The 6-foot-4, massive AFC emerging defensive star is expected to be targeted by the Dallas Cowboys in free agency.
In addition to trying to bring in fresh talent, the Dallas Cowboys have a number of offseason decisions to make in order to break through their postseason drought and contend for the Lombardi Trophy.
The biggest choice Jerry Jones and company will have to make this offseason is whether to keep QB Dak Prescott playing under his current contract, which isn’t ideal for a number of reasons, or extend him early in a move that would free up cap space, trade, or release him — which is highly unlikely given the dead money the team would be stuck with.
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) and owner Jerry Jones (right) before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Most likely, Jones will attempt to persuade Prescott to take a team-friendly extension where he will get guaranteed money in the form of a signing bonus or later in his contract to free up room for the salary cap in 2024.
Prescott’s current contract is set to have a $59.4 million cap hit next season, an extension is likely on its way before the start of the March 13, 2024 business year. That’s always been the plan.
Next on the list of considerations are the rookie contracts of Micah Parsons and CeeDee Lamb, the two other major talents on the Dallas Cowboys, who are almost done.
Even if it might mean cutting big players like DeMarcus Lawrence, Brandin Cooks, and Michael Gallup, the Cowboys will still come up with inventive ways to sign free agents and the NFL Draft in order to bring in fresh talent.
Although Dallas’ defense finished fifth in the league in 2023, Dan Quinn, the defensive coordinator, struggled against the run and is expected to leave the team in 2024 to take a head coaching job.
Recently, Bleacher Report offered a plausible defensive end target that Jerry Jones and company may reasonably pursue in free agency.
Spurred To Go After Miami Dolphins Free Agent DL Wilkins, Christian
Dallas’ defense ranked 16th in rushing yards and 15th in yards per attempt allowed. In the three aforementioned losses to those elite teams, the Cowboys allowed an average of 193 rushing yards per game. For perspective, the worst run defense in the NFL, the Arizona Cardinals, allowed 143.2 rushing yards per game.
In other words, yes, Cowboys run defense and lack of quality run-stoppers is their biggest problem entering the offseason. They have been attached to the premier DL available in 2024 by making a move for Chiefs All-Pro Chris Jones, but there may be a cheaper and more efficient option.
A recent article from Bleacher Report provided a viable solution for the Dallas Cowboys to make a major upgrade in stopping the run, which according to a deep dive into the numbers this season, would result in more wins. . In games in which the Cowboys held opponents below 100 yards rushing, they were 6-1. In 100-plus-yard rushing games, the Cowboys were just 6-5.
That includes the 143 yards Dallas allowed to Green Bay in the divisional playoff loss. The Cowboys were 0-4 when allowing more than 140 yards on the ground.
This is where Christian Wilkins, a 6-foot-4, 310-pound DT from the Miami Dolphins, enters the picture. Regarding the Dallas Cowboys’ possible offseason aim of Wilkins, B/R stated the following.
Having turned 28 in December, Wilkins has made a name for himself as one of the best run-stuffing defensive lineman in the league. In addition, he recently wrapped up a career-best season as a pass-rusher, recording nine sacks, 65 tackles, and ten tackles for loss. This week, B/R reported that “He played a huge role in Miami ranking sixth in yards per carry allowed.”
“Dallas needs to improve its run defense up front, and there’s no telling how big of a second-year jump Smith can make It’s also worth noting that defensive linemen Neville Gallimore, Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler Jr. are scheduled to hit the market in March.”
To keep Wilkins at $19.75 million for another season, the Cowboys would need to hope the Dolphins choose not to utilize the franchise tag on him, as PFF predicts they will do. Compared to Wilkins’s $10.7 million salary from the previous season—the fifth year of his rookie contract—that is a significant increase. Additionally, it falls roughly in line with Wilkins’ estimated market value, which Spotrac forecasts to be $20.2 million annually (the website shows Wilkins signing a new contract of $81 million for four years).
In order to complete a transaction of that nature and get Christian Wilkins, the Dallas Cowboys would need to make some concessions, but a number of estimates have already been made regarding how Jerry Jones and the team’s executives will be able to free up capital to make one or more significant free agency acquisitions.
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