Cowboys to see 14 players enter free agency in 2024
Following the unexpected conclusion of the 2023 season, the Dallas Cowboys are now focusing on the next offseason, as 14
players from the previous team—including important players on all three phases of the team—will be available for free agency.
These are the 14 players who will be available for free when the market opens on March 13. They will all be free agents without limitations.
Tyron Smith (13 seasons with DAL) The impending free agency of starting left tackle Tyron Smith will be one of the
more interesting ones to follow as the offseason kicks into high gear.
His stellar play on the field in 2023 was certainly a plus up front, but it’s when he is off the field where the liability lies.
Is Smith’s health and availability reliable enough to bring back? And if so, for how long and for how much? Those will be
questions that will have to be answered before making a further decision on the future Hall of Famer.
Tony Pollard (5 seasons with DAL) This past season, the Cowboys made the decision to deploy their franchise tag on
Tony Pollard, who inked a $10.09 million contract.
The front office will now need to decide once more how to handle its starting running back.
They have two options: they may sign him to a short-term contract or attempt to reapply the franchise tag for one more season.
If they decide to bring him back at all, that is. Pollard ran for 1,005 yards with six touchdowns in 2023, but his average of 4.0
yards per carry was a career low.
Stephon Gilmore (1 season with DAL) Trading for Stephon Gilmore gave Dallas a veteran cornerback for one season
that proved to be even more valuable when Trevon Diggs went down for the season in week three.
Gilmore has spent the last four seasons with four different teams and could be looking for a bit of stability late in his career.
However, the Cowboys will welcome back Diggs along with first-team All-Pro DaRon Bland next season leaving a question as
to who is the odd man left out when looking at three All-Pro boundary corners with only two slots on the field.
Jourdan Lewis (7 seasons with DAL) Jourdan Lewis, who may find himself the odd man out in a loaded cornerback
room in 2024, might be the subject of the same inquiries as Gilmore.
Lewis could return as a slot nickel with Diggs and Bland on the perimeter, but it’s difficult to see Gilmore and Lewis on the team next season.
Dorance Armstrong (6 seasons with DAL) The second-leading sack-getter for the Dallas Cowboys in 2023 is due to hit
the free agent market as Dorance Armstrong will look to pair his strong year on the field with a sizable contract this offseason.
As a pass-rusher that has shown consistency and reliability over the last two seasons, Armstrong could be in line for a
payday. In 2023, Armstrong accounted for 7.5 sacks and 38 tackles.
Jayron Kearse (3 seasons with DAL) An up-and-down 2023 season makes the Jayron Kearse free agency interesting
going into the offseason, especially considering that the front office extended both Donovan Wilson and Malik Hooker before the season.
With a few intriguing safety options in the first two rounds of the draft, could the Cowboys look to bring in a replacement for
Kearse at a cheaper price? Or do they bring him back to provide reliability in 2024?
Another potential factor in his free agency would be a potential Dan Quinn exit.
Dante Fowler Jr. (2 seasons with DAL) Speaking of Dan Quinn guys, Dante Fowler Jr. is due for free agency this
offseason after two years in Dallas followed up two years spent in Atlanta including one of those with Quinn.
Fowler was mostly a rotational piece in the pass rush unit this past season and accounted for just four sacks – his lowest since 2020.
Noah Igbinoghene (1 season with DAL) After being traded for just days before the season began, cornerback Noah Igbinoghene is set to hit free agency.
Igbinoghene only saw late-game, blowout action on defense early in the season and minimal special teams work throughout
the year. He became a frequently inactive player in the back half of the season.
Johnathan Hankins (2 seasons with DAL) The Cowboys selected defensive tackle Mazi Smith in the first round of the
2018 NFL Draft in an attempt to strengthen their defensive interior.
However, following an underwhelming rookie campaign, securing consistency at the position is now a top priority for the team in the summer.
Although the return of seasoned player Jonathan Hankins would offer some respite, should the team instead look for more long-term assistance?
What Hankins wears in his jersey the following season will mostly depend on the answer to that question.
Trent Sieg (1 season with DAL) One of the league’s most consistent long snappers from 2024 is due for free agency as
Trent Sieg will hit the market after one season with special teams coordinator John Fassel’s unit.
After building such a strong rapport with punter Bryan Anger and kicker Brandon Aubrey in 2023, it’s hard to imagine he
will be heading elsewhere next season.
Chuma Edoga (1 season with DAL) Having consistent offensive line depth is tough to find in the NFL, and Chuma Edoga
provided that early in 2023 before having a rough outing against Miami on Christmas Eve that soured a previously decent
first season in Dallas.
It’s expected that the Cowboys will attack offensive line options in the draft, but they could still bring Edoga back to compete
for a spot in training camp.
Neville Gallimore (4 seasons with DAL) The rookie deal for defensive tackle Neville Gallimore has expired, and
although he stayed mostly healthy in his four seasons and was available when needed, the lack of success in the defensive
interior is factored in when you look at Gallimore’s potential future in Dallas.
Rico Dowdle (4 seasons with DAL) Another expiring rookie deal will hit with running back Rico Dowdle, who served as
the complimentary back to Tony Pollard in 2023 and accounted for 505 total scrimmage yards and four touchdowns.
His health prior to this past season was the biggest concern – having only seven career touches prior to 2023 – but if the
Cowboys could bring him back to continue to compete for a spot next season.
Tyler Biadasz (4 seasons with DAL) The starting center for the Dallas Cowboys next season could be a whole betting
game, as Tyler Biadasz’s contract runs up on March 13 and intriguing center options sit ahead in the draft.
Additionally, a small handful of free agent names could be available as well. But when you look at what Biadasz contributed
on paper, he was a Pro Bowler in 2022 and has started in all but two games in the last three seasons.
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