5 Moves The Cowboys Need Heading into ‘22-’23 Season
The Dallas Cowboys season came to a disappointing end in 2022 with a first-round exit vs the 49ers. Penalties, coaching, and inconsistent play ultimately ended the Cowboys Super Bowl aspirations. These were common issues the Cowboys experienced all season long.
Jayron Kearse:
The Cowboys got one of the best value contracts with Jayron Kearse this past season. His play has earned him a longer-term contract. Kearse was promoted to the play caller of the defense earlier in the season, the Cowboys defense took off and finished the season ranked number 1 in DVOA. Kearse recorded 101 combined tackles along with 2 interceptions and a sack. He served this defense as the primary man to cover TEs and lined up all over the field for the Cowboys. It would benefit the Cowboys if they signed Kearse to a 2-3 year deal.
Tony Pollard:
Pollard is one of the most explosive players in the league. The Cowboys did not utilize Tony Pollard as much as they needed to, and I believe it was one of the reasons for their unsuccessful season. Pollard rushed for a career high 719 yards on 130 attempts and was 6th in the league for rushing yards after contact per carry. The Cowboys need to promote Tony Pollard to their RB1, he is too talented to not be on the football field.
Randy Gregory:
Signing Randy Gregory for the Dallas Cowboys may be a difficult task. NFL teams will be willing to pay Gregory big time money, more than the Cowboys will want to pay him. I’m assuming his contract will be close to 10 million a year. He only had 6 total sacks on the year, but his play was very valuable in the first half of the season. If the Cowboys can sign Gregory to a long-term team friendly deal that would great for their defensive front. However, it is unlikely.
Connor Williams:
It is safe to say Connor Williams has been bad since his time in the NFL. Not only is he not very good, but he also commits a lot of penalties. I believe his replacement should not be difficult to find. At the back end of the draft Kenyon Green out of Texas A&M should be available and he is a very versatile interior lineman. The Cowboys should prioritize selecting Iowa center, Tyler Linderbaum to replace Tyler Biadasz however, Linderbaum most likely will not be available at the #24 spot.
Michael Gallup and Cedrick Wilson:
Michael Gallup unfortunately tore his ACL at the end of the 2021-2022 NFL season. It would be in the Cowboys best interest to attempt to sign Gallup to a cheap one-year deal. Since Gallup did suffer a season ending injury he may be opened to returning on a cheap deal. If not, Cedrick Wilson is a respectable replacement. Unfortunately, Cedrick Wilson is not as impressive as an outside receiver as Michael Gallup is. This would most likely cause the Cowboys to move Ceedee Lamb to the outside receiver position. This means Lamb’s play would need to improve as an outside receiver.
Hot take:
Trade Ezekiel Elliott after June 1st, take whatever draft capital you can acquire.
Pros:
Save $12.4 million from his terrible contract.
Tony Pollard finally gets the RB1 position.
Cons:
The Cowboys seem to highly value Zeke.
I do not believe teams will trade draft capital for Zeke.
Zeke can still be a great weapon in this league.
Hot Take:
Do not draft a cornerback early.
Pros:
Continue to develop Kelvin Joseph and start him at the CB #2 spot for the 2022-2023 season.
Cons:
If Kelvin Joseph does not work out, you must rely on Anthony Brown and or Jourdan Lewis. Both players are average and often play below average.