We like our guys. The four most loathsome words in the lexicon of any Dallas Cowboys fan. For those that are (blissfully) unaware, the Dallas Cowboys are among one of the most stagnant teams when it comes to free agency; opting not to seek help from external resources and doing their discount method of promoting from within. Not since Brandon Carr in 2012 has Dallas signed a marquee free agent; choosing to build a large part of their roster by way of the NFL Draft.
While this is irksome to the fanbase – and there are countless examples of free agents that could have helped the team – their approach has worked in their favor more than a few times. With a heavy influence from the vice president of player personnel, Will McClay, the Cowboys have found All-Pros, if not solid players, in the middle and later rounds of the draft.
As stated before, the Dallas Cowboys aren’t as flashy as their reputation suggests. They aren’t big spenders on outside help. What they will do is spend good money to keep their draft picks nearing the end of their contracts. This dates back to Zack Martin & Tyron Smith signing new contracts during training camp. With training camp around the corner, here’s my take on whether to Re-Up or Release members of the 2019 Dallas Cowboys draft class.
Trysten Hill: 2nd Round, 58th overall
It should be noted that the 2019 draft class is going to look light based on only four of their draft picks still being on the roster. After trading their 1st round pick, Trysten Hill was Dallas’ first selection in 2019; and there are good attributes about his game.
He’s got a good get-off due in part to a solid first step. To his credit, when the Dallas Cowboys were abysmal in 2020, he was the player you noticed flashing on the field despite the team’s overall effort being nonexistent. However, for much of his Cowboys career, he hasn’t been available to play due to injuries, poor attitude, or a lack of self-control. This led to him being suspended for one game last season.
Hill is capable of playing either defensive tackle spot, but his time away from the field has opened an opportunity for ascending players Osa Odighizuwa & Neville Gallimore along with the Cowboys becoming surprisingly deep at defensive tackle.
[pickup_prop id=”22270″]
Re-up or Release Verdict: Release
Connor McGovern: 3rd Round, 90th Overall
Connor McGovern is somebody, who despite getting playing time, is an incomplete project. McGovern started 8 games in 2020 for an injury-depleted Dallas Cowboys team and did fairly well. Last season McGovern also started a few games. That included an impressive showing versus Tampa Bay at right guard, before yielding some shaky results starting at left guard in place of Connor Williams.
To the team’s credit, they tried to get creative and get him on the field in as many ways as possible. Mcgovern lined up at fullback, in the slot as a receiver in designed screen plays, and managed to make an impression in an unconventional capacity.
Similar to Trysten Hill, McGovern’s chances for a new contact are unlikely due to newfound competition on the roster. This year’s 1st-round pick Tyler Smith is a lock to start at left guard and the team sees something in last year’s 7th-round pick Matt Farniok.
While Connor McGovern could turn into a reliable starter down the road, it’s not going to happen in Dallas without consistent playing time at one position. With the selection of Tyler Smith in the ’22 draft, it’s likely never to happen.
Re-Up or Release: Release
Tony Pollard: 4th Round, 128th Overall
Agility, Versatility, and a 1-man house call. Tony Pollard might be the most electric player on the roster; yet couldn’t get more involved in 2021 when the offense slumped near the end of the season. Since arriving in Dallas, Pollard has proven he can provide more than just a spark when asked to. Whether it’s showcasing his speed in the open field, maintaining his balance after contact, or making a huge play on special teams, Pollard is that ace in the hole that offensive coaches dream of – or that guy that will put a defense to sleep.
For a team in transition at wide receiver and uncertainty of the long-term stability at tight end, it would make sense if the Cowboys wanted to hold on to Pollard for a little longer; and by extension give a lighter load to Ezekiel Elliott who is entering his 7th season. Through his first three years as a pro, Pollard is averaging over 5 yards per carry and had a career-best of 28 yards per kick return in 2021.
The Dallas Cowboys and their frugal nature, find themselves in a precarious spot. Do you pay a running back given the perceived value at the position when you’re already paying Ezekiel Elliott? Or do you let a talented playmaker walk out the door?
One could suspect that the Dallas Cowboys have limited Pollard’s touches thus far as a means to not price themselves out of his market if they were to approach him with a new contract. The Cowboys have saved substantial cap space after shedding the contracts of Amari Cooper and La’el Collins and have a lot of questions at wide receiver. This could potentially mean Pollard having an expanded role as a hybrid running back/receiver this upcoming season.
[pickup_prop id=”24423″]
Re-Up or Release: Re-Up
Donovan Wilson: 6th Round, 213th overall
What a difference two years make. Back in 2020, Dallas Cowboys fans were singing the praises of the hard-hitting Donovan Wilson; the attitude he brought to a miserable defense that desperately needed it. Since then times have changed. Wilson isn’t the top priority that fans thought he would become on the Cowboys defense.
After missing time in 2021, Wilson missed a great chance to cement himself in the rotation under then-new defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and the absence allowed others to emerge in his place.
Strong performances from Damontae Kazee, Malik Hooker, and hybrid safety/linebacker Jayron Kearse, have diverted the eyes of the coaching staff elsewhere. Meanwhile, Kearse plays the run just as well as Wilson did in 2020 but is a much better defender in coverage, especially against tight ends.
With a bevy of returning players at safety – including 2nd-year players Israel Mukuamu and Tyler Coyle – the safety room looks a lot more crowded than it has been in years past. That can’t be a good thing for Donovan Wilson.
Re-Up or Release: Release
To see this video version of this article click here and follow me on Twitter!
