Many of these players will be let go due to no longer being worthy of their expensive contracts but that doesn’t mean they can’t still play. Instead, it just means they’ll likely have to settle for playing for less in 2023, which is why Dallas should keep an eye on these three potential cuts.
3 potential salary cap casualties the Cowboys should sign
3. Shaq Griffin, Cornerback
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 19: Shaquill Griffin #26 of the Jacksonville Jaguars on the field during pregame warm-ups before the game against the Houston Texans at TIAA Bank Field on December 19, 2021 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Kelvin Joseph was added in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft and finally got a chance to show what he could do against the Jacksonville Jaguars when Anthony Brown was injured. Joseph took that opportunity and allowed the Jags to get back into a game that was 27-10 at one point.
Joseph surrendered touchdowns to Zay Jones and Marvin Jones and before long, he was benched for Nahshon Wright. Looking ahead to 2023, the Cowboys have to get someone better to play across from Trevon Diggs and one possibility is Shaq Griffin, who could be released by the Jaguars.
Griffin rose to prominence with the Seattle Seahawks and then signed a three-year, $44.5 million deal in Jacksonville. He missed 12 games due to a back injury in 2022 but even before then didn’t live up to the expensive contract.
That doesn’t mean he’s not a starter in the right situation and that could be what Dallas offers him. Dan Quinn runs a defense similar to the one Griffin excelled in with Seattle and with a more affordable contract, he could be a decent stop-gap player while they look for their next long-term option.
2. Adam Thielen, Wide Receiver
After tagging Tony Pollard, the latest rumors is that the Cowboys will be moving on from Ezekiel Elliott. Doing so would be tough for Jerry Jones because it would be proof he made a mistake in 2019 by giving Elliott so many years on his extension.
Having said that, Jones needs to look past his pride and realize the money they save could be used to put some talent around Dak Prescott. Perhaps he could even stop blaming the quarterback — who is actually earning his money — for their roster holes.
With the money they could save from Elliott, they’ll be able to address their wide receiving corps which was depleted last year when they traded Amari Cooper and lost Cedrick Wilson in free agency. CeeDee Lamb was fantastic but he was often all on his own.
That’s why it would make sense to kick the tires on Adam Thielen should he become available. Thielen and the Minnesota Vikings appear to be ready to move on from one another and while he’s not the player he was in his prime, he can still provide an excellent No. 2 or 3 option while working with Lamb and Michael Gallup.
Last year, Thielen played in all 17 games and had 70 receptions for 716 yards and six touchdowns. That would have been a huge benefit in Dallas and even if he comes in with lower numbers than that, it would be great to have a savvy veteran that is in the right place at the right time. T.Y. Hilton provided that at the end of the season and it made quite a difference.
Another benefit from Thielen is that his signing doesn’t mean they have to give up on Jalen Tolbert. Mike McCarthy still believes he can turn it around, so a one-year rental affords him and the team some more time to figure it all out.
1. Shaq Thompson, Linebacker
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 24: Shaq Thompson #7 of the Carolina Panthers reacts during their game against the Detroit Lions at Bank of America Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
For the second season in a row, the Cowboys and Leighton Vander Esch are making no progress on a new deal. The difference this year is that LVE is coming off a very strong campaign and should have some suitors. That means there’s not likely to be a late signing where he returns on a team-friendly deal.
The good news for them is that Damone Clark started to come on the more time he got on the field as a rookie. But they still need a third linebacker, especially with how often Micah Parsons plays on the edge.
One possible replacement for Vander Esch could be Shaq Thompson who is currently with the Carolina Panthers.
Carolina is in the midst of another coaching change and could be making some big moves to cut salary cap space. They started last year when they traded Christian McCaffrey and now, Thompson is rumored to be on the bubble.
A first-round pick in 2015, Thompson has 117 games under his belt and has recorded 706 tackles, 12 sacks, four forced fumbles, and three picks in his career.
Should he hit the open market, Thompson should have plenty of suitors. He’s still been very effective and was the No. 24 linebacker in the league according to PFF. He would be a huge addition and even with Vander Esch’s improvement in 2022, would be an upgrade.