The opening of the new league year and the beginning of free agency is less than a week away on March 12, as the biggest roster construction period of the year will take place for all 32 NFL teams.
For the Cowboys, there’s an expectation that they will remain quiet in pursuing outside free agents after owner and general manager Jerry Jones said on Wednesday that he doesn’t see “free agency as a place to fill voids” on the roster.
Pair that with executive vice president Stephen Jones saying that he expects the team to be “selectively aggressive” and your head can start to spin on what exactly Dallas is planning to do. Regardless, head coach Brian Schottenheimer said during his availability at the NFL Scouting Combine that the primary focus for the Cowboys heading into free agency is retaining the impending free agents already in Dallas.
“We’re going to make it tough to let those guys leave,” Schottenheimer said.
With that in mind, let’s predict what will happen with each of the Cowboys’ 24 free agents when the new league year opens next week.
Already Signed
DT Osa Odighizuwa, OL Brock Hoffman, S Juanyeh Thomas, DE Tyrus Wheat, CB C.J. Goodwin
The Cowboys have already locked in five players for the 2025 season, including the massive four-year, $80 million extension for defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa that was signed on Tuesday.
Shortly after making that move, the Cowboys locked in their special teams ace, C.J. Goodwin, on a one-year deal, and locked in all three exclusive rights free agents in Brock Hoffman, Juanyeh Thomas and Tyrus Wheat.
Predicted Returners
CB Jourdan Lewis, WR KaVontae Turpin (RFA), DE Carl Lawson, LB Nick Vigil, S Markquese Bell (RFA), CB Israel Mukuamu, LS Trent Sieg, P Bryan Anger, OL Chuma Edoga, CB Amani Oruwariye
For Jourdan Lewis, the two sides have already met about a potential return to Dallas, although an official offer has not been made. If Lewis tests the market, there could be interest from other teams. However, Dallas considers Lewis a priority, specifically in Matt Eberflus’ defense that expects to run a nickel set on defense the majority of the time.
The Cowboys are planning on using a second-round tender on return specialist and slot wide receiver KaVontae Turpin to keep him in Dallas. A restricted free agent, Turpin would make $5.346 million in 2025 in Dallas if another team does not exceed that asking price. If that does happen, that team would also have to pay Dallas a second-round draft pick.
New defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton and defensive end Carl Lawson have experience with each other from their time with the Jets. And when that’s paired with Lawson’s strong desire to stay in Dallas after a solid 2024 campaign, it makes sense for the veteran to make a return, even if it comes at a cheap price.
Veteran Nick Vigil emerged as a reliable special teams player in 2024 despite being brought on with the idea of playing a role in Mike Zimmer’s defense. Defensive backs Markquese Bell and Israel Mukuamu have shown enough on special teams and in replacement efforts on defense to be retained.
Predicted Departures
DE DeMarcus Lawrence, DE Chauncey Golston, QB Trey Lance, QB Cooper Rush, RB Rico Dowdle, WR Brandin Cooks, LB Eric Kendricks, DT Linval Joseph, DT Carlos Watkins
At the end of the day, the price for DeMarcus Lawrence and the rising youth at the defensive end position in Dallas could very well lead to his departure. While he did express his love for Dallas in an exclusive with the Star-Telegram last week, he also did mention that there is a number for the Cowboys to meet. I don’t expect that number to be met.
Chauncey Golston could command a price tag close to $8 million in free agency. After a breakout 2024 season that saw him tally a career-high 5.5 sacks and 56 tackles, he could be on the hunt for a starting job. The expectation is that Dallas won’t have one available for him with the return of Sam Williams and the development of Marshawn Kneeland.
Backup quarterback Cooper Rush is going to be a close one. After a 2024 season that saw him fill in for an injured Dak Prescott and find some success, his market could command a salary as high as $5 million. Stephen Jones even indicated on Wednesday that the team might not be able to work Rush into their financial plans, but Dallas has been the only NFL system he has found playing time in. Seven seasons in and entering his age-32 season, is a move to another franchise as realistic as it could have been a few years back? Maybe so, but one has to also wonder how things played out in the final game where Rush could have earned a playing incentive, but was benched in favor of Trey Lance.
While the Trey Lance experiment drew headlines and had fans asking why he was acquired in exchange for a fourth-round pick, that journey looks to be coming to an end in Dallas. Stephen Jones said at the combine that the team is ready to look at another young quarterback development project, signaling that Lance’s time with the Cowboys could be over.
After a strong finish to the 2024 season, Rico Dowdle is a sneaky starter option on the NFL free agent market. As a result, his price could rise as high as $7 million per year with a running back-needy franchise. Dallas is expected to use a premium draft pick on a running back, and they will need to do so whether Dowdle is back in the fold or not. Dowdle may look for a job that won’t require as much competition, especially for that price tag.
While veterans such as wide receiver Brandin Cooks, linebacker Eric Kendricks and defensive tackle Linval Joseph served strong purposes during their time in Dallas, a staff turnover and expiring contracts could lead to their departures. Dallas will look for a more healthy, youthful option to complement CeeDee Lamb at receiver and the defensive tackle draft class is strong enough for Dallas to find a solid rotational player in the later rounds. For Kendricks, price and desire could play a big role in his potential return or departure.