Cowboys Have Faith in Kellen Moore
- Cowboys CEO Stephen Jones says the team has faith in Kellen Moore as the team’s No. 2 QB, Charean Williams of the Star-Telegram tweets. Jones’ comments indicate that the team will not be looking for outside help to support starter Tony Romo.
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Cowboys Not Interested In Dwight Freeney
As Dwight Freeney continues to make the free agent rounds, we know one team that will not be making a play for him. Cowboys COO Stephen Jones says the Cowboys are not in the market for a veteran defensive end like Freeney (Twitter link via Charean Williams of the Star-Telegram). Instead, Dallas wants to see what they have in their young bookends. 
[RELATED: Cowboys QB Tony Romo On His Future]
The Cowboys are currently projected to start Demarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory at defensive end with Ryan Russell, David Irving, rookie Charles Tapper, Jack Crawford, and offseason pickup Benson Mayowa in support. One would think that the Cowboys would like to add a veteran presence to that group of bookends, particularly since Lawrence and Gregory are facing four-game bans for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, but they’re apparently content with what they have.
Freeney met with the Bengals earlier this week but left Cincinnati without a deal. Now, the 36-year-old is slated to meet with the Falcons next week. In Dallas Robinson’s recent rundown of the best defensive free agents left on the board, he also pointed to the Ravens, Bengals, Panthers, Jets, Patriots, Lions, Chiefs, and Bills as logical destinations for the multiple-time Pro Bowler.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Cowboys Confident In Kellen Moore
- The Cowboys seem content with Kellen Moore serving as Tony Romo‘s primary backup this year, per head coach Jason Garrett (Twitter link via Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram). “We just feel like Kellen has earned the right to compete for the No. 2 spot, and that’s what he’s doing,” said Garrett. In his first pro action last season, the 26-year-old Moore – a former Lion – appeared in three games, made two starts, and threw four touchdowns against six interceptions. It’s worth noting that the Cowboys visited with veteran passer Matt Moore earlier this offseason before he re-signed with Miami and also selected Mississippi State’s Dak Prescott in the fourth round of this year’s draft.
Cowboy Sign Zach Wood
- After signing as an undrafted free agent out of UTSA, edge rusher Jason Neill was waived today by the Cowboys, according to Wilson (Twitter link). To replace Neil, Dallas signed fellow defensive end Zach Wood, tweets Wilson.
Cowboys’ Ronald Leary Requests Trade
Ronald Leary has requested a trade from the Cowboys, according to sources who spoke with ESPN.com’s Todd Archer. The veteran has been a no-show for the offseason program, including the start of today’s organized team activities. 
[RELATED: Ex-Cowboys DE Greg Hardy Lobbying For NFL Opportunity]
During the draft, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones acknowledged that the team had gotten some trade inquiries on Leary, though he said the team was not inclined to give him away for an underwhelming return.Leary inked his restricted free-agent tender worth $2.553MM before the draft, but he was hoping that the Cowboys would deal him elsewhere. As it stands, Leary is slated to hit the open market after the 2016 season without any restrictions.
The Titans are one team potentially in need of a lineman after losing versatile veteran Byron Bell for the season. Archer notes that Leary helped new Tennessee running back DeMarco Murray run for an league-high 1,845 yards in 2014.
Leary started at left guard for Dallas in 2013 and 2014 and opened the 2015 season in the same capacity. However, he was eventually leapfrogged by rookie La’el Collins.
Leary was on the field for 137 pass snaps and 84 run snaps in 2015, according to the stats compiled by Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Although he did not qualify to be ranked based on that limited sample size, Leary was given an overall grade of 72.2, which would have placed him near the backend of the top 30.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Cowboys Sign Jaylon Smith, Rico Gathers
- In addition to Smith (listed below), the Cowboys announced that they’ve also agreed to terms with sixth-round pick Rico Gathers. The 6’6″, 273-pound former Baylor basketball player did not play football at the collegiate level, but is expected to pursue an NFL career at tight end. Dallas has now locked up six of its nine 2016 draft picks.
- The Cowboys have signed second-round linebacker Jaylon Smith to a four-year deal, ESPN.com’s Todd Archer writes. It remains to be seen when Smith will take the field, however. The prevailing belief is that he will need a redshirt year because of the serious knee injury he suffered in January. If Smith spends the season on the NFI list, he’ll be a restricted free agent in 2020 instead of an unrestricted free agent, Joel Corry of CBSSports.com notes (via Twitter).
Cowboys Bidding To Host 2018 NFL Draft
- The Cowboys are aiming to host the 2018 draft, reports Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. If the Cowboys’ bid wins, the event will be held at either AT&T Stadium or the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, a $1.5 billion facility scheduled to open in August. Chicago has hosted the previous two drafts, while Philadelphia is likely to land next year’s.
Cowboys Sign Ezekiel Elliott
The Cowboys have formally signed their presumptive running back of the future. The team announced today that No. 4 overall pick Ezekiel Elliott has put pen to paper. 
In the weeks leading up to the draft, the Cowboys were heavily connected to both Elliott and FSU defensive back Jalen Ramsey with their top pick. Ultimately, Jerry Jones’ fondness for the Ohio State product won out, giving the Cowboys a well-rounded tailback to join veterans Darren McFadden and Alfred Morris. Elliott will receive a four-year deal worth nearly $25MM in accordance with his draft slot.
That deal comes with a healthy $16.3MM signing bonus and a cap number of $4.5MM that escalates all the way to $7.94MM in the fourth and final year. Of course, as a first-round selection, the Cowboys will reserve the right to retain Elliott for an additional year via his fifth-year option.
In addition to Elliott, the Cowboys have also inked sixth-round picks Darius Jackson, Anthony Brown, and Kavon Frazier.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Cowboys Cut Brandon Hartson
- The Cowboys have cut long snapper Brandon Hartson, tweets Wilson.
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Tony Romo Recovering Well From Surgery
- After undergoing a procedure on his clavicle in early March, Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is having a productive camp, as Todd Archer of ESPN.com writes. “There’s absolutely nothing negative that can be said about where he is,” said owner Jerry Jones. “Everything they hoped to accomplish technically from appraisal of surgery has gone well. Everything he’s done regarding his strength, everything regarding what he’s wanted to do, he’s been able to do.” Dallas does not expect Romo to be on a “pitch count” through the summer, per Archer.