Dallas Cowboys Free Agents 2023
The Dallas Cowboys finished the 2022 season 12-5 before losing to the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round 19-12. NFL free agency and the draft are up next as Dallas tries to figure out how to take the next step. Here’s what you need to know about Dallas Cowboys free agents for 2023.
2023 Free Agents Overview for the Cowboys
The Cowboys find themselves with needs at guard, defensive tackle, and linebacker heading into free agency. Also, there will be talk surrounding running back Tony Pollard. Will he re-sign with the team and what about Ezekiel Elliott? Elliott doesn’t have any guaranteed money left on his contract.
Other key free agents include tight end Dalton Schultz and linebacker Leighton Vander Esch. The Cowboys might consider the franchise tag for players like Schultz or Pollard. Both seem unlikely. Teams aren’t usually willing to use the franchise tag on a tight end. Also, running back Tony Pollard is coming off a fractured fibular vs the 49ers in the playoffs.
Pressure is mounting on quarterback Dak Prescott after signing his four-year deal with $160 million. Backup quarterback Cooper Rush is entering the market. Last year, Rush played in 9 games and was 4-1 as a starter during the regular season.
Unrestricted Free Agents
An unrestricted free agent is a player with four or more years of experience in the NFL whose contract has expired. They are free to negotiate with any team without restrictions and can sign with any club with no draft-choice compensation. Here are the expected unrestricted 2023 NFL free agents for the Cowboys.
Quarterbacks
Cooper Rush
Running Backs
Tony Pollard – RB
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
Noah Brown – WR
TY Hilton – WR
Dalton Schultz – TE
Centers, Guards, and Tackles
Connor McGovern – C
Jason Peters – LT
Defensive tackles, Defensive Ends, Edge Rushers
Dante Fowler Jr. – DE
Jonathan Hankins – DT
Carlos Watkins – DE
Linebackers
Anthony Barr – OLB
Luke Gifford – LB
Leighton Vander Esch – LB
Cornerbacks and Safeties
Anthony Brown – CB
CJ Goodwin – CB
Donovan Wilson – S
Specialty
Brett Maher – K
Jack McQuaide – LS
Matt Overton – LS
Restricted Free Agents
A restricted free agent is a player who has an expiring contract and has completed three or fewer accrued seasons. However, teams can place a tender on the player, which gives them the right to match any offer the player receives from another team. The team receives draft compensation if the player signs elsewhere. Here are the restricted free agents for the Cowboys.
Terrence Steele – T
Rico Dowdle – RB
Salary Cap and Roster
In 2023, the NFL salary cap is $224.8 million, which represents a nearly $20 million increase from the previous year’s cap. Also, it remains to be seen whether the extra cap space will result in higher salaries for free agents or if teams will use it to sign more players.
The team is going to have to make some moves in the offseason to clear cap space. It’s a crucial offseason after getting knocked out of the postseason before the NFC Championship game.
Quarterback Dak Prescott is a $49.1 million cap hit next season. DeMarcus Lawrence is $26 million. Also, the Cowboys have the 26th pick in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Dallas Cowboys Free Agency 2023 FAQs
NFL free agency is set to start at 4 p.m. eastern on March 15, 2023, marking the beginning of the new league year and the expiration of all player contracts.
An unrestricted free agent is a player whose contract has expired, and they have no ties to their former team. Starting on March 15, they are free to negotiate with any team in the league without restrictions.
A restricted free agent can be extended what is called a qualifying offer. If offered, they are still allowed to negotiate with other teams around the league. Their current team is allowed to match any offer.
