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While Cowboys fans wait for team owner Jerry Jones to go “all-in” on a big-name free agent, Dallas might do better with a pair of lesser-known players that won’t break the bank.
LB Tyrel Dodson
After a career-high 74 tackles last season, Pro Football Focus identified Dodson as Buffalo’s most improved player while naming him to their “All-Breakout Team.” He also earned the highest grade of any linebacker in 2023.
The former undrafted free agent had just 69 tackles over his first three years but took advantage of a season-ending injury to Bills linebacker Matt Milano in Week 5. He’s a bit undersized at 6-foot and 237 pounds but plays fast with good instincts.
With the Bills already $12M over the salary cap and Milano set to return, the Bills aren’t likely to bring Dodson back. Their loss could be the Cowboys’ gain, especially at a projected cost of $3.25M for one year.
DT Grover Stewart
Mazi Smith failed to live up to his first-round status in 2023 and with Jonathan Hankins and Neville Gallimore both reaching free agency, the team could use another defensive tackle. Stewart had a career-high 70 tackles and four sacks in 2022 but served a six-game suspension in 2023 after testing positive for PEDs.
Before his suspension, Stewart hadn’t missed a game since 2018, playing in 84 straight contests. At 6-foot-4 and 314 pounds, the seven-year veteran is a force in the middle that often sees double teams. According to PFF, Indianapolis ranked in the top half of the NFL in expected points allowed per rush with Stewart on the field and last in games without him.
While Stewart is less known than other free agent tackles like Baltimore’s Justin Madubuike and Miami’s Christian Wilkins, his projected $11M per year value is less than half the cost of his more famous counterparts.
With players like CeeDee Lamb, Dak Prescott and Micah Parsons due to become free agents in 2025, that last part is especially important.
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