Dallas Cowboys Have 2 Players Named in ESPN’s Top 50 Free Agents List
As the 2024 NFL season winds down, all eyes are starting to shift toward the offseason and the free-agent market. The Dallas Cowboys, who are always looking to improve their roster and position themselves for a Super Bowl run, will need to make crucial decisions regarding their free agents. ESPN recently released its annual list of the top 50 free agents for the upcoming offseason, and the Cowboys have two notable players who are included.
These players are expected to be hot commodities in the market, and the Cowboys will need to carefully navigate their contract situations. Whether the team looks to re-sign these players or moves in a different direction, their futures will have a significant impact on the team’s offseason strategy. Let’s take a closer look at the two Cowboys players named in ESPN’s Top 50 Free Agents list and what their futures could hold.
1. Tony Pollard – Running Back (Ranked No. 22)
Tony Pollard, the Dallas Cowboys’ explosive running back, is ranked 22nd on ESPN’s list of the top 50 free agents. After years of serving as the backup to Ezekiel Elliott, Pollard had the chance to step up as the team’s lead back in 2023, and he did not disappoint. Pollard’s dynamic playmaking ability and versatility as both a runner and a receiver out of the backfield made him one of the most exciting players on the Cowboys’ offense.
Pollard posted over 1,000 rushing yards in 2023, along with 9 rushing touchdowns and another 400+ yards through the air. His speed, vision, and ability to make defenders miss in the open field have earned him recognition as one of the league’s top running backs. While Pollard’s injury history, including a serious ankle injury during the 2023 playoffs, will be something teams look at closely, his potential to be a three-down back makes him an intriguing free-agent target.
The Cowboys have a difficult decision ahead regarding Pollard’s future. The team placed the franchise tag on him ahead of the 2023 season, and with Pollard now entering free agency, the team must weigh whether to offer him a long-term deal or allow him to test the market. If Pollard is allowed to leave, teams in need of a high-impact running back will be lining up to sign him.
For the Cowboys, keeping Pollard would solidify their backfield with an explosive and versatile weapon for Dak Prescott. However, the team will also have to balance his potential contract demands with their other needs. With Pollard’s name in the top 50 free agents list, his market value is only expected to rise, and Dallas will need to make a smart financial decision in order to keep him in the fold.
2. Leighton Vander Esch – Linebacker (Ranked No. 33)
Leighton Vander Esch, the Cowboys’ starting linebacker, has been a key figure in the team’s defense since being drafted in 2018. Vander Esch, ranked 33rd on ESPN’s list of top 50 free agents, is known for his sideline-to-sideline range, ability to cover ground, and overall leadership in the linebacker room. While Vander Esch has dealt with injury concerns over the past few seasons, when healthy, he has been one of the most reliable and instinctual linebackers on the Cowboys’ defense.
In 2023, Vander Esch continued to play at a high level, making plays in both run defense and pass coverage. He totaled 80+ tackles, and his leadership and ability to read offensive schemes played a crucial role in the success of the Cowboys’ defense. Despite his injury history, Vander Esch is still highly regarded as a starting-caliber linebacker, and his ability to contribute in both the run and pass games is something that could make him a hot commodity in free agency.
The Cowboys will have to make a tough decision about Vander Esch’s future in Dallas. His injury history is a concern, but he has also been an integral part of the Cowboys’ defense. As a leader on the field, he has developed excellent chemistry with his teammates, especially Micah Parsons. The Cowboys may be hesitant to let him go, but they will need to weigh his contract demands with their ability to address other positions of need on the roster.
Teams in need of a reliable linebacker, especially one with the experience and leadership that Vander Esch provides, could look to sign him. Vander Esch has proven that he can be a starting linebacker at the NFL level, but whether the Cowboys prioritize bringing him back will depend on the financial flexibility they have to manage their roster.
Cowboys’ Offseason Outlook: Managing Free Agency and Future Roster Moves
With two key players ranked in ESPN’s top 50 free agents list, the Dallas Cowboys are in a tricky position as they navigate their offseason. Both Tony Pollard and Leighton Vander Esch have been instrumental to the team’s success, and their futures could have a significant impact on the direction the Cowboys take this offseason.
For Pollard, the Cowboys may opt to retain him, given the clear void he would leave in their offense if he departed. As a versatile playmaker, Pollard provides value both in the run game and as a receiving option. His ability to stretch defenses and create big plays is something that offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy and Dak Prescott will want to keep around. However, with Pollard coming off an injury, the Cowboys will need to ensure they’re comfortable with his health and financial commitment before offering a long-term deal.
As for Vander Esch, the Cowboys may face a more difficult decision. While he has been solid when healthy, the linebacker market is often less lucrative than other positions, and Dallas could look to invest its resources elsewhere, especially considering the emergence of players like Micah Parsons and the potential of other linebackers on the roster. However, Vander Esch’s leadership and experience cannot be undervalued, and his presence in the linebacker room may make him worth the investment.
Ultimately, both players have earned their spot among the top free agents of the 2024 offseason, and the Cowboys will need to determine how much they are willing to commit to keeping them on the roster. With salary cap considerations, the draft, and other potential free-agent acquisitions to consider, Dallas has a lot of important decisions ahead.