Although NFL free agency started more than a month ago, the Dallas Cowboys apparently aren’t finished. In a recent interview with 105.3 The FAN in Dallas, executive vice president Stephen Jones offered an update on where the team stands.
“We’re not done yet in free agency,” Jones said. “We feel like we can go into the draft pure and take the best players on our board.”
The Cowboys have already added a few new faces for 2022, including the third overall pick from 2015 in defensive end Dante Fowler. A Florida alumnus, Fowler has struggled with injuries and off-field issues throughout his career. His best season as a pro came in 2019 with the Los Angeles Rams when he finished with 58 tackles (16 for loss), 11.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. By joining the the Cowboys, Fowler will reunite with defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, whom he previously played under both in college and with the Atlanta Falcons.
Besides Fowler, the Dallas Cowboys also signed former Steelers receiver James Washington and Chicago Bears running back Ryan Nall through free agency. A former Biletnikoff Award winner at Oklahoma State, Washington is set to enter his fifth NFL season in 2022. He mostly played a backup role while in Pittsburgh, and last season finished with 285 yards receiving and two touchdowns on 24 catches.
Dallas also re-signed some of its key contributors from 2021. Wide receiver Michael Gallup was the biggest beneficiary from this, inking a new five-year contract worth up to $62.5 million with incentives. The Cowboys also used the franchise tag on tight end Dalton Schultz and brought back key defensive players in safeties Jayron Kearse and Malik Hooker.
Coming off of a 12-5 finish in 2021, Dallas once again has hopes of competing for a Super Bowl next season. They have not made it past the divisional round of the postseason since 1995, the last year they won the championship.
Other than free agency, the Cowboys will also have the opportunity to add talent through the NFL Draft, which is scheduled to begin April 28 in Las Vegas. Dallas currently hold the No. 24, No. 56, No. 88 and No. 129 picks. Additionally, they have four fifth round selections, one of which was acquired from the Cleveland Browns in a trade for Amari Cooper this offseason.
