This may come as a shock, but not everything written on the internet is true. Keep this in mind as you read through the collection of informed speculation, rumors and gossip below. Just because I have a source for each nugget of draft and free agency information does not automatically make it more credible.
Regardless, it's silly season in the NFL and at this time of year, our currency of choice is the cold, hard half-truth. And of course, all free agent scenarios are contingent on the Cowboys being able to free up enough cap space to actually sign a couple of free agents, but that's another issue entirely.
Brandon Moore, RG, Jets: The 10-year veteran guard and one-time Pro Bowler is apparently drawing interest from the Dolphins, Lions and Cowboys, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN New York. The 32-year old Moore has started 141 consecutive games for the Jets, and graded out as the fourth best guard on PFF last year, with a cumulative grade of +21.3, which compares favorably to Bernadeau's -4.0. Moore, who plays with the number 65, is perhaps best known for this one scene from last year:
Steve Maneri, TE, Bears: According to Jeff Dickerson of ESPN Chicago, the Cowboys were one of four teams who had expressed interest in Maneri. Maneri re-signed with the Bears yesterday but the Cowboys' interest in Maneri is noteworthy because it indicates what type of a tight end they will be looking for in free agency or the draft: Maneri, listed at 6'6" and 290, is strictly a blocking tight end who has even filled in at tackle on occasion for the Bears. Two prospects in the draft who could fill a similar role are OT Terron Armstead (6'5", 306), likely a second-round prospect, and Alabama TE Michael Williams (6'6", 269), who'll likely be late-round prospect.
Other free agents: ESPNDallas reported earlier this week that the Cowboys have had "conversations with second-tier free agents such as linebacker Chase Blackburn (NYG), guard Matt Slauson (NYJ) and defensive end Amobi Okoye (CHI). None of the three have since been linked to any other teams.
Kenny Vaccaro, Safety, Texas: We saw in our Mock Draft Tracker yesterday that Vaccaro was the leading prospect for the Cowboys according to the draft analysts represented in our summary. And that assessment may be more than just idle speculation. The Cowboys had a workout with Vaccaro on Wednesday, and Mike Fisher writes that the Cowboys scouts are "sold" on Vaccaro:
7 chunks of #Cowboys Intel: 3) Scouts sold on Vaccaroas 18th-pick-worthy; Wed. workout will help RedBall decide if he agrees.
— mike fisher (@fishsports) March 20, 2013
Sleeper prospect of the week: Don Unamba, CB, Southern Arkansas: Tony Pauline reports that Dallas-native Unamba will attend Dallas Days with the Cowboys. The DII prospect led the Great American Conference and was ranked 8th nationally in passes defended with 20, averaging 1.82 per game, and was named to the 2012 AFCA (American Football Coaches Association) Division II Coaches' All-America Team.
Cowboys free agent watch: Victor Butler appears to be drawing interest from the Saints after returning from a visit to the Steelers without a contract. Mike Jenkins hasn't been linked to any specific team yet, Felix Jones has been linked to the Jets but doesn't appear to have had any visits with teams yet. If you were hoping for compensatory picks for these players next year, don't expect too much.