Leave it to Jerry Jones really put a damper on a surprisingly proactive start to the Dallas Cowboys' offseason. Not only was Osa Odighizuwa extended, but they freed up nearly $60 million in cap space by restructuring Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb and retained multiple restricted free agents.
Stephen Jones wants the team to be selectively aggressive. Jerry, though, does not view free agency as a void filler. He wants to accomplish that in the draft.
While Jones' remarks should temper expectations, it's not beneath him to posture to the media. Beyond that, the Cowboys have far too many holes on the roster to not sign at least a few free agents, however inexpensive.
It wouldn't surprise if the Joneses shop in the cap casualty market, which adds an infantry seemingly every couple of hours before the new league year. Longtime Chargers pass rusher and five-time Pro Bowler Joey Bosa is one example of a released player Dallas may pursue.
Another potential target just fell into the team's lap courtesy of Dan Quinn.
Cowboys should pursue DT Jonathan Allen after Commanders release
Dallas should be one of Allen's first calls after the team's former defensive coordinator cut him loose this offseason.
A torn pectoral muscle cost Allen nine games season, but he recovered in time to play the final two regular-season games and three playoff games. With a clean bill of health, Allen will be ready to hit the ground running with his next team.
A two-time Pro Bowler, Allen is not a stout run defender. Getting after the quarterback is his bread and butter. He has 42 sacks, 60 tackles for loss and 118 QB hits in 108 career starts. In his last full season (2023), he notched 5.5 sacks, 19 QB hits, 49 pressures and a 77.6 PFF pass-rush grade.
Odighizuwa has the starting three-tech starting spot on lock and key, but the Cowboys' defensive tackle room is barren outside of Odighizuwa and Mazi Smith, who projects as the starting nose tackle next to the newly-minted $80 million player.
2024 seventh-round pick Justin Rogers is the only other DT on the roster. Rogers didn't play one snap as a rookie, so the DT room needs a huge lift.
Not just via the draft, either. The front office needs to go out and bring in someone with experience. If they target a pass-rusher like Allen, they can focus on a run-stuffer in the draft. It doesn't have to be Allen, but he would be a quality pickup for Matt Eberflus.
