Cowboys are smart to not close door on $127 million veteran’s return – Reid Hanson, Cowboys Wire
This would be key for a Matt Eberflus led defense.
At some point a team has to know when it’s time to move on. Veteran players who have played past their primes can bog down a roster. They can be progress stoppers to the next generation, and they can be liabilities at all the worst moments. Father Time catches up with everyone and the NFL is certainly no exception. In fact, most of the time it’s the rule.
Going on his 12th season with the Dallas Cowboys, many have assumed DeMarcus Lawrence falls into this category of player. A carryover from the Tony Romo era, Lawrence is a free agent this offseason. The 32-year-old is coming off a tough year, playing only four games, a career low. Set to hit free agency in less than two weeks time, the timing appears right for a separation.
Despite that though, the Cowboys are said to be in negotiations with Lawrence. Lawrence’s agent, David Canter, has conveyed his optimism a deal will get done and the veteran defensive end can return to the only team he’s ever suited up for. The interest in retaining Lawrence may be confusing to some, but given the size and shape of the Cowboys defense next season, it actually makes perfect sense.
This is one of the most important items on the offseason priority list for the Cowboys.
CeeDee Lamb continues to prove himself one of the best receivers in all of football, and a record-setting one, at that. But, for the Dallas Cowboys, this offseason will again be about trying to figure out who can do the most damage as the Robin to his Batman and, based upon how the 2024 season went, it’s proving a difficult task.
Jalen Tolbert and Jalen Brooks have both taken strides, as well as KaVontae Turpin, in their progression in the passing attack, and the Cowboys drafted Ryan Flournoy last April, following that by sending a fourth-round pick to the Carolina Panthers to acquire Jonathan Mingo.
There are a lot of bodies in the room, but no definitive No. 2 wideout, and it’s a question that needs answering as Brandin Cooks prepares for free agency.
Go young with the incumbents, draft another one, sign a veteran or trade for one as they did Cooks in 2023?
Decisions, decisions.
What’s Here
Brandin Cooks: Acquired via trade in 2023, following the failed prom date with Odell Beckham Jr., Cooks showed signs of what might be as that season rolled along. His encore campaign wasn’t as exciting, however, as the veteran receiver battled a knee infection that cost him a chunk of the season and, when he returned, there wasn’t a lot of action thrown his way from backup quarterback Cooper Rush. His mentorship for Lamb and Tolbert remains priceless, and he’d be one of the more reasonably priced veteran options in free agency — still.
What’s Out There:
Stefon Diggs: Ah, you knew this name was going to make the list, if only for the romance of it all. Just imagine a Cowboys’ team that fields both Stefon and Trevon Diggs in 2025 and, furthermore, consider how insane the practices would be with the two All-Pros constantly lining up against each other, driving each other to heights only a blood brother can.
The problem with this image is not only the projected cost of $13 million annually (per Spotrac) to land the elder Diggs, but the fact he, like the younger Diggs, is returning from a season-ending knee injury that makes the potential asking price a tough pill to swallow, unless he lowers that to play alongside baby brother.
He is one of the more intriguing in-house free agents in Dallas.
Name, position: Chauncey Golston, defensive end
Age, experience: 27, four years (was drafted by Dallas in 2021)
2024 contract: Was in the final year of his rookie contract, had a $1.56 million cap hit.
Market value: 3 years, $21.98 million (per Spotrac)
Summary:
Golston was one of Dallas’ most productive defenders last season. With defensive weapons like DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons battling injuries, Dallas needed some of its depth pieces at edge rusher to step up. Golston delivered, posting 56 total tackles, eight quarterback hits, 5.5 sacks, five tackles for loss and an interception. Dallas originally selected Golston with the 84th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft.
Dallas Cowboys have ‘awesome’ meeting with star NFL Draft WR prospect – Ali Jawad, Sports Illustrated
Emeka Egbuka is certainly a player to watch in the NFL draft when it comes to the Cowboys.
The Dallas Cowboys are doing their due diligence in addressing their wide receiver needs, meeting informally with Ohio State standout Emeka Egbuka at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine.
The meeting, which included Cowboys’ first-year wide receivers coach Junior Adams, appears to have left a positive impression on both sides.
“It was awesome,” Egbuka said of the meeting. The connection between Egbuka and Adams dates back to the receiver’s high school days, potentially giving Dallas an inside track on evaluating the talented prospect.
The Cowboys’ potential interest in Egbuka and other wideouts comes at a key time for the organization.
The boss is operating a little different this year.
Jerry Jones normally holds a Cowboys state of the union on his bus during the NFL scouting combine.
Not this year.
Jones was tentatively scheduled to meet with the media Friday afternoon after his arrival at the combine. But a club spokesperson said the Cowboys owner had a conflict with other commitments and meetings that had been scheduled. He won’t hold his customary session on the Cowboys bus, but is expected to be available to address the team’s offseason approach next week.
