NFL Analysis Network

3 Free Agents The Dallas Cowboys Should Target This Offseason

The Dallas Cowboys had a solid bounce-back season in 2021 after a disastrous first season for Mike McCarthy as head coach in 2020. The team went 12-5 and won the NFC East going away, finishing three games ahead of the Philadelphia Eagles, who earned a Wild Card spot.

Unfortunately, things didn’t go well in the postseason. The Cowboys were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers on Wild Card Weekend at AT&T Stadium, cutting their season short earlier than anyone in the building thought that it would be.

If the Cowboys want to replicate their regular-season success and advance further in the playoffs next season, they will have some work to do this offseason. They have several players that are hitting free agency and being over the salary cap means they will have to make some tough decisions with veterans already locked into deals.

With needs on both sides of the ball, where could Dallas look to improve in free agency? Here are three players Dallas can target this offseason.

3. OG Andrew Norwell

The Cowboys could be in the market for some help on the interior of their offensive line this offseason. Connor Williams, who has pretty much started from Day 1 after being selected in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft, is a free agent and could move on if he is presented with a sizable offer.

Dallas has two elite anchors of their offensive line in Tyron Smith at left tackle and Zack Martin at right guard. La’el Collins, when healthy, is solid at right tackle as well. They help compensate for underwhelming play at the center spot, but Williams was key in that process.

If he moves on, the team needs a capable replacement to step into the starting lineup. Andrew Norwell would be a good player to step into a spot on the starting unit.

Norwell is a consistent performer with eight consecutive seasons with an overall grade of at least 65 and a pass-blocking grade north of 70. He has faded at the end of seasons recently, but still presents a solid addition for any team looking for help at left guard.

2. LB Anthony Barr

The linebacker position could look a lot different for the Dallas Cowboys in 2022. They moved on from long-time starter Jaylon Smith during the 2021 season and more familiar faces could be on the move this offseason.

Leighton Vander Esch and Keanu Neal are both hitting free agency, leaving little behind breakout star, 2021 first-round pick Micah Parsons and 2021 fourth-round pick Jabril Cox. Needing another versatile player at the second level of their defense, Anthony Barr presents an intriguing option.

When healthy, Barr has proven to be a good player. You know what you are going to get from him when he is on the field, as he is a steady producer. He isn’t the best in pass coverage, but he would provide Dallas with another linebacker that can play sideline-to-sideline and get after the quarterback as a pass rusher.

1. EDGE Von Miller

The Cowboys could have a major hole in their pass rush if Randy Gregory decides to depart in free agency. If that occurs, the team could place a call to Von Miller to see if he wants to finally return to his hometown team.

Miller is still a viable three-down player, helping lead the Los Angeles Rams to a victory in Super Bowl 56. He has had some injury concerns in recent seasons and is on the wrong side of 30, but he has proven that when he is on the field, he is more than capable of getting the job done. His grade of 88.7 shows just how good he was in 2021.

The homecoming angle is one that the Cowboys could play up and use to their advantage as they could use a player of Miller’s caliber. Dallas would have a daunting pass rush bringing in Miller to join Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence and a possibly returning Gregory.

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