Under the NFL’s new pay cap, the Cowboys have less than $9 million available, so making mistakes in free agency is not an option. These gifted athletes take on too much risk.
Given that bids for free agent running back Tony Pollard are expected to be in the two-year, $20 million level, Dallas may be searching for a deal at the position. Singletary would be far less expensive, but the expense might not be justified.
Though Singletary overcame Dameon Pierce to get the starting position, he led the Texans in rushing (898 yards and four touchdowns), but his career average of 4.2 yards per carry was the lowest in his five-year tenure.
The 26-year-old running back averaged 2.6 yards per attempt in the regular season finale, but he had only scored two touchdowns in the team’s previous five games. He wouldn’t be the lead back the Cowboys need, but as a member of a committee, he would be excellent at $4.25 million annually.
The first priority for Dallas should be to locate a new left tackle if they lose veteran Pro Bowl player Tyron Smith. If it weren’t for his persistent weight problems during his career, the former Patriot would have been a clear choice.
Brown states that he weighs 370 pounds right now, but he acknowledges that he has lifted up to 387 pounds in the past. I wonder whether in the last two seasons, the Patriots inserted weight limitations to his contract.
Although everything is bigger in Texas, Dallas cannot afford to take a chance on the soon-to-be 30-year-old veteran considering his estimated $15 million price tag.
Mazi Smith performed poorly as a rookie tackle last season, and both Jonathan Hankins and Neville Gallimore are unrestricted free agents. Reader might be the best (and most costly) free-agent tackle available, after Chris Jones of the Chiefs. Like Brown, Cincinnati’s gifted interior lineman carries a risk and could cost a team more than $45 million in the next three years.
Reader experienced his second torn quad in four years as a Bengal in Week 15. The eight-year veteran has missed 22 games in the last four years and hasn’t participated in a full season since 2015.
When healthy, Reader would fit on any team; yet, with the salary cap providing no margin for error, Dallas must hope Smith can find another gear by 2024.
