SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 22: Kenyan Drake #41 of the Arizona Cardinals runs with the ball against Mychal Kendricks #56 of the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth quarter during their game at CenturyLink Field on December 22, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
The Dallas Cowboys have a new head coach and many new faces. But which players could the make this a better team this season?
Will he or won’t he? Will free-agent quarterback Dak Prescott return to the Dallas Cowboys this season? It seems like a somewhat silly question but four-year pro has yet to agree to terms on a new contract or sign his franchise tender. And it’s even more difficult to ascertain what his asking price is given so many conflicting reports, almost on a daily basis.
Of course, one player does not a football team make. The club is looking to rebound from a disappointing 8-8 showing in 2019, one that featured a 3-0 start. There was plenty of blame to go around for the eventual collapse but when it was all said and done, head coach Jason Garrett was dismissed after nine-plus seasons.
The new man at the controls is Mike McCarthy, out of the NFL in ’19 but most recently the longtime sideline leader of the Green Bay Packers. The Cowboys’ offseason has seen a number of players move on via free agency. But the club has done a respectable job filling those holes and April’s draft brought some young talent as well.
Still, the ‘Boys are chasing the Eagles in the NFC East. So which five veterans could help Jerry Jones’ franchise return to the playoffs for the fourth time in seven seasons?
5 free agents the Dallas Cowboys should sign
5. OLB Mychal Kendricks
He’s been a solid performer when available. But the “when available” part has been issue for far too long for 33-year-old linebacker Sean Lee. He’s missed his share of games over his solid career but his veteran savvy is an asset. Ironically, 2019 wound up being the first season in which the former Penn State Nittany Lion played in all 16 games. He finished the year with 86 tackles, one interception, one sack and four passes defensed.
But nine NFL seasons (he missed all of 2014 with a torn ACL) is a lot of wear and tear. So why not add a little insurance in the form of outside linebacker Mychal Kendricks, who spent the past two seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. He finished ’19 with 71 tackles, three sacks, one pick and knocked down four passes.