The Dallas Cowboys need to consider some offseason moves as they continue to try to acquire new talent so they can finally get over the postseason hurdle and compete for the Lombardi Trophy.
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One of the most important decisions Jerry Jones and co will have to make this offseason is whether to extend, trade or release QB Dak Prescott early to free up cap space.
Money The team is unlikely to stick with it or even allow him to continue playing on his current contract, which isn’t ideal for a variety of reasons.
Most likely, Jones signs Prescott to a team-friendly extension that would see him receive guaranteed money in the form of a signing bonus or the second half of his contract to free up salary cap space in 2024.
I’ll try to persuade you.
Prescott’s current contract is expected to have a cap hit of $59.
4 million next season, with an extension likely planned before the start of the fiscal year on March 13, 2024.
That was always the plan.
The next thing to consider is contract extensions for the Dallas Cowboys’ other two biggest stars, Micah Parsons and CeeDee Lamb.
Both players are nearing the end of their rookie contracts.
Even if they have to let go of notable players like Michael Gallup, Brandin Cooks, and even DeMarcus Lawrence, the Cowboys are finding creative ways to acquire new talent through the NFL Draft and free agency.
You’ll find it.
Dallas finished 2023 with the league’s fifth-ranked defense, but the Cowboys weren’t particularly good against runs, and defensive coordinator Dan, who is expected to take the head coaching job in 2024, Losing Quinn is almost certain.
Bleacher Report recently hinted at goals that Jerry Jones and others could realistically pursue on defense in free agency.
Dallas Cowboys prompted to target Miami Dolphins free agent DL Christian Wilkins Dallas’ defense ranked 16th in rushing yards and 15th in yards allowed per attempt.
In the aforementioned three losses to these elite teams, the Cowboys allowed an average of 193 rushing yards per game.
For comparison, the Arizona Cardinals, who have the worst run defense in the NFL, allow 143.
2 rushing yards per game.
In other words, yes.
The Cowboys have a running defense and the lack of a good run stopper is their biggest problem heading into the offseason.
They could have traded for Chiefs All-Pro Chris Jones, set to be acquired in 2024, leading to a premier DL, but there may be cheaper and more efficient options.
A recent Bleacher Report article takes a closer look at this season’s numbers and provides a viable solution for the Dallas Cowboys to significantly stop their runs, which will lead to more wins.
showed that.
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In games where the Cowboys held their opponents to under 100 yards, they were 6-1.
The Cowboys were just 6-5 in rushing games of 100 yards or more.
This includes the 143 yards Dallas allowed in the district playoff loss to Green Bay.
The Cowboys were 0-4 while allowing over 140 yards on the ground.
This is where the addition of 6-foot-4, 310-pound DT Christian Wilkins to the Miami Dolphins comes into play.
Here’s what B/R said about the Dallas Cowboys potentially targeting Wilkins this offseason.
Wilkins established himself as one of the best running back defensive linemen in the league in December, when he just turned 28 years old.
He also had a career year as a pass rusher, with nine sacks, 65 tackles for loss, and 10 tackles for loss.
“He played a big role in Miami finishing sixth in yards per carry allowed,” B/R wrote this week.
“Dallas needs to improve their run defense up front.
