FRISCO, Texas – March has arrived. Each NFL franchise is tasked with making a plethora of tough decisions in the coming weeks. Each will impact the 2022 roster and build a foundation for the future. The Dallas Cowboys have a preposterous amount of challenging decisions to be made this year in regards to the salary cap. Who stays and who goes? As the new league year is about to commence, let’s highlight three key position groups to keep an eye on over the next two weeks.
Wide Receiver: Since the conclusion of the 2021 season, the Dallas receiving corps. has been a popular topic sparking incessant chatter. As of now, Amari Cooper is still under contract and Michael Gallup is an unrestricted free agent. However, it seems likely that Gallup will be the one remaining on the 2022 squad donning a Star. On March 20th – the fifth day of the new league year – Cooper’s $20 million base salary is guaranteed for 2022. His per-year average salary of $20 million puts him fourth highest among receivers in the NFL. On paper, Cooper may be the club’s bonafide No.1 receiver but he has not been utilized as such. Multiple reports say the Cowboys will likely release him, which would save roughly $16 million unless a trade comes to fruition.
Following a season-ending knee injury, Gallup could be starting next season on the physically unable to perform list. In summation, that reality would likely prompt a team-friendly, bargain deal to retain his services before the start of free agency. Even with the team’s deep threat and sideline navigator on the roster, wide receiver will still be a need/priority for the Cowboys in the next few months. This draft class offers many intriguing options who could elevate the Cowboys’ aerial attack. Dallas could also re-resign veteran Cedrick Wilson for a low price.
Tight End: Dalton Schultz finished second on the team with 78 receptions and is set to hit free agency as a hot commodity. As the top player available at his position, the Stanford product will be heavily sought after from teams around the league in need of a pass-catching tight end. With the added uncertainty of Blake Jarwin’s future post-hip surgery (multiple month rehab), placing the franchise tag on Schultz would be a viable option. He has been speculated as a top candidate for the tag and keeping Schultz would help solidify the position group. He would receive around $11 million next season on the tag. Without Schultz, Sean McKeon and Ian Bunting are the tight ends on the depth chart behind Jarwin.
Defensive End: Like Amari Cooper, defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence faces a similar narrative. According to multiple reports, Lawrence declined to take a pay cut and a release seems imminent. He has a $19 million base salary for 2022 and the All-Pro pass rusher will likely not be in uniform for Dallas next season. If they release or trade him before June 1, Dallas will acquire his $19 million in savings, in addition to an $8 million dead money hit. The Cowboys are trying to free up money under the cap and tagging Randy Gregory is a possibility. Gregory is currently an unrestricted free agent but will the club’s long-standing loyalty with the embattled pass rusher pay off?
Gregory achieved the most productive campaign of his career in 2021 and the tag would pay him around $20 million next season. Despite his performance last season, Gregory has played in 50 games over the last seven seasons due to a myriad of off-the-field issues and mental health struggles, resulting in multiple suspensions and durability concerns. He turns 30 in November and the Cowboys more than likely will not give Gregory a long-term, lucrative deal. The tag seems to be the most plausible.
Behind both Lawrence and Gregory on the depth chart last season was interchangeable with Dorance Armstrong and Tarell Basham. Armstrong is an unrestricted free agent and Basham is poised to take the backup job. Gregory finished with six sacks last season and Armstrong came in close behind with five of his own. With the future of both Lawrence and Gregory up in the air, both could have an immediate effect on the defensive end position.
