3 free agents Cowboys are most at risk of losing
By John Buhler
![Mike McCarthy, Dallas Cowboys. (Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports) Mike McCarthy, Dallas Cowboys. (Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/78f57962b613bfb9b09c0afbd98aeb48b379efb953ca881605dfaccc8c8afe87.jpg)
Dallas Cowboys. 123. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Dalton Schultz. 2. player. TE
Dalton Schultz will be getting paid, but will probably not get franchise tagged
The Cowboys have plenty of tough decisions to make in free agency. One of the more interesting ones is what to do about emerging star tight end Dalton Schultz. He has gotten better every year out of Stanford, having really earned Dak Prescott’s trust as a safety valve in recent seasons. Schultz is flourishing in Kellen Moore’s offense, but the Cowboys simply cannot afford to keep him.
One solution would be to use the franchise tag on him, but Schultz is probably not going to get that type of money from the Cowboys. Dallas would have to be betting on drafting their next tight end because they are not in a position to pursue anyone in free agency until they get their cap situation in order. However, once they do that, Schultz’s return to the Cowboys is more promising.
Dallas is in a tough predicament with Schultz. The Cowboys got tremendous value out of him on his rookie contract out of Stanford, but now that the bill is due, what are they going to do? Dallas cannot afford to keep him, but can they afford to let him walk? Their best hope is to get him to agree to a multi-year, team-friendly contract so the Cowboys can push for a Super Bowl berth.
If the Cowboys had more money, this would not be difficult, as they would bringing Schultz back.