NFL free agency is well under way, although it hasn't been a great start for the Dallas Cowboys. Multiple starters and rotational players have left and the defense still has several holes. However, there is still several players the Cowboys could land and the NFL Draft will probably some key contributors. Here are the latest Cowboys news and rumors you need to know.
Darren McFadden Contract Details
The Cowboys re-signed RB Darren McFadden Thursday and now the contract details are out.
Darren McFadden (Cowboys), $980,000, $900,000 salary, $80,000 signing bonus, minimum salary benefit
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 17, 2017
That's a really team-friendly deal for a quality backup running back. It's easy to see why the Cowboys brought back McFadden at that price.
Geoff Swaim Injury
Now to the bad news in what has been a less-than-ideal offseason thus far for the Cowboys. No. 2 tight end Geoff Swaim has suffered a foot injury, reports Todd Archer of ESPN.
Swaim suffered the injury in informal workouts this week at The Star. Players are allowed to work out at the team's facility but cannot have contact with coaches. The Cowboys coaches are off this week. Swaim had a screw inserted into his foot to help secure the bones and will likely be held out until the team leaves for training camp in Oxnard, California, in July.
It's far from ideal, but it sounds like Swaim should be ready to go once the really important stuff starts. He was key as the Cowboys' run-blocking focused tight end. The Swaim injury could help James Hanna reclaim his role as the top backup tight end.
Josh McCown Update
Once the Cowboys move on from Tony Romo (and it will happen), they'll be able to lure a backup to Dallas. One player there is mutual interest in is Josh McCown, but he might not be on the market for much longer.
Speaking of QBs… FA QB Josh McCown is on his way to #Jets, source said. He’s visiting with them today & tomorrow. Also has #Cowboys interest
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2017
The Cowboys tried to trade for McCown when Romo was first injured, but elected to stick with Dak Prescott. Now that's he a free agent, McCown makes perfect sense as a veteran backup. But with the Jets lurking, and maybe having the ability to offer more playing time, McCown might not end up in Dallas.
Compensatory Picks For 2018
The losses of Morris Claiborne, Brandon Carr, Terrell McClain, J.J. Wilcox, Ron Leary and Barry Church (plus a few lesser rotational players) no doubt hurt. But if there is a bright side, it will be found during the 2018 NFL Draft. The Cowboys are in line to receive the maximum amount of compensatory picks (four). Even with Nolan Carroll counting against the Cowboys in the NFL's math to determine comp picks, expect the Cowboys to potentially end up with a 4th, 6th and one or two 7th round selections.
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