Troy Smith
The Dallas Cowboys are once again home for the Super Bowl. It has been 27 years since the Cowboys have made it to the big game. As fans continue to struggle through decades of losing seasons, we wonder what, if anything, will pull the Cowboys across the finish line.
Videos by Rare
Following a disspointing 2022 season that ended in bitter defeat, many fans are calling for serious change. Here are 10 moves the Dallas Cowboys can make to have a serious chance at winning Super Bowl 58 in 2023.
10. Let DE Sam Williams Play
The Cowboys had a strong rotation of defensive lineman this season. They were some of the most effective rushers in the NFL. Some of those rushers are scheduled to hit free agency in just a few months.
Most notably defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. The Cowboys need not chase Fowler, nor give up their valuable salary cap for his services. Sam Williams, on a Second Round rookie contract, will make more than enough of a replacement.
In a limited role in 2022, Williams forced one fumble and recovered three. With Fowler gone, the Cowboys should not chase a big name at the position. Let Williams play.
9. Draft Darnell Washington TE From Georgia, Let Dalton Schultz Go
After playing all of 2022 on a very expensive franchise tag, Cowboys TE Dalton Schultz is set to hit free agency. Taking a step back in 2022, mostly due to injury, the Cowboys should be looking to move on.
Drafting a 6’7 269 pound Tight End from the Georgia Bulldogs would surely help bolster the position. The Cowboys are in desperate need of a playmaker at the position who is also an effective blocker… A role they have struggled to fill since the departure and retirement of legendary TE Jason Witten.
8. Sign Veteran CB In The Offseason
There was no position where the Cowboys struggled more with injuries in 2022 than at cornerback. Anthony Brown, Cowboys CB who played extremely well in the first few games of the season, suffered a season-ending injury. This left the Cowboys without veteran experience.
Rookie Daron Bland stepped up, but as an undersized CB, his role would be best suited in the slot. The Cowboys are in desperate need of a talented, veteran player to play opposite Trevon Diggs.
Brown never had the size to play outside. His role should be easily filled by Daron Bland. What you need is a strong outside corner. James Bradberry would be a perfect fit. Patrick Peterson, former Cardinals CB, would also be a great fit.
7. Sign Interior Defensive Lineman in Free Agency
There are many talented interior defensive lineman set to hit free agency this period. This is a position that the Cowboys have desperately needed for my entire life.
A trade for Johnathan Hankins, an aging interior lineman set to hit free agency as well, drastically improved the Cowboys run defense.
By adding somebody like Fletcher Cox, Jason Hargrave, Dalvin Tomlinson, David Onyemata, Sheldon Rankins, or Da’Ron Payne who are all free agents, the Cowboys would move their defense into the ‘scary’ category.
6. Resign LVE and Anthony Barr
With little available in the way of linebackers this offseason, the Cowboys need to focus on resigning Leighton Vander-Esch and Anthony Barr.
Barr served as a tremendous pickup for the Cowboys, constantly acting as a presence in the pass and run game.
5. Bolster Receiver Corps w/ Odell Beckham Jr, Resign Hilton, Brown
The Cowboys made a tremendous mistake when they traded Amari Cooper, QB Dak Prescott’s ‘safety blanket’, for next to nothing following the 2021 season.
They instead chose to sign WR Michael Gallup, who has under-performed to say the least. Hilton flashed greatness in his small time with Dallas. Noah Brown has over-performed his contract in every aspect.
They Cowboys need a flashy receiver who stands to take defensive focus away from Ceedee Lamb. Beckham represents the perfect #2 that will take the Cowboys offense to the next level.
4. Restructure Demarcus Lawrence, Zack Martin with Contract Extensions
Demarcus Lawrence is due a whopping $26 million in 2023. Being that he has anchored and cultivated the change in the Cowboys Defense over the last several seasons, he should be rewarded with an extension on condition that he restructure his deal. This move alone would save the Cowboys over $9 Million in cap space.
Equally, Zack Martin, who created the change in culture on the Cowboys Offensive Line and has become one of the highest regarded offensive lineman in the history of the game should never wear the uniform of another team.
By restructuring Martin, the Cowboys would save a tremendous $9.2 Million in cap space. Making way for additions to put the team over the top.
3. Cut LT Tyron Smith Post-June 1, Draft Offensive Lineman in First Round
Cutting Tyron Smith after June 1st will save the Cowboys a much needed $13.6 million in cap space. Being that injuries have limited his playing time every season, and that 2022 First Round Pick Tyler Smith played so well, the Cowboys should part ways with their long time tackle.
With such tremendous success in drafting lineman, the Cowboys should look to bolster this position with their first round pick this season.
It seemingly never fails.
2. Cut Ezekiel Elliott Post-June 1, Resign Tony Pollard
Ezekiel Elliott does not have the talent at this point in his career to be an every-down back, yet the Cowboys pay him as if he is one of the top every-down backs in the league.
Because of his massive salary, the Cowboys took Tony Pollard off the field consistently during the 2022 season.
Pollard is more explosive, more agile, and perfectly suited to be one of the most productive every-down backs in the league. There is no way that he should ever leave the Cowboys facility. Elliott should be cut, and Pollard should be named the starter with an extension paying no more than $12 million per year.
Cutting Elliott after June 1st will save the Cowboys $10.9 Million in cap space. It must happen.
1. Trade Dak Prescott Post-June 1st, Resign QB Cooper Rush as Starter
In order to pull this off, the Cowboys will have to re-negotiate and remove the ‘no trade clause’ from Prescott’s contract, a practice that is standard and routine in the NFL.
If they are able to make this happen, they would save a massive $31 million on the cap this season.
As for Rush, he proved this season that he is more than capable of beating some of the best teams in the NFL. He scored 20 points against the Washington Football Team, the only team to beat the Philadelphia Eagles this season.
He also defeated Joe Burrow and the Bengals, who made it all the way to the AFC Championship Game.
Rush is already an improvement over Prescott. By trading Dak, saving $31 Million, and signing Rush to an extremely cheap 3-4 year deal, the Cowboys will create the cap space necessary to bolster the rest of their team.
–
These moves may be shocking, but it is what the Cowboys must do in order to have a chance at winning a championship.
