Top-3 Free Agents I Want the Dallas Cowboys to Retain

For good reason, Dallas Cowboys supporters were confident that this season had the finest opportunity to win a Super Bowl. The clubs with the best quarterbacks need to take advantage of the talent disparity, as Dak Prescott was unquestionably the greatest passing quarterback in the NFC. Sadly, the Cowboys were unable to take advantage, wilting like Bluebonnets after a Texas frost at home against the 7th-seeded Packers. The list of players who will be eligible for free agency is one of the primary reasons that this was the year to strike.

The Cowboys have 16 players with expiring contracts, and many of them are key players for depth and rotation. Today I’d like to play a little game. Out of the 16 looming free agents, if we could only pick the top three, we’d want to return, which three would they be?

LT Tyron Smith

Some of you may be rolling your eyes reading this one but hear me out. Would it shock you to find out that Tyron Smith earned 2nd-team All-Pro in 2023, marking the fifth time he’s been rewarded with that accolade? It’s also the first time since 2016 that he’s earned that honor.

So what changed? Mainly it’s been the fact that Dallas decided to give Tyron a veteran rest day from practice essentially the entire season.

Tyron’s body did not sustain as much wear and tear as it would have otherwise, allowing him to play at his best during games. Even though Tyron is getting a little older, he proved to us this season that he is still a talented left tackle.

Despite playing left guard this season, Tyler Smith was named an All-Pro, and I would rather keep him there rather than moving him to left tackle. Bring Tyron back for a one-year contract and choose the next generation of left tackles to train under him.

CB Stephon Gilmore

Another veteran who I’d like to see get another year in Dallas is CB Stephon Gilmore. Gilmore played solid football in 2023 and was a much-needed veteran presence in a very young secondary room.

The former NFL Defensive Player of the Year did not earn the accolades this season, but he was a welcome addition to the defense. This was especially evident when Dallas lost All-Pro CB Trevon Diggs to a torn ACL early in the season.

The Cowboys weren’t able to weather injuries to their cornerback room in 2022, and it was a big part of their exit from the playoffs. Gilmore brings stability to one of the boundaries and will allow Diggs some time to make a full recovery from his torn ACL without a huge talent drop-off.

Maybe Gilmore will be willing to accept a team-friendly deal to avoid moving to his fifth team in the past five years. First-team All-Pro DaRon Bland could also use another year of tutoring from one of the best to ever lace up his cleats.

C Tyler Biadasz

This one is perhaps the most controversial of my picks, but despite Tyler Biadasz’s flaws as a run-blocker, I think it’s important to maintain continuity for Prescott. It’s easy to underestimate the connection between the center and the quarterback but just think about the history.

Troy Aikman, who took snaps from Mark Stepnoski, played some of his greatest football. Tony Romo’s best years were spent with Travis Frederick taking calls in the center of the line. Whatever you think of Biadasz, since he was drafted in 2020, he has been that reliable for Prescott.

Biadasz is just one season removed from his first and only Pro Bowl appearance, however he was not selected for 2023. Dak might cost a little more because of that one award, but Dallas should be able to work out a three-year contract to keep him at the quarterback position.

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