Examining the 16 Dallas Cowboys players who are set to become Free Agents

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We may know who will be coaching the Dallas Cowboys in 2024, but who is leaving and returning remains a mystery.

There are 16 pending free agents that owner Jerry Jones will need to further examine in the coming weeks.

Given how the season ended, those decisions will be challenging, especially given Jones’ idea to go all-in

Here is a look at all Cowboy free agents and who could be on the move on March 13.

Which defensive players will be free agents?

Some of the hardest decisions to make will be on the defensive side of the ball.

Trading for Stephon Gilmore proved to be a valuable short-term move, mainly because of the season-ending injury to Trevon Diggs and the emergence of DaRon Bland.

Gilmore proved he’s still an elite cover man, but with Diggs back and Bland under contract, it may be a case of too many cooks in the kitchen.

As a slot nickel, Jourdan Lewis could return with Bland and Diggs on the boundaries, proving his worth in 2023.

It’s hard to envision Lewis, Gilmore, Bland, and Diggs all being Cowboys in 2024.

Dorance Armstrong has shown consistency and reliability in the last two years, registering 7.5 sacks and 38 tackles this past season.

Jayron Kearse had an up-and-down 2023, and given the extensions of Donovan Wilson and Malik Hooker, he may be looking for a new home.

Dante Fowler was mainly a rotational player in 2023, with his lowest sack total (four) since 2020.

He had a great relationship with Dan Quinn, but with Quinn in Washington, Fowler may follow him out of town.

Noah Binoghene featured mainly in late blowout games this past season while frequently being inactive.

Jonathan Hankins’ injury was a significant loss for the Cowboys against the run as Mazi Smith underwhelmed in his rookie campaign.

Dallas being in win-now mode may keep Hankins in Big D another year, given his ability to stop the run.

Neville Gallimore has seen limited action, but has been relatively healthy in his career.

If he returns, I think it’s as an insurance policy in the interior defensive line in case Hankins isn’t 100%.

What offensive players will become free agents

On the offensive side of the ball, two pending free agents immediately jump out.

The first is Tony Pollard, who inked a franchise tag of $10.9 million deal ahead of the 2023 campaign.

While he rushed for over 1,000 yards (1,005) and six scores this season, he also had a career-low 4.0 yards-per-carry.

What they do with him will be especially interesting, considering Derrick Henry, D’Andre Swift, Austin Ekeler, Josh Jacobs, and Saquon Barkley are all pending free agents.

Tyron Smith has been stellar at the left tackle position and is a future Hall of Famer, who you’d Mike McCarthy wants back.

If he’s not back, it’s probably because the front office is worried about his injury issues and wants to save money.

Chuma Edoga is a depth guy on the offensive line and was mostly good but not great in 2023.

If anything, he may get a chance to make the team at training camp against rookies that they may draft at that position.

Tyler Biadasz is the Cowboys’ starting centre, but there are some possible free-agent options like Connor Williams.

I expect Sean McKeon to compete for a backup position at tight end, as Jake Ferguson showed he could be the full-time starter this past season.

Rico Dowdle is a complimentary running back who will likely be second in command behind either Pollard or a new high-profile runner.

What special teams’ players will be free agents

C.J. Goodwin was a special teams’ leader in 2023, providing stability, but at 34, time isn’t on his side.

Trent Sieg had a bigger role this past season than most of us may realize.

Without his precision, Bryan Anger and Brandon Aubrey may not have had such exceptional years, so it’s hard to imagine the Cowboys wanting to break up that chemistry.