The Cowboys are in the middle of one the NFL's trickiest offseasons. Dallas, coming off a disappointing 8-8 non-playoff season, has some big personnel concerns to addre s to answer should the team hope to return to real contention.
Sporting News takes a deep Blake Bortles Jersey dive into the Cowboys' to-do list from before NFL free agency through the 2020 NFL Draft.
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The referenced media source is mi sing and needs to be re-embedded.Cowboys' top priority: Sign Dak PrescottDepending on what report you hear, Prescott and the Cowboys are either somewhat close tocoming together on an agreeable new long-term deal that will keep him from becomingan unrestricted free agent or both sides are somewhat far apart. There's no doubt Prescott should be pushing to be the new highest-paid QB in the NFL in terms of average annual salary, or at least matching what the Seahawks gave Ru sell Wilson ($35 million a season, $70 million of $140 million over four years guaranteed at signing).
That would best what Prescott's high first-round NFL draftmates from 2016, Jared Goff (Rams) and Carson Wentz (Eagles) got in terms of total value last summer. Prescott, similar toWilson, has been well underpaid in arrears as a non first-rounder. Given Chiefs Super Bowl MVPPatrick Mahomes is about to reset Nolan Cromwell Jersey the market with his deal, Prescott also needs to maximize his value.
With each pa sing day, there's a greater chance Prescottwill be franchise-tagged with an exclusive designation. The first day for the Cowboys to do that is Feb. 25, and the deadline to tag him is March 10. In that scenario, Prescott would be set tomake more than $33 million (in the Goff and Wentz range) on a fully guaranteed one-year deal should he sign the tender.
The Cowboys are willing to lock up Prescott and have created the money under the cap to do so. The concern lies in both paying him and taking care of other Ethan Westbrooks Jersey key pending free agents to their Van Jefferson Jersey satisfaction. Ideally, Dallas can take care of Prescott long-term before needing to tag him, giving the teamthe flexibility to use the tag on another pending free agent (such as wide receiver Amari Cooper).
Jerry Jones hired Mike McCarthy as head coach and Kellen Moore was retained as offensive coordinator with Prescott in mind most. He's not going anywhere, however the Cowboys get it done with their quarterback.
NFL MOCK DRAFT 2020:
The referenced media source is mi sing and needs to be re-embedded.Cowboys free agents 2020Here's a look at the Dallas Cowboys' key unrestricted, unsigned players for next season:
QB Dak PrescottWR Amari CooperWR Randall CobbWR Tavon AustinTE Jason WittenG Xavier Su'a-FiloDE Robert QuinnDE Michael BennettDT Maliek CollinsDT Christian CovingtonOLB Sean LeeILB Joe ThomasCB Byron JonesCB Anthony BrownS Jeff HeathAmari Cooper is the clear No. 2 priority behind Prescott, because when you invest greatly in a quarterback, it makes sense to keep the go-go guy around. Cooper islooking at $18 million a season (which is also the projected franchise-tag value for wide receiver). Look for Jones to come through and makesure his triplets stayintact after rewarding running back Ezekiel Elliott first early last season.
Randall Cobb is interestedin coming back Aqib Talib Jersey to man slot receiver with McCarthy,his former Packers coach, in town. Austin is unlikely to return as a limited gadget player. Witten wants to continue playing, but is open to doing it elsewhere, maybe with Jason Garrett's Giants offense.
Jerry Jones would love to keep the coverage skills of Byron Jones, but the cornerback willtest a good market for his versatile services. He won't get a top-end contract from the Cowboys once the deals for Prescott and Cooper are done and will find a new home at around $15 million a season. Robert Quinn, Michael Bennett and Maliek Collins are also all expected to depart, causing a big shakeup on a defensive line that's also in a scheme transition.
With limited means under Deacon Jones Jersey the cap, the Cowboys will need to be judicious with spending on their own guys after Prescott and Cooper. Cobb's value also is attached to them and he'll Marcus Peters Jersey be a relative bargain. The Cowboys want to leave a little room to get some preferred veteranoutside help for their new coach.
Dallas Cowboys salary capThe Cowboys have more than $75 millionin salary cap space available, but that number will shrink quickly to below $30 million once Prescott and Cooper get on the books with their deals. Should Cobb return on the cheap, there will be room to pursue 2-4 middle-tier free agentsto either addre s current areas of need or help replace those who leave.
Biggest team needs
A suming Prescott, Cooper and Cobb stay, there won't be a concern on how to fill quarterback and wide receiver via trades and other free-agent moves. But Torry Holt Jersey beyond those skill positions and running back with Elliott, the Cowboys have varying degrees of need acro s the board:
Defensive end:With the aging Quinn and Bennett on the way out, Dallas will need to boost its complementary edge pa s-rush presence opposite Demarcus Lawrence. The team was No. 19 in the NFL with 39 sacks last season.
Defensive tackle:Considering Bennett did slide inside to be part of the rotation here and Collins is set to hit the market, the only reliable regular the Cowboys have in the plans for 2020 is restricted free agent Antwaun Woods. They need big bodies to keep the run defense strength intact and also could some inside pa s-rush juice.
Safety: Jeff Heath is unlikely to be re-signed, too, entering his age 29 season coming off shoulder surgery. He's a well-documented liability in coverage and the team could use a more well-rounded player at the position next to active playmaker Xavier Woods.
Cornerback:With Jones out of the mix, Chidobe Awuzie will Eric Weddle Jersey be the Cowboys' top corner. That might prompt them to keep the versatile Brown for depth, knowing Jourdan Lewis has also offers promise at the position. At worst, the Cowboys should look for asub package player.
Linebacker:Lee wants to keep playing for the Cowboys and even with his age (33) and Eric Dickerson Jersey diminished skills, he might be a nece sity to continue to flank Leighton Vander Esch and Jaylen Smith on the strong side. If they keep Thomas, he would better off remaining a swing backup.
Tight end:Witten did un-retire in 2019 to pretty much duplicate what he did in 2017 for the Cowboys as a very limited po se sion receiver. The Cowboys need someone who can better complement the occasional big-play threat of Blake Jarwin in the pa sing game with adeptred zone work.
Offens
