This is The Gridiron Review’s Dallas Cowboys 2023 Offseason Team Breakdown. We provide you with all things you need to know about the Cowboys heading into FA and the draft. We also provide our thoughts on the needs of the team and how we think they can be addressed!
Dallas Cowboys 2022 Record: 12-5
Dallas Cowboys Salary Cap(According to Spotrac): $-11,049,916
Notable Free Agents(According to Spotrac):
- Cooper Rush, QB
- Noah Brown, WR
- TY Hilton, WR
- Dalton Schultz, TE
- Jason Peters, OL
- Connor McGovern, OL
- Dante Fowler Jr., DL
- Jonathan Hankins, DL
- Leighton Vander Esch, LB
- Anthony Barr, LB
- Anthony Brown, CB
- Donovan Wilson, S
Team Needs: RB, WR(Primarily Depth), OL(Depth), DT, LB, CB, S
3 Free Agent Targets(In No Order):
- Marvin Jones Jr., WR
- Dre’Mont Jones, DL
- Bobby Wagner, LB
Dallas Cowboys First Round Pick(s): Pick 26
3 Draft Prospect Fits/Targets:
- Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
- Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
- Ronnie Hickman, S, Ohio State
Our Cowboys Ideal Offseason Plans/Thoughts:
- The Cowboys aren’t over the cap nearly as much as you would think. They do have a lot of key players set to hit free agency; however, the core of the team seems to be staying intact. Some depth in certain positions could be addressed though.
- The Cowboys RB room is decent, but they need to make changes. First off, cut/trade Zeke. He’s not anywhere near the player he used to be. The only reason why he looked good this year is because Pollard took the load off his hands. Pollard did the heavy lifting and ball moving while Zeke stole TD after TD away from him. It is an awful contract, cut your losses and move on. It should provide some cap relief, and create money for the man who deserves the contract, Tony Pollard. Pollard is explosive and brings life to the Cowboys offense.
- The Cowboys have a pretty good WR room. They have Gallup and Lamb who are a solid 1-2, as well as Turpin. They also have Jalen Tolbert although his year one impact was non-existent. It’s possible Tolbert could take over WR3/4 duties, but they should bring someone in to compete who can also be a quality reserve. Marvin Jones Jr. would be a really good fit in Dallas. He’s an established veteran and presence on the outside with reliable hands.
- The Cowboys have lacked a real presence at DT for a few years now. Hankins was an okay veteran piece, but it’s time for the Cowboys to find “the guy” who can be a difference maker. Odighizuwa has been okay since coming into the league, but Gallimore hasn’t made an impact. Dre’Mont Jones could be a really good interior piece with positional flexibility if they can afford him.
- The Cowboys LB room is about to need some help as both Vander Esch and Barr are set to become free agents. Both guys are coming off pretty good 2022 campaigns. It sounds like Vander Esch and the Cowboys are far apart in contract talks, and could lose him. It’s hard to tell whether Barr is going to get re-signed or not. They got a steal in the 5th round of last year’s draft in Damone Clark due to a medical issue. Jabril Cox doesn’t seem to have developed at all, and they also have Devin Harper from last year’s draft. It’s unknown whether Dallas would be able to afford him, but a Dan Quinn/Bobby Wagner reunion could be in the cards. If they decide to go young, Clemson’s Trenton Simpson is coming off a good combine and could be an option for the Cowboys.
- The Cowboys are finally shedding the dead weight in their CB room as Anthony Brown is set to become a free agent. 2022 5th rounder DaRon Bland played pretty well in his rookie campaign. Unfortunately 2021 2nd and 3rd round picks Kelvin Joseph and Nashon Wright have not lived up to expectations. The Cowboys are in need of another starting CB across from Diggs. Jerry has time and time again ignored the position, and it’s hard to imagine anything will change this year. However, if he does decide to take a CB in the first, Georgia’s Kelee Ringo could absolutely be an option here. Dan Quinn was the DC in Seattle during the Legion of Boom years that had CBs like Sherman, Browning, Maxwell, etc. Quinn could absolutely help develop Ringo and will put him in a position to be successful.
- The Cowboys safety room actually isn’t in that bad of shape despite Donovan Wilson set to hit FA. Kearse has played well, they still have Malik Hooker, as well as 2021 6th rounder Israel Mukuamu, and 2022 UDFA and training camp standout Markquese Bell. We could see Hooker or Bell emerge as the new FS, but they could also draft Wilson’s replacement. Ohio State’s Ronnie Hickman would be a great fit in Dallas. Hickman isn’t a first round prospect, but is one that we consider to be a mid round gem. He could use a year or so to develop in a couple aspects of his game, but could absolutely be a plus starter when the time is right.