Cowboys free agency: Ranking the free agent and trade additions made so far
Ranking the Cowboys’ outside additions during free agency
It’s been quite an unusually busy period for the Dallas Cowboys this early in free agency. But the Cowboys have made both a series of free agent signings as well as two trades. Let’s rank all these additions from best to worst and the reasons for each.
1. Kenneth Murray (Linebacker): Top of the list goes to the young linebacker that was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in the first round back in 2020, Kenneth Murray. The Cowboys traded a sixth-round pick with the Tennessee Titans and received their seventh-round pick in return. He had a productive season last year and finished with 97 tackles (second-most in his career), and a career high of 3.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss. His addition aims to reinforce the Cowboys’ linebacker corps following the likely departure of Eric Kendricks and preparing for a long wait for DeMarvion Overshown from injury.
Murray will best fit the WILL linebacker position where he can use his speed to flow to the ball and make plays. He could also see situational work as a blitzer, and given the attention that Micah Parsons commands this could play heavily in Murray’s favor. And all for the low price of a late-round pick swap.
2. Jack Sanborn (Linebacker): Dallas signed former Chicago Bears linebacker Jack Sanborn to a one-year deal, reuniting him with former coaches Matt Eberflus and Dave Borgonzi. Sanborn’s familiarity with the coaching staff and his defensive skills should help bolster the Cowboys’ linebacker corps and join the mix of Murray and Marist Liufau, which is very exciting. Sanborn is only 24 years old and already has 164 total tackles and 14 tackles for loss. Sanborn best fits as the prototypical MIKE linebacker where his main focus is on stopping the run and making tackles at the line. He’s a good depth piece who can contribute on early downs and on special teams.
3. Solomon Thomas (Defensive Tackle): The Cowboys needed to strengthen their defensive line and add depth, that was obvious. They did so by signing veteran defensive tackle Solomon Thomas to a two-year, $8 million contract. Thomas was the third overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, and brings experience and versatility, having played for the San Francisco 49ers, Las Vegas Raiders, and New York Jets. He’s mainly been a rotational piece rather than a starter, but the Cowboys signed Osa Odighizuwa recently who will be the key starter so a rotational piece is exactly what the team needs. In the last two seasons while being stuck on the Jets, Thomas racked up 57 tackles, nine sacks, and 12 tackles for loss.
4. Javonte Williams (Running Back): Coming in at four is a huge position of need for Dallas with the signing of Denver Broncos running back, Javonte Williams. Rico Dowdle left the franchise after a career season and gets ready to suit up for the Carolina Panthers. At the time there was only Hunter Luepke and Deuce Vaughn as the running backs on the roster. Williams put pen to paper with Dallas on a one-year, $3 million deal, with incentives. Williams had an impressive rookie season going for 903 rush yards, scoring seven total touchdowns and leading the NFL with 31 broken tackles. That was followed by a sophomore season that was cut short by a season-ending ACL injury. Since then, Williams has struggled somewhat and Dallas is hoping to find some sort of spark this far past his career injury. Expect the Cowboys to still draft a running back and do so early, likely Day 2. Williams adds depth as a backup running back as well as a placeholder if all goes wrong in the draft and Dallas miss taking a running back in a class rich of talent.
5. Kaiir Elam (Cornerback): The Dallas Cowboys traded for cornerback Kaiir Elam from the Buffalo Bills in exchange for draft picks. The Cowboys traded a fifth- and seventh-round pick, while acquiring a sixth-rounder and Elam in the trade. Elam is another former first-round pick, from the 2022 class. He brings youth and potential to Dallas’ secondary that is in need of depth with the departure of Jourdan Lewis, as well as some unknowns with Trevor Diggs’ health. His addition aims to address a critical need for the team and help bolster the position before the draft. He has a career of 73% completion rate allowed and a passer rating allowed of 92.6.
6. Robert Jones (Offensive Guard): Looking to enhance their offensive line depth, Dallas signed guard Robert Jones to a one-year, $4.75 million contract. Jones, who began his career with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2021, has accumulated 49 game appearances with 30 starts. His experience and reliability are expected to provide stability to the Cowboys’ offensive front that recently lost Zack Martin and Chuma Edoga. It’s fair to say this pick-up doesn’t stop the need for more depth on the offensive line, but it’s certainly a welcome start.
7. Payton Turner (Defensive End): Dallas agreed to a one-year deal with defensive end Payton Turner, yet another former first-round pick, this time in the 2021 class by the New Orleans Saints. Why did the Saints let go of a former first-round pick? Simply it’s been down to injuries which has hindered his development. He has yet to play a full season since joining the NFL and his injury history is quite the read. From a season-ending shoulder injury, ankle injuries and knee injuries, Turner has been on injured reserve two out of the four seasons he’s played in the NFL and missed considerable chunks of time the other two years. Turner, however, did show potential last season with two sacks, three tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles in 16 games.
7. Miles Sanders (Running back): Dallas signed running back Miles Sanders as they look to depth to the position before the draft. Sanders’ versatility as both a runner and receiver is something to think about here and he did have 11 touchdowns and rush for over 1,200 yards in 2022. The unfortunate part is in the last two years, Sanders has only managed a pedestrian 637 rush yards and scored three rushing touchdowns. The biggest bonus here is his production far outshines Vaughn’s, so expect both these players to battle for the third running back position.
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