The Dallas Cowboys are coming into the offseason with Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray as the priorities for free agency and Jerry Jones may use the franchise tag on Bryant in an attempt to keep both players and if that doesn't happen, the team could look Adrian Peterson, Marshawn Lynch, Frank Gore, Mark Ingram and Ben Tate as potential options.
The Cowboys had a strong season and won the NFC East division and now they are working to lock up their two stars. According to ESPN.com, the Cowboys may consider using the franchise tag on Bryant as they try and work out a long term deal. Bryant has expressed his dismay with the franchise tag, but the team wants some security in trying to sign back Bryant and this could give them that chance. Murray is expected to get some attention on the market and if the Cowboys don't bring him back, he easily will find work elsewhere.
Jones spoke after the season about how hard it would be to sign both players, but he said that the Cowboys would work at bringing them back. The cap situation is tight right now for the Cowboys, with Tony Romo's deal and some other contracts, but Todd Archer at ESPN Dallas writes that the team has chances to clear space this offseason. Archer writes that some players are coming off the books and Brandon Carr could be in line to get released or could be asked to take a pay cut from his salary.
Carr is set to make a high salary and if he is cut, the team could save about $8 million and the team also can look at reworking Romo's deal to open up at least $12 million. The team has other moves to make as well, including restructuring Tyron Smith's deal and that could help the team keep Murray. Archer writes that the Cowboys may learn from past mistakes, as they gave Marion Barber a huge deal years ago for over $40 million and that did not work out. Archer also adds that if the team loses Murray in free agency, it will be by choice and not because they can't find a way to sign him. With the RB position being devalued and the injury history of Murray, he may not get the money from the cowboys that he wants.
According to ESPN's Ed Werder, Bryant may skip workouts this offseason if he is tagged and while that is not a major concern, it could sow some discord in Bryant's camp. The team wants to get a deal done, but they know Bryant's past issues and may want to take some time to get things together. Either way, Bryant is going anywhere next year and the tag likely will be around $13 million if the Cowboys use it. Last season Bryant had 16 touchdowns and over the past three seasons he has had 41 touchdown catches, the most in that span.
Murray had over 400 touches last season and with him at 27 years old already and his past injury issues, Andrew Brandt at MMQB writes that the Cowboys could be weary of giving him big money. Murray was healthy for 16 games for the first time in his career and rushed for a career best 1845 yards, but that also could contribute to him not getting signed due to the wear on his body. The Cowboys could turn to Adrian Peterson or Marshawn Lynch as options if they are released, while Mark Ingram and Frank Gore are options on the free agent market.