Each of these free agents would add veteran depth to the Dallas Cowboys roster at positions where Dallas is a little light behind the current starter.
To check out the past four Free Agency positions, click on the links below:
CB | S | DL | LB
Cowboys Free Agent Targets
Alex Smith, QB
Alex Smith is a proven commodity in the NFL and has proven to be a helpful veteran presence to other young quarterbacks on the roster. While quarterbacks like Ryan Fitzpatrick and Andy Dalton have commanded $10M per year on their deals, they are also expected to compete for starting roles. I’d expect Smith’s market to be around the range of Jacoby Brissett (1-year, $5M) or Mitchell Trubisky (1-year/$2.5M), who were brought in to be backups on their respective teams. Smith also has somewhat of a similar playing style to Dak Prescott, making this a smart fit. It also helps that Prescott has credited Smith as an inspiration in his own recovery from the 2020 ankle injury.
Jesse James, TE
Jesse James is a player who is typically known for his blocking from a traditional tight end alignment. With Blake Bell headed back to Kansas City, I believe James would be a worthy addition as the blocking tight end on this roster. At 6-7, 261 pounds, James is a massive player and would allow Dallas to continue to play with balance. With the Cowboys being contractually obligated to holding on to Ezekiel Elliott for at least another year, James could be a key addition to getting Zeke’s yards-per-carry average back near five yards, after it fell to a career-low four yards in 2020.
Aldon Smith, DE
It seems like this move is becoming less-likely. Not only is Aldon Smith’s former coach, Jim Tomsula is no longer in Dallas, but the Cowboys have agreed to a two-year deal with free agent Tarell Basham. Still, you can never have enough pass rushers, and Smith seemed to fit in with the locker room in Dallas. A month into the 2020 campaign, it appeared Smith was pricing himself out of a return to the Cowboys, but he ran out of gas down the stretch. If Smith is looking to cash in one last time on a big contract, it might be wise to take another one-year prove-it deal. In that scenario, it makes the most sense to return to Dallas, where the front office and head coach trust him.
Joe Looney, IOL
This might be one of the more likely reunions among the Cowboys and their list of free agents. Joe Looney will be 31 when the 2021 season begins. In his nine-year career, he’s got 42 starts. He’s also a player that can back up all three interior positions, as Dallas knows well. He’s a great fit in the locker room, and he has filled in as a starter admirably when called upon. Looney has also been an affordable option for the Cowboys in his two contracts with Dallas, and I don’t expect that to change. The front office could look to go with a younger option like Forest Lamp, Joe Dahl, or Nick Easton, but if youth is what they are after, the draft may be the best avenue.
