Significant changes are expected next season for the Dallas Cowboys, and there is a good chance that the team will be entirely different than the one we know today. This entire year is a roller-coaster for the whole organization, and some players have played terribly plus there are some whose salaries have a negative effect on the salary cap. Changes are inevitable, but what can Dallas do to improve their roster in 2018?
First of all, there are six players with big contracts, and those guys will earn more than nine million next year. The list goes like this Tyron Smith, Tyrone Crawford, Travis Frederick, Zach Martin, Sean Lee and Dez Bryant. We don’t see any of these players moving, especially the offensive linemen, so they will stay with the team. For example, Lee is the leader of the defensive corps, whereas Bryant is fan-favorite and the best receiver on the squad even though he has had ups and downs this year. They might be the players willing to change few things in their contracts for the benefit of the team.
In the meantime, Jason Witten and Orlando Scandrick’s cap hit is at 6.5 and 5 million respectively, and we might see their deals negotiated again as well. They will stay without a doubt, but let’s look at names such as Benson Mayowa, Terrance Williams, Randy Gregory, James Hanna and Charles Tapper. If Dallas selected to release Tapper and Gregory, the team would save only around 2 million. The most likely to go is Terrance Williams because his contract is worth a total of $4.7 million, and he has not been that good.
Especially if you take into consideration that Brice Butler has played fantastically and he had some game-changing plays this season. Also, Dallas can select a WR during the next draft, and the hole will be patched. Hanna will stay next to Witten (in case he doesn’t retire), whereas Chaz Green showed very little this year, but his cap hit is only $877,245. Also, Anthony Brown has struggled the entire season, but he is not an expensive player. Yet, these two players will most likely try their luck in the free agency.
The other Dallas Cowboys that will go as free agents as well or are already gone are Darren McFadden, Alfred Morris, Stephen Paea, Jonathan Cooper, Byron Bell and Joe Looney. For the next offseason, re-signing Demarcus Lawrence will be crucial.
