When it comes to the Cowboys roster heading into 2021, things aren’t as fluid as they have been in years past. They certainly have several decisions to make, as 22 of their 24 free agents are still up in the air.
The biggest name of course is Dak Prescott, but at the worst, most have to assume. He’ll be franchise tag if they don’t work out a long-term agreement.
While there are moves to be considered as far as restructuring players to create cap space, here we’ll focus on four players who could end up never wearing a star on their helmet again.
This isn’t any sort of prediction for things to come, but rather a rundown of what could happen and the financial and draft ramifications of such.
Might as well rip the band-aid right off. I hope this doesn’t come to fruition, but there feels like a growing chance that Smith isn’t with the Cowboys next season. Retirement is most often the term applied for this apocalyptic shifting of the tide, as Smith has held it down for a decade now.
If Smith isn’t on Dallas’ roster in 2021, they’ll gain $5.6 million in cap space. If that comes with the addition of a draft pick one would have to think it’d be conditional at some level. Maybe a third this year and a fourth in 2023 if he plays X number of snaps in 2022.
Smith would certainly get to provide a list of teams he’d consider going to, which could mitigate compensation. And Dallas could simply say, go find your new home elsewhere big guy, we thank you for your service.
It is still amazing that the club gave him a five-year extension in 2019. Even more amazing that he could be release before playing a down on that extension. Smith has a new defensive coaching staff, so it’s more than likely that he sticks around another year at least. Stranger things have happened, though. Smith counts $9.8 million against the cap.
Seeing how the cap is likely to balloon in 2022 with a return to normalcy and the big TV deals. It makes more sense to shove that hit into the future where it will be less of an impediment to doing other business.
Jones has struggled for multiple years, and it revealed midseason he had been playing with a sports hernia UFABET.
His effort is commendable, but Dallas found a better, cheaper replacement in Hunter Niswander. Dallas will save $2 million with the move.
The Cowboys inked Amari Cooper to a five-year deal last offseason, then drafted CeeDee Lamb in the first round. Both guys have four years of team control remaining, while Gallup enters the final year of his rookie deal.
The Cowboys are a much better offense with three wide receiver stars. And they certainly need to have a third player available in case of injury. Cedrick Wilson was phased out as the year went on, so Gallup’s worth is obvious. But Dallas isn’t going to pay Gallup.