FRISCO, Texas – Sometimes free agency isn't splashy. Hey, that's OK.
So far this spring, the Cowboys have signed or agreed to terms with seven new players. Five are former Pro Bowlers. Understandably, Aldon Smith and Dontari Poe and Gerald McCoy have garnered the most buzz.
But the signing period is also about filling out the depth chart with players – some new, some retained – who fit specific roles.
With the largest waves of free agency now over, here are five underrated moves the Cowboys have made in the last four weeks:
With the largest waves of free agency now over, here are five underrated moves the Cowboys have made in the last four weeks.
TE | Blake Bell: Jason Witten is the Cowboys' all-time leader in catches and receiving yards, but last season was among his best as a blocker for Ezekiel Elliott and the run game. With Witten expected to head to the Raiders, Bell could emerge as a nice complement to Blake Jarwin's vertical game. Bell is a big tight end, a good athlete and a capable blocker.
CB | Anthony Brown: Sure, Byron Jones' departure to the Dolphins leaves a sizable hole in the Cowboys' secondary. Agreeing to terms with Brown is a step in the right direction. He has 33 starts in four seasons, but he's practically been a starter throughout his young career given how much nickel the defense plays. Plus, with a reported three-year deal, Brown gives the Cowboys some long-term security at the position. At things stand now, Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis aren't signed past 2020.
LB | Joe Thomas: Obviously Sean Lee's return is big for experience and leadership. But Thomas, when healthy, also can play all three linebacker spots. There's something else. Remember the "Parcells Guys" when Bill took the Cowboys' coaching job? Richie Anderson, Terry Glenn, Keyshawn Johnson – players who understood Parcells' expectations? Thomas started for Mike McCarthy in Green Bay. He and new safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix can help explain McCarthy's style to the locker room.
CB | C.J. Goodwin: We probably don't talk about the kicking game enough, and not just field goals. Goodwin provides some corner depth, but he has emerged as one of the Cowboys' top special teams players the last two seasons. The Cowboys want more consistency from the coverage units, and Goodwin led the team with 10 tackles last year. Expected to re-sign for 2020, he can be a foundational player for new special teams coordinator John Fassel.
K | Kai Forbath: Yes, the Cowboys just gave a sizable deal to Greg Zuerlein last week. There's nothing wrong with having Forbath on the roster right now, too. Brett Maher went unchallenged in training camp last year. By December, Forbath was signed after Maher missed his 10th field goal of the season. Zuerlein is an accomplished kicker who has played for Fassel before. But there's never anything wrong with some healthy competition, if that's how this ultimately shakes out.
