Blogging The Boys
Here is what the Cowboys roster could look like this year if they did literally nothing in free agency (which is normal).
We’re just a few weeks away from the scouting combine, about three months from the draft, and will see plenty of free agency action in between. As the Dallas Cowboys prepare for this critical offseason, and we along with them, it’s a good time to take stock of what the team’s carrying into 2025 with its existing contracts.
Even a quick glance at Dallas’ scheduled free agents this year might incite panic. First, you have several starters with Zack Martin, DeMarcus Lawrence, Osa Odighizuwa, Brandin Cooks, Eric Kendricks, and Rico Dowdle. They’re joined by other key role players like Jourdan Lewis, KaVontae Turpin, Cooper Rush, Chauncey Golston, Carl Lawson, and Chuma Edoga. Throw in specialists Bryan Anger and Trent Sieg, not to mention plenty of other depth guys, and this potential exodus of talent would decimate the Cowboys’ roster.
Obviously, some players will automatically get re-signed or replaced. Dallas won’t go into next season without a punter or long snapper. But at the offensive and defensive spots, the question is how much they can afford to trust talent already under contract versus using free agency, the draft, or trades to either fill holes and improve positions in 2025.
To that end, let’s see what sort of 53-man roster we can build using only players currently signed for next season.
Concern Level: Medium
Prescott’s worth as the starter is one of the most debated topics in football, but that’s for another article. When it comes to filling out this 2025 roster, he’s locked in this year and probably 2026 before you could reasonably get out from under that contract.
The concern here is at the backup spot. Cooper Rush and Trey Lance are both free agents, leaving Grier as the only other passer currently signed. Is he a guy who can come in and win nine out of 14 starts like Rush has? With only two starts to his name back in 2019 with the Panthers, Grier hasn’t shown enough to be relied upon.
Concern Level: High
If you thought last year was rough, going into next season with this crew would be disastrous. The Cowboys certainly won’t do that, likely targeting RB early in this year’s draft and perhaps re-signing Rico Dowdle as well. Luepke is fine as your fullback and Vaughn could be interesting in the new Schottenheimer-Adams offense, but you don’t want them being more than piecemeal players.
Ryan Flournoy, Jonathan Mingo, Jalen Cropper
Concern Level: High
Dallas needs a true number-two receiver to help open up the passing game. Frankly, they haven’t had one in three years. While Brandin Cooks did respectable work in his two seasons, he was never a great fit with Mike McCarthy and not capable of...
