The Dallas Cowboys need to add a few free agents to plug up some big holes.
The injury to Dak Prescott has thrown an already disappointing season for the Dallas Cowboys into complete disarray. With Andy Dalton concussed after some poor performances and Ben DiNucci embarrassed against the Eagles, what little chances Dallas has of winning the NFC East are reliant upon Cooper Rush and Garrett Gilbert.
The #Cowboys are seriously contemplating turning to QB Cooper Rush as their starter this week… which would require he get activated from the practice squad, source said. With Andy Dalton down with COVID, it may not be Ben DiNucci again.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 3, 2020
The 2020 season might be too far gone, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t add a few free agents that could help them during this year and, potentially, next.
These three free agents could step right in and help the Cowboys out
3. Alec Ogletree
The Cowboys defense has been an unmitigated disaster, as even players with Pro Bowl experience look like baffled rookies while the baffled rookies look like college players in the hands of Mike Nolan. The linebacking corps has to be the most disappointing area for this team, as Pro Bowlers like Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch have both regressed into below-average players this season. Neither of those players are losing a starting spot, but that doesn’t mean that adding a new face like Ogletree is the worst idea in the world considering how poor that unit has been.
While Ogletree put up some prolific tackle numbers with the Rams and Giants, his issues in coverage and overaggressive nature has caused some teams to sour on him. That’s part of the reason a linebacker-needy team like the New York Jets parted ways with him after just two games. A two-down thumper with the violent nature to fill the hole, Ogletree won’t totally turn the tide on defense, but he would certainly be a quality backup that would see time in heavier packages.
2. OT/OG Cordy Glenn
The offensive line was arguably Dallas’ strongest unit, but some really unfortunate injury luck has plenty of backups playing on that team. Tackles Tyron Smith and La’El Collins have already been ruled out for the remainder of the season, center Travis Frederick retired before the season started, and right guard Zack Martin has played through some injuries. Whoever is under center will be running for their lives behind underwhelming backups, and Glenn could help rectify that issue as soon as he signs.
Glenn was very poor in 2019, and his injury history will scare some teams off. Having said that, Glenn could offer the Cowboys experience, tackle/guard versatility, and enough brute strength to start making some big holes for Ezekiel Elliott in the running game. As he just turned 31, Glenn isn’t going to cost a ton of money to bring in. If the Cowboys manage to retain him past 2020, he could be either a high-end backup for Smith and Collins or a candidate to switch inside permanently and challenge Connor Williams at left guard.
1. SAF Earl Thomas
Thomas was released by the Baltimore Ravens after an altercation with safety Chuck Clark in practice, and he’s remained unclaimed to this day. His off-field laundry list of concerns would scare away any GM, but he is still one of the best safeties in the game, and he will get a contract offer as soon is someone is confident enough to profess they can control him or desperate enough to pick him up as a stabilizing force in the secondary. Dallas might check both of those boxes given how Xavier Woods has played this year.
Thomas is a native Texan who grew up as a Cowboys fan, and that desire to come back home has led to rumors that Jerry Jones could make a move for him as early as 2018. While this has the potential to go nuclear, especially in the middle of a very disappointing year hampered by bad coaching, bringing in Thomas would be such an on-brand move for Jerry Jones. If he comes in on a multi-year deal, Thomas could be a part of the solution as Dallas fixes their defense in the 2021 offseason.