There are impending IDP free agents all around the NFL. Here, I will examine how those free agents may affect different teams. Today, we look at what the future may look like for the Dallas Cowboys.
The 2023 impending IDP free agents for the Dallas Cowboys are opening the door for some young and hungry players. Three notable defensive players become unrestricted free agents on March 15th at 4 pm eastern time. The possibility of these players re-signing with the Cowboys also exists.
The Cowboys will be keeping their defensive coordinator in 2023. Dan Quinn notified all teams interested in him as a head coach that he will return to the Cowboys for the 2023 season.
1. Anthony Brown, CB
Anthony Brown just completed his seventh season with the Cowboys. Unfortunately, he tore his achilles tendon in Week 13. He turns 30 years old during the 2023 season, and I do not believe he will return to the Cowboys. This makes Brown the first of the Cowboy’s impending IDP free agents for 2023.
He He has consistently provided very appealing stats to his resume year after year. Brown had four years where he played at least 15 games. In those four seasons, he averaged 56.5 tackles (46 solo), 2 tackles for a loss, 11 passes defended, 1.75 interceptions, and a forced fumble. He played nearly 100% of the snaps.
Who benefits if Brown leaves?
My pick for the beneficiary of a Brown departure would be DaRon Bland. The rookie cornerback was a fifth round pick out of Fresno State. At 6′ 2″ and 200 lbs, Bland is the perfect size to dominate in the defensive backfield. With his 4.46 40 yard dash time, he can stay with most outside WRs.
Bland got his chance to show what he could do starting in Week 8. In those 10 games, he showed that the stage was not too big and that he belonged in the NFL. Bland produced a respectable 50 tackles (34 solo), 6 passes defended, and 4 interceptions in those 10 games. He added another 18 tackles (10 solo), and a pass defended in his two playoff games.
The snaps and production being abandoned by Brown’s probable departure is significant. Those snaps and production could be the key to a 2023 championship. Because of this, you need to get the player most likely to step into that role for free. Check today and do what you know must be done. Make a claim for Bland.
2. Leighton Vander Esch, LB
Leighton Vander Esch just completed his fifth year with the Cowboys. Drafted in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, he became a starter and was selected to the 2018 Pro Bowl while playing all 16 games of his rookie season. Vander Esch posted 140 tackles (102 solo), 2 tackles for a loss, 7 passes defended, and 2 interceptions. He has never replicated those rookie year numbers since.
Vander Esch has been the true definition of an injury prone player. Because of all the injuries, he has missed 16 games over the last four years. During these four years, Vander Esch has suffered neck, shoulder, collarbone, and ankle injuries.
He only surpassed 90% of the defensive snaps this past year three times in 2022. The Cowboys can not trust him to be always available, so Vander Esch becomes the next of the impending IDP free agents.
Who benefits if Vander Esch leaves?
Damone Clark is sitting in the shadows and waiting to continue his rise to stardom. He was drafted just this past year in the fifth round of the NFL draft out of LSU. Clark started getting some playing time in Week 8 and showed his worth to the Cowboys as a rookie.
He played 10 games in his rookie year and had a defensive snap percentage of 11% to a best of 83% in Week 18. Clark delivered with 47 tackles (29 solo), 1 tackle for a loss, and 2 forced fumbles. Now that Clark got his feet wet, it is time for the Cowboys to give him the keys to this defense as the new starting Mike (middle) linebacker.
Price check his value today, before the news of Vander Esch comes out, and it is too late.
3. Dante Fowler Jr., DE
Dante Fowler just completed his seventh year in the NFL on a one year contract with the Cowboys. The Cowboys are his fourth team in his disappointing career after being selected third overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2015 NFL Draft.
He posted just 27 tackles (22 solo), 7 tackles for a loss, 9 QB hits, 6 sacks, 2 passes defended, and 2 forced fumbles in his one year with the Cowboys. I am pretty sure this will make him the third of the impending IDP free agents. He will probably be looking at his 5th team in 2023.
Who benefits if Fowler leaves?
Sam Williams is the clear choice for a Fowler departure beneficiary. Dallas drafted him in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft. Williams flashed as a rookie on multiple occasions. He played in 14 of the 17 games of his rookie season. In those 14 games, his defensive snap percentage was anywhere from just 10% to a max of 40%.
He broke 25% of defensive snaps just seven times. Out of his approximate 270 snaps, Williams posted 22 tackles (15 solo), 10 tackles for a loss, 9 QB hits, 4 sacks, 1 pass defended, 1 forced fumble, and 3 fumble recoveries.
Demarcus Lawrence is turning 31 in a couple months. Dorance Armstrong is another defensive end that is an important piece to Quinn’s defense. After starting hot, Armstrong really cooled off from week 12 on. Because of these two players situations, Williams is primed and ready to be the next superstar defensive end for the Cowboys.
Do what you must now to ensure he is on your 2023 roster. The sooner, the cheaper the cost will be.
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