Cowboys Free Agency blog Part 5 of 5: Running Back

Hey there Cowboys fans, I’ve saved the best for last. Running Back is the last in the Free Agency series. With DeMarco Murray coming off of 1,845 yards and 13 touchdowns, he will be asking for a contract in the $11-13 Million/year range. I don’t believe you can give ANY running back a five-year contract anymore. Running backs don’t hold up over time like they used to. This draft class is rich with talent and there are some very capable backs available in free agency. Let’s assume DeMarco bolts in free agency and Joseph Randle is released, then these three could be targets for 1-2 year contracts with the Cowboys along with drafting a back for the future.

C. J. Spiller 5-11 200

78 carries 300 yards 0 TD (8 games)

C.J. has the speed that every team covets. In 2012 amassed 1,700 total yards. The Cowboys showed interest for Spiller at the trade deadline last year. Still a good kick returner as well. Could fill multiple needs for the Cowboys should they move on from Dwayne Harris as the return specialist. I would really like to see what C.J. could do running behind Tyron Smith, Zack Martin, and Travis Frederick. Contract should be around $3-4 million.

Darren McFadden 6-1 218

155 carries 534 yards 2 TD’s

Similar size and speed of DeMarco Murray but that’s where the comparison ends. The hope is that McFadden has the drive prove he was a high draft pick in 2008. He has rushed for 1,000 or more yards only once in seven seasons. McFadden does have good hands out of the backfield and is a capable blocker. He still possesses good straight-line speed. May be worth a shot for $1-2 million.

Mark Ingram 5-9 215

226 carries 964 yards 9 TD’s (13 games)

Coming off of a career year in 2014, Ingram finally got the chance to get most of the carries for New Orleans and it paid off. Ingram has battled injuries throughout his career, having played 16 games once (2012). A different style back compared to McFadden and Spiller, Ingram doesn’t have the same speed, but does have better power and vision. He would give the Cowboys a solid goal-line back and would allow them to draft a speed back in round 3 or 4. Should cost somewhere around $3-4 million.

I like all three of these backs for different reasons. With the assumption that the Cowboys will be using running back by committee instead of one lead back; you could pair any one of these backs with your draft pick and have a good combination of speed and power. The bad news about these backs is they each have had injuries, but the good news is they don’t have many miles on the tires. The Cowboys have been linked to each of these players over the years so we will see what happens in the near future.

Check out my other blogs here: http://talkinsportswithgeoff.blogspot.com/

@geoffrey_craig

Cowboys Free Agency blog Part 4 of 5: Defensive Tackle

I hope everyone had a great Valentine’s Day, but it’s time to get back into the football mindset. We’ve looked at possible free agents for the Dallas Cowboys at Defensive End, Offensive Tackle and Cornerback. Here’s three Defensive Tackles for the Cowboys to take a look at.

Jared Odrick 6-5 304

29 tackles 1.0 sacks

Jared started 15 of 16 games for the Dolphins this past season. Good pass-rusher who has played 3-4 End and 4-3 Tackle. Depspite just one sack in 2014, grades out as a top pass-rusher as a DT. Would give the Cowboys size and more pass rush next to Tyrone Crawford. Ranked as a top-19 DT by Pro Football Focus.

Tyson Alualu 6-3 295

30 tackles 2.0 sacks 

Has played Nose Tackle in a 3-4 and Run Stopping End in a 4-3 with the Jaguars. Started for four years before being replaced by Red Bryant last year. Has never lived up to expectations with Jaguars. A change of scenery/coaching could re-invigorate Alualu. Had microfracture knee surgery prior to 2013 season. Not a big name, but could be a good rotational player.

Nick Fairley 6-4 304

14 tackles 1.0 sacks (8 games) 

Inconsistency with his weight was one of Fairley’s problems with the Lions. Has had off the field troubles as well. He still is one of the better pass rushing Defensive Tackles in the free agency class. Rod Marinelli could turn Fairley into a Pro-Bowl Defensive Tackle overnight. Could be a bidding war for his services, which could leave the Cowboys out.

Fairley and Odrick still both have huge potential. Alualu could be a cheaper alternative and would play 400 snaps as a rotational player. Odrick is my pick based on Fairley being a bigger name. The Cowboys may be content just bringing back Nick Hayden to play the 1-technique and look for DT’s in the draft instead.

@geoffrey_craig

Cowboys Free Agency blog Part 3 of 5: Cornerback

It’s time for part three of this five-part series on possible Free Agents for the Dallas Cowboys. In the previous installments we’ve looked at Defensive End and Offensive Tackle. The Cowboys defense was much improved under Rod Marinelli but it still lacked production that was expected of Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne. Claiborne hasn’t played much because of a shoulder injury in 2013 and a torn patellar tendon in 2014. Brandon Carr hasn’t produced up to his salary. Orlando Scandrick was their best corner, but often covers the slot in Nickel packages. Sterling Moore and Tyler Patmon weren’t bad, but definitely a weakness on this team. Cornerback is high on the list for the ‘Boys, either in the draft or free agency. Brandon Carr may be released to clear cap room, maybe for one of these players.

Kareem Jackson 5-10 188

57 tackles, 3 Int

Kareem is a physical corner despite his size. Has averaged 56 tackles, 10 pass breakups and 2 interceptions per season in his five-year career. Has existing Jason Garrett connections having played for Wade Phillips in Houston and for Nick Saban at Alabama

Kyle Wilson 5-10 190

26 tackles, 0 Int 

The former 1^st round pick (29^th) has played Nickel for the Jets for the past two years after two years as a starter.  Would be an upgrade over Sterling Moore and Tyler Patmon as Nickel and Dime corner. Playing under a more simplified system under Marinelli could get maximum potential out of Wilson.

Brandon Flowers 5-9 187

52 tackles, 3 Int 

Flowers is the most decorated of the three corners. The former Pro Bowler has a lack for finding the football having amassed 20 interceptions and 101 passes defended in his seven-year NFL career. Played for the San Diego Chargers in 2014 after six seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs.

I’m a big fan of both Jackson and Flowers as possible replacements for Brandon Carr. Kyle Wilson would be a good fit at Nickel and would allow Scandrick to matchup with the offenses best receiver. We shall see how committed the Cowboys are to both Claiborne and Carr.

@geoffrey_craig