Dallas Cowboys stars rank among NFL's top 50 2023 free agents

NFL free agency this offseason includes some of the biggest names from across the league, including two of the Dallas Cowboys’ stars. ESPN released its list of the top 50 unrestricted free agents in 2023, revealing tight end Dalton Schultz and running back Tony Pollard ranked amongst the best.

Not only are Schultz and Pollard in the top 50, but they’re also both in the top 20. The Cowboys’ divisional rivals, the Eagles and the Giants, also have multiple free agents in the top 20.

Coming in at No. 12, Schultz had a franchise tag for the 2022 season. There’s no doubt he’s been an asset, but his price tag and the team’s depth at the position, however, could put him on the chopping block.

“Schultz’s postseason production — 12 receptions, 122 yards and three touchdowns in two games — should erase any questions about a knee injury that slowed him earlier in the season,” ESPN’s Matt Bowen writes. “He’s a vertical seam stretcher who can be schemed on play-action or boot to use his ability to run after the catch. He has some speed when he gets free. Plus, Schultz — another guy who played on the franchise tag — won’t turn 27 until July.”

Pollard, the first Cowboys running back to lead the team in rushing yards not named Ezekiel Elliott since 2016, is another star player at risk of getting away this offseason. The former Memphis standout suffered a high-ankle sprain – which required surgery – and a fractured fibula in the last game of the season, but he’s on track to return to the field by training camp.

“Pollard slips down these rankings after he fractured his left fibula in the postseason loss to San Francisco,” Bowen writes. “He showed during the season, however, that he has the traits of a lead back with a dual-threat upside. While splitting touches with Ezekiel Elliott, Pollard rushed for a career-high 1,007 yards while averaging 9.5 yards per catch on 39 receptions, earning a trip to the Pro Bowl. When healthy, Pollard has big-play ability and formation flexibility in the pass game.”

ESPN ranked Pollard as the No. 19 best-available free agent this offseason.

Dallas over projected 2023 cap

The Dallas Cowboys are one of 14 teams already over the projected 2023 salary cap by roughly $7.6 million, according to Spotrac. The NFL announced the 2023 salary cap is a record-high $224.8 million, up from $208.2 million for the 2022 season.

Dallas has five players whose cap hits next season are north of $13 million. Restructuring some of those deals, including Ezekiel Elliott‘s and Dak Prescott‘s, could help their negotiations during free agency.

Last year, Jones & Co. watched Amari Cooper, La’el Collins and Randy Gregory depart Dallas in free agency. Despite those moves, the Cowboys still made their way back to the playoffs and even went one round further.

The official league new year starts on March 15 at 4 p.m. ET., at which point, players can make new deals official. Contract negotiations can commence on March 13.

Cowboys’ pending unrestricted free agents

Offense
QB Cooper Rush
RB Tony Pollard
WR Noah Brown
WR T.Y. Hilton
TE Dalton Schultz
OT Jason Peters
OL Connor McGovern

Defense
DE Dante Fowler
DE Carlos Watkins
DT Johnathan Hankins
OLB Anthony Barr
LB Leighton Vander Esch
LB Luke Gifford
CB Anthony Brown
CB Trayvon Mullen
S Donovan Wilson
CB CJ Goodwin

Special Teams
K Brett Maher
LS Jake McQuaide
LS Matt Overton

Restricted Free Agents
RB Rico Dowdle, 2023 Tender – $765,000
OT Terence Steele, 2023 Tender – $765,000