The Dallas Cowboys have remained very quiet throughout the first official day of NFL Free Agency. They did make a bit of noise on the second day, as they have signed former Philadelphia Eagle Cedric Thornton to a four-year, $18 million deal. The former Eagles starting edge rusher should convert from a 3-4 defensive end to a 4-3 defensive tackle.
In the Cowboys scheme, Thornton could also play nose tackle, which would help utilize his excellent run-stopping ability. The Philadelphia Eagles would have resigned their starting edge rusher, but signing quarterback Chase Daniel and resigning Sam Bradford got in the way.
Because of this, players like Walter Thurmond and Thornton were left to test the market. If anything, this move gives some versatility to the Cowboys defensive line and should contribute to the depth that they will continue to build through the draft.
The Cowboys also brought in quarterback Matt Moore, formerly of the Miami Dolphins, and Nolan Carroll, a former cornerback of the Philadelphia Eagles. Both players have left Valley Ranch without contracts, so it can be assumed that the Cowboys are going to pass on bringing them to Dallas.
Realistically, the Cowboys' caution when it comes to signing free agents comes directly from the biggest free agent mistake that is still on their roster, Brandon Carr. Sure, Carr has never missed a game, but the Cowboys vastly overpaid for a player who was just not worth that kind of money, and on the first day of free agency, those are the only kind of players you find.
The one exception to that rule in recent years was DeMarcus Ware after the Cowboys handled his contract situation poorly. However, for the most part, free agents are players whose teams are not worried about releasing; the focus should really be on the teams who have to release good players for cap issues, poor management or a disagreement between said player and the organization.
Those players can be a steal, and there is a handful every year. A recent example is former San Diego Charger starting safety Eric Weddle, who ended up leaving a franchise that he has spent his entire career with because of disagreements with management.
Now, one of the best safeties in recent memory is a free agent that the Cowboys should be interested in if they aren't going to select Jalen Ramsey in the 2016 NFL Draft and can sign with anyone. Free agency is a risky gamble, but finding affordable, productive players should be the ultimate goal.
