FRISCO, Texas -- Leading up to NFL free agency, the focus for the Dallas Cowboys has been their Big Five: DeMarcus Lawrence, Amari Cooper, Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott and Byron Jones.
By placing the franchise tag on Lawrence for the second straight year, the Cowboys at least bought some time in getting a long-term deal done with their two-time Pro Bowl defensive end even if it might temporarily upset him.
With the other four, the Cowboys do not need to hurry on deals.