Pro Football Focus recently put out their 2018 Free Agency Guide where they preview hundreds of free agents, assess their performances, attach their grades, and find their best fits based on their skill sets or scheme fits. Keep in mind that PFF doesn’t necessarily mean these teams should sign all of these guys, it’s more about who is a good fit. Let’s look at who they determined to be good fits for the Dallas Cowboys:
Quarterback
Blaine Gabbert, 6’4, 235 lbs, 28 years-old, Arizona Cardinals
2017 stats: 91 of 160, 55.6%, 1,086 passing yards, six TDs, six INTs
PFF grade: 42.6
Our thoughts: Gabbert is an early draft pick that never panned out though he has done some decent things in a few stops. PFF believes his ability to make plays using play-action and solid mobility make him a decent fit for the Cowboys. Dallas may be looking for a veteran passer to add behind Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush. PFF also determines that Gabbert’s market is not going to be more than veteran minimum. If that’s the case, the Cowboys could do much worse and it doesn’t hurt to bring in a guy on the cheap.
Running Back
Alfred Morris, 5’10, 224 lbs, 29-years old, Dallas Cowboys
2017 stats: 115 rushes, 547 rushing yards, 4.8 YPC, one TD
PFF grade: 73.4
Our thoughts: Morris is going to be 30 years old this season but he seemingly is a great guy in the locker room and a solid backup to Ezekiel Elliott. The issue here is that he doesn’t add much more than a good insurance policy at RB1. He’s not a threat in the passing game and doesn’t play special teams, and the Cowboys could look to bring a younger guy in via the NFL Draft. Plus, PFF suggests a veteran minimum for Morris and that’s highly debatable as he can still command over $1 million per year.
Wide Receiver
Sammy Watkins, 6’1, 211 lbs, 24-years old, Los Angeles Rams
2017 stats: 66 targets, 39 receptions, 593 yards, eight TDs
PFF grade: 78.4
Our thoughts: He’s a name for certain but he’s already been traded by the Bills that had already traded for the opportunity to draft him. Watkins hasn’t lived up to the expectations of a first-round receiver. He’s speedy and has big play ability but he’s the only guy that didn’t really have an offensive explosion in Sean McVay’s first season as head coach. He’s always bothered by minor injuries but at PFF’s projected $2.5-$3 million, he would be worth a shot, although that projection may be low. He’s young, fast, and can get separation.
Offensive Line
OT Greg Robinson, 6’5, 332 lbs, 25-years old - Detroit Lions
2017 stats: 371 snaps, 240 in pass blocking, 131 in run blocking, five penalties, three sacks allowed, three QB hits allowed, 18 QB hurries allowed
PFF grade: 36.6
Our thoughts: Here’s another story of a guy who didn’t live up to his draft status and that’s usually the first qualifier to becoming a Cowboys’ free agency target. The Cowboys need to find a swing tackle option and Robinson’s only going to command the veteran minimum. It wouldn’t hurt to try him out but they better bring in competition as he’s not exactly been a guy who can be trusted.
Defensive Line
DT Bennie Logan, 6’2, 315 lbs, 28-years old, Kansas City Chiefs
2017 stats: 33 tackles, 30 run stops, two sacks, six QB hurries
PFF Grade: 71.8
Our thoughts: As a person that wrote about Logan already, he’s the type of defensive tackle they are missing. The best thing about him not being much of a pass rusher is that the Cowboys could get a shot at him. He’s a run-stuffing, 1-tech defensive tackle that allows the guys around him to make the big plays. Logan is a really good player that deserves more respect than these one-year, $900K deals suggest. However, if the Cowboys could bring him in at PFF’s projected price of $800K - $1.1 million, it’s absolutely worth it.
DE David Bass, 6’4, 267 lbs, 27-years old, New York Jets
2017 stats: 16 tackles, 12 stops, 13 QB hurries, three QB hits, four sacks
PFF Grade: 78.7
Our thoughts: Bass is basically a veteran edge rusher that can be effective in a rotation. It’s looking more and more likely that the Cowboys’ don’t keep Benson Mayowa around much longer. PFF values Bass between $1 and $1.2 million and that doesn’t seem like too much to pay for a decent rotational guy but do the Cowboys really have room for that? They could also find a younger guy in the draft but Bass isn’t the worst idea.
What’s your opinions on PFF’s projected fits for the Cowboys and who would you suggest they take a look at?