With the 2024 NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, the Cowboys’ roster needs a few more external additions to compete next season.
This draft class helped patch up what Dallas lost in free agency.
However, it would be naive to say the roster is ready to compete for a Super Bowl, they still have less talent than last season, and those guys couldn’t get past the Wild Card round.
The Cowboys have fixed up the offensive line with rookies Tyler Guyton, Cooper Beebe, and Nathan Thomas.
But they failed to draft a running back, they lack a true WR3, and defensive tackle is a mess.
Dallas must shift focus to free agents and cheap veteran trade targets to fill those holes if they want to win in 2024.
It seems the front office knows this and is already looking at options.
Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones said the team is actively working on signing veteran players immediately after the draft, not just undrafted rookie free agents.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) April 27, 2024
During last night’s post-draft press conference, Stephen Jones remarked that the Cowboys are already working on signing veteran players, not just undrafted free agents.
Now, we should be careful before getting our hopes up that they will trade/sign new faces.
We’ve heard the “working on signing free agents” story before.
As long as they are making that claim, however, we should at least be familiar with the potential options they could be looking at.
With that in mind, let’s look at three players the Cowboys roster could use heading into 2024.
Free Agent RB Ezekiel Elliott
Let’s get the obvious out of the way.
It seems the Cowboys are very interested in a reunion with the team’s 3rd-all-time leading rusher, Ezekiel Elliott.
This possibility has been floated by the front office since the summer of last year, but it seems very real this time around.
Jerry Jones said the interest in Ezekiel Elliott is real. He knows he is going to play somewhere next season and believed he played really well late in the season for the Patriots.
Jones said Elliott counting $6 million in dead money on the Cowboys cap will have no factor. It's…— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) April 26, 2024
As much as it is a typical Cowboys move, it is not just about good feelings here.
There is some legitimate sense in signing Elliott, especially after failing to draft a running back.
Back in March, I wrote about this possibility for the same reasons I will this time.
Elliott would immediately be the best blocker, pass-catcher, and mentor in the Cowboys running back room.
In his lone season with the Patriots, he reeled in 51 catches.
If you don’t think the Cowboys could use that reliable reception option in the backfield, you’re wrong.
Elliott would also bring experience, familiarity, and chemistry with the offense.
Dallas desperately needs a running back, and like it or not, Elliott does bring abilities that the Cowboys need heading into the season.
Should they rely on him to be an All-Pro? Of course not.
But that does not mean he can’t positively contribute on offense.
Free Agent WR Hunter Renfrow
If Dallas is going to bring back Elliott, why not really try to recreate the old days with a Cole Beasley-esque slot receiver signing?
The Cowboys wide receiver room, outside of CeeDee Lamb, is weak.
Veteran Brandin Cooks is a solid WR2, but he is now headed into his 30s and is coming off back-to-back seasons under 700 receiving yards.
Outside of him, you’re looking at a mixture of Jalen Tolbert, Jalen Brooks, and rookie Ryan Flournoy from Southeast Missouri State.
They need somebody with more proven ability than that.
After being released from the Raiders earlier this off-season, former Pro Bowler Hunter Renfrow is on the market and can provide that proven ability.
Hunter Renfrow evading defender after defender
📺: #LVvsMIA on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/jckqnJwdb2 pic.twitter.com/9jKCRJYSuk— NFL (@NFL) November 19, 2023
He could fit perfectly into the slot when needed.
It would give Dallas a reliable, strong route-runner with consistent hands, as well as the offensive versatility to mix the young guys in on the outside with Cooks in at the slot over Renfrow.
He would be a cheap safety blanket for Dak Prescott, while also not blocking the way for the younger guys to get on the field.
Texans RB Dameon Pierce
This may be a surprise option to you, but it is a lot more realistic than it sounds.
There’s been much talk about free agents, and rightfully so, but it seems that is not the only route that the front office is looking at.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones talking about their roster building going forward, mentioned the possibility of trading for veteran players. “This thing is a long way from being over.” pic.twitter.com/PRG3RcqnVD
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) April 27, 2024
In the press conference last night, Owner and General Manager Jerry Jones also mentioned trading for veteran players as a way to improve the Cowboys roster.
This would be a major boost if they actually followed through on their words.
Last off-season, we saw Dallas trade for veterans Stephon Gilmore and Cooks, and it paid dividends.
Heading into the 2024 season, the Cowboys could really use additions like that again.
One of the most realistic trade options if they went that way is Texans RB Dameon Pierce.
Just a season ago, Pierce finished with nearly 1,000 rushing yards in his rookie season, finishing in the top 10 in OROTY voting.
Dameon Pierce breakout game 😤 pic.twitter.com/J8l29sidWH
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) October 4, 2022
Two years later, he has been replaced on the depth chart by former Bengal, Joe Mixon.
Pierce presents more value to the Texans as a trade candidate than he does as a backup running back.
With that in mind, it is a no-brainer for Dallas to at least call and see what they want for him.
He would immediately become the best running back on the roster, and he could even be a long-term option considering his young age.
The Cowboys’ roster needs these additions if they want to present a competitive roster to the fans in 2024.
Now, it is up to them to walk the walk and make the moves.
