Cowboys’ Free Agent Holdouts: Who’s Still Looking for a Home?

After about a week of free agency, some former Cowboys are still searching for new teams. But with Dallas bringing in 10 new players and re-signing others, the chances of some of these veterans returning seem pretty slim. Let’s check in on where things stand.

LBs Eric Kendricks & Nick Vigil

Eric Kendricks had a great year, leading the Cowboys in tackles and forced fumbles, but at 33, he’s still unsigned. With Mike Zimmer gone and Dallas already adding Kenneth Murray Jr. and Jack Sanborn, plus having young talents like Marist Liufau and Damone Clark, it doesn’t look like Kendricks will be back.

Nick Vigil, another Zimmer guy, also had ties to former assistant Paul Guenther, but both coaches are gone now. With Vigil turning 32 soon and Dallas making moves at linebacker, his time with the Cowboys is likely over.

WR Brandin Cooks

Cooks is another veteran still looking for a job, part of a group of 30-something receivers waiting for offers. Dallas has re-signed KaVontae Turpin and added Parris Campbell, but that doesn’t mean they’re done at WR. There’s a chance Cooks could return after testing the market, but Dallas might also go after someone like Keenan Allen, Stefon Diggs, or Amari Cooper—or just focus on the draft for a new target alongside CeeDee Lamb.

QBs Cooper Rush & Trey Lance

Both backup QBs from last season are still unsigned. Jameis Winston is the top free-agent backup right now, unless big names like Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson are willing to take shocking demotions. Rush is one of the better options left, and Lance, at just 24, still has some intrigue. Right now, Dallas only has Will Grier behind Dak Prescott, so bringing one of them back wouldn’t be surprising. However, the team could be waiting to see what happens in the draft, where veteran backups tend to become available.

DE Carl Lawson

Lawson was a solid part of Dallas’ pass-rush rotation last year, but after signing Dante Fowler and expecting Sam Williams back from injury, the Cowboys might be moving on. They do need more help at DE after losing DeMarcus Lawrence and Chauncey Golston, but they seem more focused on run-stoppers than pass rushers right now.

DTs Linval Joseph & Carlos Watkins

Joseph, another Zimmer connection, could still be useful, especially since Dallas re-signed Osa Odighizuwa and added Solomon Thomas. However, at 37, it’s unclear if he’s even planning to keep playing.

Watkins might be an option as a cheap backup for training camp, but he’s not a priority. The Cowboys will likely wait until after the draft to fill out the rest of their 90-man roster, which is when Watkins could possibly return.

CB Amani Oruwariye

Injuries forced Dallas to use Oruwariye more than they wanted last season, but he’s best remembered for a costly mistake on a blocked punt against the Bengals. At 29, he probably wasn’t in their future plans anyway, but after trading for Kaiir Elam and re-signing Israel Mukuamu, his departure became even more certain.

By Solomon

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