Which of these 11 well-known veteran free agents make most sense for the Cowboys?

USA Today

16 hours ago

When the offseason calendar moved past the initial waves of free agency and the draft, many observers felt the Cowboys still had several holes to fill. Even as the team went through OTAs and minicamps, there were still positions where depth was concerning, or key players' returns from injuries left some with a bit of pause and hesitation.
The first two weeks of training camp has relieved some of those concerns, deepened worries in other areas, and even brought about some new forehead-wrinkling inspirations. As is always the case, and maybe this year more than others, there is a ton of veteran talent still available on the open market. Would the Cowboys have any need or interest to kick the tires on any of these veterans?
The club still has a ton of cap space available for this season, sitting at No. 8 overall in the NFL with just over $31 million of unused coins in their arsenal. They don't have to spend it, unused cap space rolls over into the next season, but it's there if there are veterans who would be able to assist in the effort to bring Lombardi No. 6 home to The Star.
Here's a handicap of the top remaining free agents (after Mike Hilton signed with the Miami Dolphins on Tuesday) and how well they'd fit into the Cowboys' roster.
WR Amari Cooper (50% fit), WR Keenan Allen (55% fit)
Before trading for George Pickens, the Cowboys didn't have a solution to round out their passing game. Now the question is, what is the best way to survive an injury to either of their Pro Bowl caliber wideouts? This only becomes a question if the team isn't sure what they have in their depth, which is currently headed by fourth-year receiver Jalen Tolbert, third-year wideout Jonathan Mingo and UDFA sensation Traeshon Holden. Cooper and Allen both have long storied histories, and could be seen as reliable possession receivers who aren't going to give big-play options, but rather could be counted on to run clean routes and be where Dak Prescott expects them to be when he's throwing timing patterns.
CBs Stephon Gilmore (80%), Rasul Douglas (65%), Asante Samuel (30%)
The Cowboys' health issues at cornerback have continued to worsen, the real question is how long can they go before making an external move. The team still hasn't activated third-round rookie Shavon Revel, nor former All-Pro Trevon Diggs, nor Josh Butler. They've since lost Caelen Carson and Andrew Booth for an extended period since camp began. They signed Christian Matthew as a camp body, but the situation is pretty dire.
The Cowboys seem to have two very good players ready to roll in Kaiir Elam, a trade acquisition this spring, and returning All-Pro DaRon Bland. The question is still about who will man the slot corner role, which would've been ideal for Hilton before he headed to Miami to help with their disaster. The most obvious solution, if they cannot find a dedicated guy, is to move Bland back inside and find a boundary corner.
Seeing how well the Elam reclamation project has gone, perhaps the team considers Douglas, who after being successful in Green Bay, struggled in Buffalo. Gilmore was a great addition for a year in Dallas and proved to still have something in the tank in Minnesota last year.
Edge Za'Darius Smith (15%), Edge Jadeveon Clowney (15%)
Before Friday's pronouncement by Micah Parsons that he wanted to be traded, these would've been low, low percentages. But with the outside chance the club acquiesces to the All-Pro's demands, they likely will be bringing back multiple first-round picks instead of players.
Smith and Clowney are the best of the still-free veteran options, but the team is so flush with edge talent they still may be more inclined to sit tight and give Payton Turner — whom was signed this offseason as well — a real shot to see the field in 2025.
Safety Justin Simmons (25%), Marcus Williams (25%)
The Cowboys showed a total disregard for the safety position this offseason, seemingly content to roll with in-house options. Malik Hooker has proven his ability to learn the new system, but perhaps the front office is looking to shake up the rest of the depth chart.
Simmons is now a couple of years removed from being an impact safety, but Williams may be an interesting option after his play fell off a cliff in 2024. His style is more suited to being a centerfielder as opposed to the split-safety looks Matt Eberflus prefers.
Guard Will Hernandez (40%), OG Brandon Scherff (30%)
The Cowboys dodged a bullet with the fact left tackle Tyler Guyton will return early in the season, if he misses any regular season games at all. That means they don't need to invoke the emergency protocol that moves left guard Tyler Smith back out to left tackle. However the three-month window on Rob Jones' injury (broken neck) may have the Cowboys considering one of these players after Week 1 when their contracts wouldn't be guaranteed.
Jones' $3 million salary is fully guaranteed, but there are some savings in his per-game bonuses to be reaped. Hernandez makes a ton of sense, hitting free agency after playing for Cowboys OC Klayton Adams in Arizona. Scherff is a OG NFC East lineman who will likely sign with a team as training camps wind down.