Minor NFL Transactions: 3/10/23
Today’s minor moves around the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals
- Re-signed: WR Greg Dortch
Chicago Bears
- Re-signed: LS Patrick Scales
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived: TE Roger Carter, DB T.J. Carter, WR J.J. Koski, TE Jared Pinkney, WR Jaquarii Roberson, WR Jerreth Sterns, DE Brayden Thomas
Miami Dolphins
- Re-signed: RB Salvon Ahmed
New England Patriots
- Waived: P Jake Bailey
- Re-signed: LB Raekwon McMillan
New Orleans Saints
- Re-signed: DB J.T. Gray
New York Jets
- Waived: WR Rodney Adams, DB Zane Lewis
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Waived: DB Carlins Platel
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Re-signed: G Nick Leverett
Tennessee Titans
- Re-signed: LS Morgan Cox
Washington Commanders
- Signed: T Drew Himmelman
Bailey has been the punter for the Patriots since the team drafted him in the fifth round in 2019. He spent some time on injured reserve this past season and looked ready to return before being suspended by the team in response to missed rehabilitation appointments. In Bailey’s absence, New England relied on former Panther Michael Palardy for the rest of the season. With Palardy set to hit free agency, the Patriots will need to figure out who will be flipping the field for them next year.
Gray has been a standout special teamer for the Saints, earning first-team All-Pro honors in 2021. His new contract will be his largest yet, a three-year, $9.6MM deal, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The deal includes $4MM guaranteed, $2.4MM at signing, and has annual playing time incentives that could pay up to $500,000 per season. The first year’s base salary of $1.1MM is fully guaranteed for injury, followed by second- and third-year base salaries of $2.5MM and $2.6MM, respectively. The new contract has an potential maximum value of $11.1MM.
Cardinals Release Markus Golden
On a Friday rife with cost-cutting moves, the Cardinals are parting ways with a veteran member of their defense. Pass rusher Markus Golden‘s second stint in Arizona has come to an end, per a team announcement. 
By releasing the 31-year-old, the Cardinals will get out of the final year on Golden’s contract, which came about though an extension signed in September. He was due to count for $4.2MM on the cap, but this move will save Arizona just over $3MM in space while creating a dead money charge of nearly $1.1MM.
Golden was a second-round pick of the Cardinals in 2015, and he emerged as a productive edge rusher in his second season in the desert. He notched 12.5 sacks that year, but just 2.5 in a pair of campaigns after that. His tenure in Arizona was followed up by a brief stint with the Giants, where he re-established his value.
The Missouri alum racked up 10 sacks in what amounted to his first (and only) full campaign in New York. Golden was a recipient of the rarely-used UFA tender in 2020, but found himself on the move partway through that season. The Cardinals re-acquired him via trade, setting him up for a two-year, $9MM deal upon arrival back in Arizona. That move appeared to be a shrewd one, since Golden produced 11 sacks in 2021.
Things were different this past season, however, as his sack total fell to just 2.5. Golden remained a key starter for the Cardinals’ underwhelming defense, showing the durability which could help him land a deal elsewhere. However, this move continues what will likely be a youth movement in the team’s defensive front, a unit which saw J.J. Watt retire at the end of the campaign.
Zach Allen is a pending free agent, and would represent a logical candidate for a new deal as Arizona looks to rebuild. New general manager Monti Ossenfort has said that retaining the 25-year-old is among the team’s top priorities, so his situation will be one to watch closely in the coming days. Meanwhile, Golden will join a free agent pass rushing class which recently had Leonard Floyd officially added to it, and could also include Za’Darius Smith, depending on how the Vikings handle his request to be released.
Restructure Details: Armstead, Dolphins, Hill, Chubb, Chargers, WRs, Ravens, Pierce, Panthers, Moton, Jets, Cardinals, Eagles, Vikings
Teams have until 3pm CT Wednesday — the start of the 2023 league year — to move under the $224.8MM salary cap. With the legal tampering period beginning at 3pm Monday, teams are working to create cap space for free agency pursuits. Here are the latest maneuvers teams have made on that front:
- The Dolphins have created more than $43MM in cap space over the past two days, being the runaway leaders on this front this week. They agreed to restructures with Bradley Chubb and Terron Armstead to free up $25MM-plus, per ESPN.com’s Field Yates (Twitter links), but they are also using Tyreek Hill‘s receiver-record contract to create room. Miami created $18MM in space by restructuring Hill’s $30MM-AAV deal, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Hill was due a $16MM roster bonus; that and most of his 2023 base salary have been shifted into a signing bonus. Chubb’s base salary is now down to $1.1MM in 2023.
- Rather than trade Keenan Allen to carve out cap space, Chargers GM Tom Telesco firmly opted against that strategy. The Bolts are keeping Allen, and both he and Mike Williams‘ 2024 cap numbers will balloon. The team freed up $14MM-plus in 2023 cap space by restructuring both their $20MM-per-year wide receiver deals, per Yates. While new funds are available for 2023, Williams and Allen are now tied to $32.5MM and $34.7MM cap numbers in 2024 (Twitter links). Neither should be expected to play on those numbers, which will undoubtedly lead to more maneuvers down the road.
- The Panthers freed up more than $11MM in cap room by restructuring Taylor Moton‘s deal, Joe Person of The Athletic tweets. This marks the second straight year Carolina has adjusted Moton’s contract. A Xavier Woods tweak also added $1.5MM to Carolina’s cap space, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets.
- Michael Pierce accepted a $2MM pay cut to remain with the Ravens, Pelissero tweets. The move added $2.7MM in funds, Yates tweets. Pierce, who returned to the Ravens in 2022, can earn the money back via incentives. Pierce missed most of last season due to a biceps tear.
- Pierce’s former team, the Vikings, took the same path with Ross Blacklock. The 2022 trade acquisition accepted a near-$700K slash which he can earn back via incentives, Pelissero adds (on Twitter).
- D.J. Humphries missed much of the 2022 season, and while the Cardinals have a new regime in place, they are not moving their veteran left tackle. They will use Humphries’ 2022 extension to free up funds, with Pelissero noting (via Twitter) the Cards created $5.3MM in cap space with this restructure. Arizona has moved past $32MM in cap space. More could be coming via a DeAndre Hopkins trade as well.
- C.J. Uzomah‘s three-year Jets deal became a vehicle for the team to carve out some room. The team freed up $3.6MM in cap space with a recent restructure for the veteran tight end, Pelissero tweets.
- The Eagles also went to the restructure well Friday, with Yates noting (via Twitter) they are creating $2.5MM in space by adjusting Jake Elliott‘s deal.
NFC West Notes: Cardinals, Draft, Purdy, 49ers, Ebukam, Clark, Seahawks, Staff
The Cardinals have fared well when picking in the top five over the past two decades, landing the likes of Larry Fitzgerald, Patrick Peterson and Kyler Murray. The team’s second-half swoon last season led to a rebuild, giving a new regime the No. 3 overall pick. Similar to the Bears, the Cards are prepared to move down. GM Monti Ossenfort made that clear, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes (video link). The team gave Murray a landmark extension last summer, and although Year 1 of that deal did not go well, he remains Arizona’s franchise quarterback. As such, the team will be prepared to move down to accommodate a QB-seeking team (or one eyeing the top non-passer available) that was unable to land Chicago’s pick. Such a move would bolster a roster that enters free agency with several holes.
Here is the latest from the NFC West:
- Ossenfort also said the Cardinals have been in talks with free agents-to-be Zach Allen and Byron Murphy. The first-year GM indicated the Cardinals “would love” to keep both players, though he noted the obvious financial caveat (via AZCardinals.com’s Darren Urban) that could lead each out of town. Both were drafted to play in Vance Joseph‘s system in 2019, and each will be among the top free agents at their respective positions. If Murphy and Allen leave, cornerback and defensive line would become areas of dire need in Arizona. The Cards did not put much around Murphy since Peterson’s 2021 exit, and Allen following J.J. Watt off the roster would obviously put the onus on the NFC West squad adding reinforcements up front.
- Brock Purdy‘s postponed elbow surgery will take place Friday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic tweets. The breakthrough 49ers quarterback was initially scheduled to undergo the UCL repair Feb. 22, but swelling led to a delay. The seventh-round pick who would be on track to retain his starting role is expected to face a six-month recovery timetable, which would run up against Week 1. This creates more QB uncertainty in San Francisco, though Trey Lance is on track to participate in OTAs. The plan remains for Purdy to have a less invasive elbow procedure, but he acknowledged Tommy John surgery — elbow reconstruction — could take place. The latter route would threaten to hijack Purdy’s 2023 season.
- The 49ers discussed trading for Frank Clark before the veteran defensive end agreed to a Chiefs restructure in 2022, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle notes. Clark is now available, having been a Chiefs cap casualty this week. The former Seahawks draftee’s 13.5 playoff sacks are the third-most in NFL history, but he never topped eight during a regular season with the Chiefs. The 49ers could consider Clark opposite Nick Bosa, with Samson Ebukam being viewed (via Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com) as likely to price himself out of San Francisco. Ebukam, 27, recorded 9.5 sacks in his two-year 49ers run. He could command an eight-figure-per-year deal, per Fowler, as this edge rusher market is fairly light. Even ahead of his age-30 season, Clark may not come much cheaper.
- Azeez Al-Shaair figures to join Ebukam on the way out of the Bay Area, Barrows adds. The 49ers have already given Fred Warner a top-market contract, and they reached a midlevel agreement to retain ascending sidekick Dre Greenlaw last year. Al-Shaair will join a crowded off-ball linebacker market next week.
- The Seahawks went through with some front office promotions recently. Nolan Teasley has moved into the role of assistant GM, while Matt Berry will become the team’s senior director of player personnel. Teasley has been with the team since 2013, moving up from the scouting level. Berry has been working with the Seahawks longer than GM John Schneider, having started with the team in 2008. Additionally, Willie Schneider will step into Beasley’s former role of pro personnel director. Aaron Hineline will replace Berry as director of college scouting.
- The Seahawks’ recent Phil Haynes deal will be a one-year, $4MM pact, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com tweets. The prospective guard starter will receive a fully guaranteed $1.3MM base salary and a $2.2MM signing bonus.
Cardinals Have DeAndre Hopkins Trade Parameters In Place?
This year’s wide receiver free agent class has not generated much buzz, and the Bengals and Chargers have respectively indicated Tee Higgins and Keenan Allen are not available. This stands to elevate the markets for the receivers teams do put on the trade block. This will affect the Cardinals.
Arizona may be far down the road on a Hopkins trade. The Cards have the parameters of a trade in place, according to veteran NFL reporter Mike Jurecki (on Twitter). The Cards should be expected to receive a second-round pick and either a conditional draft choice in an unspecified round or an additional player, Jurecki adds.
Hopkins, 30, has been rumored to be on the move for a bit now. The Cardinals have gone through with a staff overhaul, hiring a new GM (Monti Ossenfort) and head coach (Jonathan Gannon). Ossenfort has spoken with Hopkins, and trade interest has begun to re-emerge. The Cards have fielded calls on their top wideout. Gannon stopped short of guaranteeing Hopkins would be a Cardinal in 2023. Hopkins and Brandin Cooks are viewed as the top trade pieces at the receiver position for the time being, but last year illustrated the market can certainly change.
The six-game PED suspension Hopkins incurred last year voided the no-trade clause in his Cardinals extension. Two years remain on that contract, which was agreed to shortly after the Cards acquired Hopkins from the Texans in 2020. Although the Cards rebuffed inquiries about Hopkins’ availability ahead of the 2022 trade deadline, the 10-year veteran’s name has been on the block since January.
A team that acquires Hopkins may well need to complete another contract. He is set to earn $19.45MM in base salary. While the former All-Pro’s current cap number ($30.75MM) would not transfer over to his next team in its entirety, the base salary would be the acquiring team’s responsibility. Tyreek Hill, Davante Adams and A.J. Brown agreed to new deals upon being traded last year, and the Browns restructured Amari Cooper‘s contract not long after landing him.
Hopkins ripped off three straight first-team All-Pro seasons in the late 2010s. Despite the most recent one coming in 2019, the Texans traded him to the Cards in March 2020 — in a widely panned deal that did not send Houston a first-round pick. It would, then, be interesting if the Cardinals managed to fetch a second for Hopkins given the downward trend of the past two seasons. Hopkins suffered multiple injuries that ended his 2021 campaign early, and after the PED ban sidetracked his 2022 slate, the former first-rounder suffered a minor injury that shut him down near the end of Arizona’s dreadful campaign.
But a wideout market topped by the likes of Jakobi Meyers and JuJu Smith-Schuster, along with Odell Beckham Jr. coming off a missed season, should create opportunities for the Cardinals and Texans regarding Hopkins and Cooks. Although Hopkins only played in nine games last season, his 79.2-yard per-game average far outpaced his 2021 number. He posted a 1,407-yard season in 2020, when he played 16 games.
Hopkins’ stock has dropped, but it is not hard to imagine a receiver-needy team betting on him to bounce back. The move would help a Cardinals squad that looks to be begrudgingly, after extending both Kliff Kingsbury and Steve Keim a year ago, committing to a rebuild.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/6/23
Today’s only minor move:
Arizona Cardinals
- Claimed off waivers (from Patriots): G Hayden Howerton
Cardinals Expect C Rodney Hudson To Retire
After center Rodney Hudson contemplated retirement during the last offseason and spent much of the past season on injured reserve, the Cardinals expect him to finally hang up his cleats this offseason, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. The 12-year veteran is set to turn 34 before the season begins, and as injuries continue to interfere with play, Hudson may be ready to put a bow on an impressive career. 
A Chiefs’ second-round pick out of Florida State in 2011, Hudson played in every game for Kansas City as a rookie, earning one start. He earned the starting center job in his sophomore season, but a broken leg ended his season after only three games. After earning that starting job, though, Hudson was forevermore considered a surefire starter at the position.
In the final year of his rookie contract with the Chiefs, Hudson had the best year of his career, starting all 16 games for the first time and grading out as the fifth-best center in the league, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). The Raiders rewarded the strong contract year with a five-year, $44.5MM contract in 2015. Hudson would reward Oakland in return with some of the best years of his career, including his first two Pro Bowl bids. The Raiders avoided allowing Hudson to play out the final year of his new contract, signing him to a three-year, $33.75MM extension that made him the highest paid center in the NFL in 2019. Hudson once again rewarded them with a Pro Bowl season and a second-team All-Pro selection.
As he was headed towards another contract year, and a sizeable cap hit, Las Vegas opted to trade Hudson, along with a seventh-round pick, to the Cardinals in exchange for a third-round pick, used to draft defensive end Malcolm Koonce. Hudson started 12 games for the Cardinals during his debut season in Arizona, finding the IR for a few games due to rib and shoulder injuries. After considering retirement, Hudson returned for a second year with the Cardinals. Unfortunately, Hudson was placed on IR after dealing with knee trouble throughout training camp and the first four games of the season. He would miss the last 13 games of the season due to the injury issues.
Those four games now appear to be his last in the NFL as the Cardinals expect him to retire. For Arizona, this puts them squarely in the market for a new center. Billy Price, who started in place of Hudson, is set for free agency. Even if he weren’t, Price graded out as the second-worst center in the league this season, according to PFF. Guard Sean Harlow also has experience at center but is also set to hit free agency.
If All-Pro Eagles center Jason Kelce doesn’t join Hudson in retirement, he’ll be the top option in free agency this spring. Otherwise, Jets center Connor McGovern had a strong contract year and Jon Feliciano should be available, as well, after switching from guard to center for the Giants last year. If Arizona chooses to go the draft route, North Dakota State’s Cody Mauch, TCU’s Steve Avila, and Minnesota’s John Michael Schmitz are considered the top prospects at the position, according to Dane Brugler of The Athletic.
If this is the end of Hudson’s career, it’s one he can be proud of. With three Pro Bowls and an All-Pro selection, as well as some of the most prolific contracts for a center in NFL history, Hudson has plenty to hang his hat on after 12 years of play.
NFC Coaching Updates: Wilson, Seahawks, Cardinals
When Jonathan Gannon departed to become the new head coach in Arizona, the Eagles had several options to fill the newly vacant defensive coordinator position. In the end, Philadelphia decided to hire externally, bringing in Seahawks assistant head coach and defensive assistant Sean Desai. According to Ian Rapoport, one in-house assistant coach has decided to part ways with the franchise after being passed over for the promotion, a situation not uncommon with coordinator jobs.
Former Eagles passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson was mentioned early as a top candidate to replace his former boss. Wilson certainly deserved mention. With the title of passing game coordinator, Wilson coached a group that allowed the few passing yards in the league this season. This feat is made all the more impressive by the fact that opposing offenses were doing whatever they could to keep up with the league’s No. 2 scoring offense.
Had Wilson not been a favorite for the promotion in Philadelphia, he likely would’ve been a hot commodity around the league. He’s held back only by a lack of experience, perhaps why Desai, a former defensive coordinator, was granted with the coordinator position over him. It’s a bit late for Wilson to be hitting the open market as many jobs have been filled. As far as I can tell, the Bills are the only team with a vacant defensive coordinator position. Wilson shouldn’t have any issues finding a job, though, after his success in Philadelphia.
Here are a few other coaching updates from around the NFC:
- The Seahawks have added a pass rush specialist coach to their staff, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, hiring Brandon Jordan to the position. Jordan is widely regarded as a top pass rush coach in the game, long providing private training sessions with NFL pass rushers such as Jadeveon Clowney, Cameron Heyward, Chandler Jones, Von Miller, and T.J. Watt. He most recently held the same position at Michigan State, helping them go from 97th in the country with 12.0 sacks in 2020 to 6th in the nation with 43.0 sacks in 2021. This will be his first NFL opportunity.
- With defensive coordinator Vance Joseph heading from Arizona to Denver, a defensive assistant is expected to follow Joseph from the Cardinals, according to Troy Renck of Insider Denver7. Renck reportedly fully expects Cardinals defensive quality control coach Rob Grosso to follow Joseph to Denver. Grosso had followed Joseph to Arizona after he was fired from his head coaching position in 2019. Grosso had served as assistant to the head coach in Denver working with outside linebackers and special teams. The Joseph disciple is expected to find his way back to Denver with his boss.
Latest On Cardinals, DeAndre Hopkins
MARCH 4: In an update which comes as little surprise, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport notes that teams have been calling the Cardinals to gauge the availability of Hopkins (video link). He adds that no decision has been made by Ossenfort and the Arizona front office as of yet, but the situation could change in the days leading up to free agency.
MARCH 3: The Cardinals have a new coaching staff, general manager and the potential to add a franchise player in the draft with the third overall pick. One of their top storylines for the offseason concerns an in-house player, however.
Wideout DeAndre Hopkins has become the subject of trade speculation recently, especially after it was learned that his no-trade clause is no longer in effect. That clause was voided as a result of the six-game PED suspension Hopkins served at the start of the 2022 campaign, one which again saw his game action limited. The 30-year-old does not have any guaranteed money remaining on his deal.
That could make him a trade candidate, especially if the Cardinals look to rebuild in the coming years under head coach Jonathan Gannon and GM Monti Ossenfort. Hopkins showed that he is still productive when healthy, posting 717 yards and three touchdowns in only nine games in 2022. However, a trade would result in $8.1MM in cap savings this season, and just under $15MM in 2024.
“I had a great talk with D-Hop a couple weeks ago,” Ossenfort said, via team reporter Darren Urban. “I explained to him what my philosophy was. It was a great conversation. D-Hop has been a great player in this league for a long time. I’m excited to work with him. I think any roster decisions like that, we are in the very early stages right now.”
The three-time All Pro has played three seasons in Arizona, the first of which was the only one in which he was available for a full campaign. Hopkins earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2020 after recording his sixth career 1,000-plus yard season, but has been limited to 106 catches, 1,289 yards and 11 scores since then. Those numbers are certainly noteworthy, but they still fall short of expectations given the substantial extension he signed upon being traded from Houston. His deal carries cap hits of $30.75MM and $26.2MM in the next two years.
Between that financial burden, along with Hopkins’ missed games, trade value could be relatively underwhelming from the Cardinals’ perspective. Veteran reporter Mike Jurecki predicts (via Twitter) that Arizona would not be able to land a first-round pick in a deal, with a second-rounder coupled with a Day 3 selection being more likely. Part of the reason an acquiring team could wind up spending a top selection, on the other hand, is the underwhelming nature of this year’s free agent class at the position, and the relative lack of impact wideouts in the 2023 draft class compared to recent years.
Ossenfort’s remarks demonstrate that no decision has been made with respect to keeping or moving on from Hopkins. The Cardinals currently have just under $14MM in cap space, but the team faces a number of challenges in improving a roster which went 4-13 last season. Hopkins’ future will no doubt have an impact on their offseason either way.
Cowboys Aim To Add Another Weapon; Team Eyeing Extensions For CeeDee Lamb, Trevon Diggs
The Cowboys have Michael Gallup entering the second year of his five-year extension, and the team’s No. 2 wide receiver is now more than a year removed from his ACL tear. The team is also expected to use the franchise tag to keep Tony Pollard off the market. But it is eyeing an addition to its skill-position corps as well.
Dallas will pursue a “dynamic weapon” this offseason, Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News notes. This will naturally reconnect the Cowboys to Odell Beckham Jr., but Gehlken cautions nothing is imminent there. The addition could also come in the draft.
It also might come at tight end, as Dalton Schultz is likely to leave in free agency. Headlined by Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer and Utah’s Dalton Kincaid, this tight class is viewed as the best in many years. Both those options could well be gone by the time the Cowboys’ No. 26 overall pick arrives. This draft’s receiver class is not viewed as highly, at least compared to the past few, and Stephen Jones‘ comments of the team readying to use the franchise tag almost certainly point to Pollard being the recipient. It would cost just $10.1MM for the Cowboys to keep Pollard. It would be the sixth straight year in which Dallas has used the tag.
As far as veteran receivers go, Beckham headlines a free agency crop not viewed glowingly. It would be interesting to see the Cowboys pay Gallup, tag Pollard and spend on another wide receiver. The team also has designs on extending CeeDee Lamb, with Jones indicating (via the Dallas Morning News’ Calvin Watkins) both he and Trevon Diggs are in the team’s long-term plans.
Lamb’s fifth-year option will be picked up, Gehlken adds, as could be expected given his status as a cornerstone player for the team. This would lock in Lamb through 2024, with his price rising next year. Without a fifth-year option available regarding Diggs, a second-round pick, the Cowboys will soon see their top cornerback enter a contract year.
Beyond Beckham, the market stands to include JuJu Smith-Schuster, Jakobi Meyers, DJ Chark and Allen Lazard. Michael Thomas also looks to be available, but the former Saints All-Pro has missed much of the past three seasons. At close to his best, Beckham would qualify as a dynamic weapon. He showed that during the Rams’ 2021 Super Bowl run, one that included an explosive Beckham Super Bowl LVI start before his ACL tear. Beckham did not play last season, healing the second of his two ACL tears sustained during the 2020s, and will turn 31 during the 2023 slate. The Cowboys, Rams and Giants are expected to resume their pursuits of the eight-year veteran, and while Dallas was viewed as the favorite during the late-season sweepstakes, this will be one of the harder price projections to make in recent free agency history.
The Cowboys ended up selling low on Amari Cooper, collecting late-round picks from the Browns for their former No. 1 receiver, and Gallup did not show his previous form after returning from the December 2021 ACL tear. Third-round pick Jalen Tolbert did not acclimate as quickly as the team hoped, Gehlken adds. The South Alabama alum did not see much action last season, and the Cowboys cut James Washington not long after he recovered from his summer foot fracture. Lamb, Gallup and Tolbert are the top receivers under contract; six-year Cowboy Noah Brown is also a free agent. Gallup also underwent arthroscopic knee surgery a few weeks ago but is expected to be ready for OTAs.
Cowboys target Brandin Cooks is again available via trade, though the Texans’ new price point remains to be seen, but Gehlken adds the team is not close on trading for a pass catcher. DeAndre Hopkins joins Cooks in being on the trade block. Jonathan Gannon stopped short of guaranteeing Hopkins will be a Cardinal in 2023, Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com notes, and the former All-Pro’s 2022 PED suspension voided his no-trade clause.
Dallas’ recent big skill-position swings have moved the needle significantly. Cooper made two Pro Bowls as a Cowboy and reeled off three 1,000-yard seasons, while Lamb — chosen after Henry Ruggs and Jerry Jeudy but before Justin Jefferson — broke through for a career-high 1,359 yards and nine touchdown catches in 2022. It appears a serious effort to complement Lamb and Pollard will commence soon.