With rookie minicamps starting around the league, the Dallas Cowboys are flipping the page from the offseason to making preparations for the 2017 season. As such, it's time to take a look back and see how the Cowboys did this offseason. Here's a review of every move Dallas made from free agency to the draft, and how Chat Sports grades those moves:
Free Agency: C
Key Additions/Re-Signings: QB Kellen Moore, WR Terrance Williams, OG Jonathan Cooper, CB Nolan Carroll
Key Losses/Cuts: QB Tony Romo (retirement), RB Lance Dunbar (Rams), OG Ronald Leary (Broncos), DL Jack Crawford (Falcons), DT Terrell McClain (Redskins), LB Ryan Davis (Bills), CB Brandon Carr (Ravens), CB Morris Claiborne (Jets), SS Barry Church (Jaguars), SS J.J. Wilcox (Buccaneers)
The re-signing of Terrance Williams was a needed move for Dak Prescott and the passing game, while Moore and Cooper provide depth at their respective positions. However, the signing of Carroll was the biggest and most impactful thing they could do. Cornerback was a major, major need given personnel losses at the position (more on that in a second), and he gives them a legitimate, reliable starter.
Still, while the Cowboys' signings were good, but the grade can only be so high given the quality of players and amount of players they lost, especially defensively.
NFL Draft: A
Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan (Rd. 1, Pick 28)
Chidobe Awuzie, CB, Colorado (Rd. 2, Pick 60)
Jourdan Lewis, CB, Michigan (Rd. 3, Pick 92)
Ryan Switzer, WR, North Carolina (Rd. 4, Pick 133)
Xavier Woods, S, Louisiana Tech (Rd. 6, Pick 191)
Marquez White, CB, Florida State (Rd. 6, Pick 216)
Joey Ivie, DT, Florida (Rd. 7, Pick 228)
Noah Brown, WR, Ohio State (Rd. 7, Pick 238)
Jordan Carrell, DT, Colorado (Rd. 7, Pick 246)
Dallas' free agency departures gave them plenty of holes on defense, and they made sure they addressed them early and often in the draft. Charlton was great value and he could start right away. Taking Chidobe Awuzie and then Jourdan Lewis was an interesting move, as both might start in the nickel role. And with Orlando Scandrick there, it could spell the end of Scandrick's time in Dallas. Don't be surprised if Awuzie plays some safety early as well.
Switzer can contribute in the slot and should handle return duties. Woods was really good value, as were Noah Brown and Marquez White. Outside of maybe Joey Ivie and Jordan Carrell, the Cowboys got value with each pick. Of course, that assumes Jourdan Lewis' domestic violence case is cleared up (it's a he-said, she-said, so the Cowboys seem to think Lewis will be fine). The Cowboys nailed this draft and they should get impacts in the short-term and long-term from several guys.
Complete Offseason Grade: B+
Dallas had prepared for the amount of production they were going to lose in free agency because they couldn't afford to keep everyone, and did a great job addressing those needs in the draft. However, plugging so many rookies into important roles is a gamble, even if it's one the Cowboys had to make. It looks like they hit a home run with the draft, which offsets most of those losses (though we won't really know that until the season).
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