Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys 2017 Free Agent Preview

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 5:29 p.m. ET

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The Dallas Cowboys have been rolling through the 2016 regular season. In this article we will look at some of their key free agents for 2017.

Dec 7, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne (24) reacts after breaking up a pass intended for Washington Redskins tight end Jordan Reed (86) during the second quarter at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Cowboys are rolling through the regular season and have seen some surprising performances from key role players. As we find ourselves half way through the season there will be several important decisions to make in regards to players on this roster.

Here we will take a look at some of the most important free agents for the Cowboys when the season comes to a close.

Defensive Back

Morris Claiborne (Cornerback)

The former first round pick has had a fantastic year to say the least.

Claiborne has actually turned the tide in terms of public and private opinion about the inconsistent cornerback.

Claiborne struggled to find his footing all throughout his rookie contract however he has seemingly become a different player this season.

It could be that defensive coordinator Rob Marinelli has finally gotten his scheme to take hold, as he molds these young players into NFL shape or it could just be the light finally clicked on for number 24.

No matter the case after the way he has played so far it would be difficult for Dallas not to re-sign Mo.

He has not played well enough to garner a monster free agent contract but other teams could show some interest if he continues to rise.

Sep 25, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Chicago Bears running back Jeremy Langford (33) can not make a catch in the first quarter against Dallas Cowboys safety Barry Church (42) at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Backs

Barry Church (Safety)

Church is one of the hardest hitting safeties in the league and has been the captain of this Dallas defense. If there is ever a player in this secondary to knock a ball loose for a fumble or stop a running back behind the line of scrimmage it would be the talented strong safety.

The Cowboys will likely attempt to re-sign Church before the season ends if his stellar play continues as he and former first round pick Byron Jones have shown a ton of chemistry in the defensive backfield. Jones’s versatility has made life easier for most of the defensive backs on this roster and should continue to help the veteran safety make key plays.

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J.J. Wilcox (Safety)

Wilcox has had his bright spots during the 2016 campaign but still struggles in pass coverage. He has made several key tackles throughout the season and continues to hit hard and make offensive players think twice about completing a ball around him.

It is tough to say but the safety could find himself the odd man out when the season comes to a close, however if he continues to be a steady player for this defensive unit he could be re-signed to a team friendly deal.

Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrance Williams (83) in action during the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi

Wide Receivers

Terrance Williams (Wide Receiver)

Williams has been a headache but his play has improved tremendously. If he can become a bigger factor within this offense then this there will be no stopping this team however he has had plenty of chances to run away with the number two receiver job.

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He is largely the reason the Cowboys lost their first game of the season however to be fair all phases of the ball were not as crisp as they are performing right now.

The wide receiver also only has one touchdown on the season and has more targets than most of his receiving counterparts. Sure he averages around 15 yards a reception but he has also had some boneheaded moments that kind of nullify the growth we have seen so far.

If the Cowboys could land T-Will with a team friendly deal they should aggressively pursue an extension however if his value is inflated in the free agent market, he may have a new home in 2017.

Brice Butler (Wide Receiver)

Butler has been fantastic so far and has really stepped up in big moments for this Cowboy team. The former Oakland Raider has the size and speed to find himself open in the end zone even when star wide receiver Dez Bryant is not there to draw away coverage.

Brice has had a fraction of the targets that Williams has seen and has managed to come away with at least two touchdowns which is fairly impressive. Both he and Terrance are in their fourth year in the league but Butler is a year younger, this may be the edge along with his red zone efficiency that gets him re-signed.

Jan 3, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Washington Redskins cornerback Will Blackmon (41) and Dallas Cowboys running back Darren McFadden (20) during the game at AT&T Stadium. The Redskins defeat the Cowboys 34-23. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Running Backs

Darren McFadden (Running Back)

The former Razorback has been out with injury for the entire regular season so far and has a long way to go to dethrone former Washington Redskin running back Alfred Morris in backup duties. The reality is McFadden is a commodity currently in the NFL, a running back with fresh legs who may be coming off of injury but showed a tremendous ability to still be productive with proper protection.

Event though the 2015 season for the Cowboys was a wash, McFadden had a solid year. Teams who need help at the running back position such as the Baltimore Ravens, Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be potential trade partners for Dallas before the trade deadline.

Trading the former Oakland Raider makes more sense at this point than re-signing him in 2017.

Lance Dunbar (Running Back)

The Cowboys best receiving back is an interesting player as he was one of the only offensive threats Dallas had in 2015 prior to his season ending injury. I could easily see Dunbar getting re-signed to a team friendly deal more than McFadden as he will likely draw interest in the free agent market.

With running backs Alfred Morris and Ezekiel Elliott leading the ground game, Dunbar will struggle to find a solid role on this roster however he seems to have more upside for the Cowboys offense than DMC.

Jan 3, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys middle linebacker Rolando McClain (55) celebrates the defense making a safety during the second half against the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium. The Redskins defeat the Cowboys 34-23. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Other Notable 2017 Free Agents

Rolando McClain (Linebacker)

The linebackers days in Dallas are pretty much numbered. His suspension along with subsequent drug use in regards to said suspension has pretty much killed his chance of getting re-signed by Dallas. He will likely not play this season and could be released depending on how he is doing later on in the season.

I don’t want to close the door all the way for McClain because all NFL teams crave some solid depth at the linebacker position however he is looking like a long shot to make this roster.

Ronald Leary (Offensive Lineman)

Leary is a must sign at this point. He has seamlessly fit back into his role as a starter and has played pretty well. With offensive lineman La’el Collins still fairly young the team could use a seasoned veteran like Leary. The main question will be can they afford it?

This is when quarterback Tony Romo’s contract hurts the most as the Cowboys attempt to keep this line together. Depending on how far the Cowboys go Leary could be open to a relatively painless contract however I cannot imagine that would be the case if he hits the free agent market.

Gavin Escobar (Tight End)

The Cowboys main backup to starter Jason Witten has not performed nearly as well as a high draft pick should. Escobar needs to be more of a factor in the passing game if he wants to get re-signed.

The tight end has shown talent but it has not been enough to re-sign him to a long term deal.

Terrell McClain (Defensive Lineman)

Defensive lineman Terrell McClain has been a very nice surprise this season. He has be getting solid pressure as well as shown his effectiveness as a run stopper. He is truly one of the names you constantly see getting after the quarterback or making a tackle for a loss.

Now none of this guarantees him a huge deal but it is possible the 28 year old gets a three-four year extension if he continues to be a reliable member of this defensive front.

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