that includes a $1.1 million guarantee.
What it means: Much as they did with Donovan Wilson and Leighton Vander Esch, the Cowboys retain a crucial component of Dan Quinn’s defense. After being acquired from the Las Vegas Raiders in a trade, Hankins played admirably. Despite missing time due to a pectoral issue, he was credited with 12 tackles, a tackle for loss, and two quarterback pressures. He provides the Cowboys with size on the inside of their defensive line, which ought to provide more freedom of movement for Vander Esch and the linebackers.
What’s at risk: Not a lot in terms of money. A basic salary of $940,000 plus a $152,500 signing bonus was guaranteed by the Cowboys. As the season progresses, Mike McCarthy—who will soon turn 31—does a fantastic job of making sure his veterans get enough rest and aren’t put in more danger during practice. This is his eleventh year as coach. The Cowboys will still choose a defensive lineman in the draft despite this.
Defender Dante Fowler Jr.
With a one-year contract for $3 million on base, $4.25 million maximum, and $1 million bonus, the Cowboys are bringing Fowler back.
What it means: Micah Parsons, Dorance Armstrong, DeMarcus Lawrence, Fowler, and Sam Williams, the Cowboys’ best pass-rushers from 2022, are back. The Cowboys were third in the NFL in sack total last season with 54. With just 343 snaps, Fowler recorded six sacks. He desired to remain with the defensive coordinator, Quinn. Quinn coached him in Atlanta and recruited him to Florida. He is aware of Quinn’s desires, and Quinn is skilled at getting the best out of Fowler.
There is not much of a risk. A $1 million bonus is due to the Cowboys on a contract that is nearly identical to the one from the previous year. Indeed, should the Cowboys choose a pass-rusher early in the draft and witness the sophomore class’s surge
Long snapper Trent Sieg has signed a $1.232 million, one-year contract with Dallas.
What it means: Jake McQuaide’s decision to join with Detroit left the Cowboys without a player. Last year, McQuaide had a triceps injury that limited his playing time, but by the conclusion of the season, he was back to normal. Nevertheless, Sieg, who had played for the Raiders for five years, made the Cowboys younger. He will turn 28 in May, and he should get along well with punter Bryan Anger and the team that kicks the ball. Since L.P. Ladouceur in 2009, the Cowboys have not had a long snapper this young. From 2005 to 2020, Ladouceur was the Cowboys’ snapper. McQuaide, 35, and Matt Overton, 37, came after him.
Which kind of risk is it, financial? Essentially none, even though the Cowboys pledged to pay him $250,000 of his basic pay. They have a skilled snapper with a great deal of expertise. That’s always a plus, particularly considering that they now only have Tristain Vizcaino contracted and need to find a solution at kicker.
Rush, the quarterback, Cooper, reached an agreement to rejoin the Cowboys on a two-year contract worth $5 million on base, $6 million at maximum, and $1.25 million bonus.
Interpretation: The Cowboys are aware of the potential in their backup quarterback. Given that Dak Prescott has missed at least one game due to injury in each of the last three seasons, it is a valuable asset. Over his career, Rush has a 5-1 record, eight touchdown passes, and four interceptions. After Prescott fractured his thumb in the previous season, the Cowboys failed to qualify for the postseason without his consistent play. When he has to play, teammates think they have a chance in case Prescott is injured again.
There is really no danger. In an offseason that has seen him lose Kellen Moore, Doug Nussmeier, and Ezekiel Elliott, Prescott has a confidante in the quarterback room. Financially, the agreement is comparable to that of a backup quarterback ($2.5 million annually). The Cowboys will still have Prescott, Rush, and Will Grier back in the starting lineup from the previous two seasons, but it doesn’t prevent them from selecting a quarterback on the second day of the draft if they so desire.
Ronald Jones, a back
Jones and the Cowboys have reached an agreement on a $1.232 million, one-year deal.
What it implies: With Tony Pollard on the franchise tag, the Cowboys understood they would need running back assistance when they cut Ezekiel Elliott. Is Jones the sole stand-in for
There truly isn’t any risk. After losing Kellen Moore, Doug Nussmeier, and Ezekiel Elliott in the summer, Prescott still has a confidante in the quarterback room. The contract’s financial terms are comparable to those of a backup quarterback ($2.5 million annually). It doesn’t stop the Cowboys from selecting a quarterback on the second day of the draft if they so want, but Prescott, Rush, and Will Grier, the team’s starting three from the previous two seasons, will be back.
Ronald Jones, a quarterback
A one-year contract for $1.232 million has been agreed to by Jones and the Cowboys.
What that implies: The Cowboys understood they needed running back assistance when they cut Ezekiel Elliott, especially with Tony Pollard on the franchise tag. Is Jones the only one available to replace.
