FRISCO, Texas -- Free agency isn't even officially a week old, but it feels as if the 2023 NFC East champion Dallas Cowboys have been left behind.
Left tackle Tyron Smith has agreed to join the New York Jets. Center Tyler Biadasz and defensive ends Dorance Armstrong have decided to follow former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to the Washington Commanders. The team's leading rusher the past two years, Tony Pollard, is now with the Tennessee Titans. Dallas released linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, who then announced his retirement, and wide receiver Michael Gallup.
The Cowboys have signed one free agent, linebacker Eric Kendricks, and re-signed cornerback Jourdan Lewis, running back Rico Dowdle and special-teamers C.J. Goodwin and Trent Sieg.
As for the rest of the NFC East, the Philadelphia Eagles have added running back Saquon Barkley, linebacker Devin White, defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson and defensive end Bryce Huff, although stalwart center Jason Kelce and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox retired.
The New York Giants traded for pass-rusher Brian Burns, added to their offensive line with Jon Runyan and Jermaine Eluemunor, and signed Drew Lock to push Daniel Jones at quarterback.
In addition to the ex-Cowboys, the Commanders added running back Austin Ekeler, linebacker Bobby Wagner, linebacker Frankie Luvu, safety Jeremy Chinn and guard Nick Allegretti, among others.
If anything, the NFC East competitors have closed the gap on Dallas. Perhaps the Eagles have surpassed them, although it has to be noted -- again and again -- the NFC East has not had a repeat division winner since 2003-04.
None of this should be a surprise. Even if the Cowboys had ample salary cap space, they just won't be major players in free agency.
"I've always been of the ilk that you, in this first couple of days of free agency, you pay good players like they're great, you pay average players like they're good, and so on and so forth," Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said. "Because the market's inflated in our mind. That's one opinion. The way I look at things, too. I've always said it: Player acquisition is 365 days a year. It's not just the first or second or third day of free agency."
Jones has said something like that for years now, and it's almost as if nobody wants to believe him. Dallas had long desired to keep its own players rather than get heavily involved in free agency. Last year, the Cowboys paid up to retain All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs and right tackle Terence Steele.
This year, they drew lines on how much money they could pay Smith, Pollard, Biadasz and Armstrong and did not budge. The departures might not be over. Defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins might leave. Cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who is recovering from shoulder surgery, could sign elsewhere, too.
The Cowboys could certainly add cost-effective players in the coming days and weeks, but they are hanging their hat on their ability to draft. Since vice president of player personnel Will McClay took over the draft in 2014, Dallas has had 13 draft picks named to at least one Pro Bowl.
"It's not frustrating because it means we've done a good job with the draft," Jones said, adding, "that's a sign in my mind that our organization -- Will and the scouting department and the coaches that have been through here -- we've done our job of developing players."
The way the Cowboys approach free agency puts added pressure on the draft process.
Perhaps Smith's replacement at left tackle will be their first-round pick, at No. 24, or their 2022 first-round pick, Tyler Smith, who was named a Pro Bowler at left guard last season. Perhaps their lead running back will be their second-round pick, at No. 56. Perhaps Dallas will find a wide receiver, center, linebacker and whatever other position of need with its other draft picks.
The Cowboys also need the 2023 draft class to make major improvements. Defensive tackle Mazi Smith, their first pick (at No. 36), produced 15 tackles and a sack as a rookie as his weight dipped below 300 pounds. Their second-round pick, tight end Luke Schoonmaker, caught just eight passes. Third-round pick linebacker DeMarvion Overshown missed his rookie season with a torn ACL in his left knee. Fourth-round pick defensive end Viliami Fehoko Jr. did not play a snap. Fifth-round pick offensive tackle Asim Richards played little. Same with running back Deuce Vaughn (sixth) and wide receiver Jalen Brooks (seventh). Eric Scott Jr., a sixth-round pick, did not play a snap either.
Given the talent the Dallas roster had in 2023, it was difficult for those players to make an impact as rookies. That can't be the case in 2024.
Two 2022 draft picks -- second-rounder Sam Williams, a defensive end, and third-rounder Jalen Tolbert, a receiver, must be prime contributors now that Armstrong and Gallup are gone. In the past three years, the Cowboys have drafted offensive linemen Josh Ball, Matt Waletzko and Richards. At the very least, one of them has to be the swing offensive tackle in 2024.
None of it really sits well with a fan base that has grown frustrated with a 28-year Super Bowl drought, an embarrassing wild-card exit in the playoffs in January and now the loss of some stalwarts with little done -- yet -- to replace them.
Jones said the Cowboys are aware of the frustration.
"How can you not be aware?" Jones said. "It's frustrating for us as well. I mean this is something -- whether it be [owner/general manager Jerry Jones], whether it be myself, whether it be Will, the coaching staff, the organization, our family -- I mean those are all things that no one wants it more than we want it. And I know our fans want it.
"Certainly it's very understanding that there's frustration. Until we go do something about it, we can go win 12 games again next year, but everybody's going to be looking at 'What are you going to do in the playoffs?' We understand that's where the bar is and that's where the bar should be."