Cowboys Urged to Pass on Former $82 Million Playmaker
Time will tell if the Dallas Cowboys will be going “all in” when free agency hits as owner Jerry Jones hinted. There are plenty of notable star receivers that could be available.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout Mike Evans is one of the players who is slated to hit free agency. Could the Cowboys be looking to pair another star receiver with CeeDee Lamb? Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox is urging Dallas to avoid making a run at Evans.
“There’s a very good chance that Dallas will be in the wide receiver market when free agency officially opens on March 13,” Knox wrote in a February 12, 2024 story titled, “Cowboys’ Top Players to Avoid in 2024 NFL Free Agency.” “The Cowboys have some decent depth now, but receivers Michael Gallup and Brandin Cooks are both potential cap casualties.
“…However, Evans is also set to turn 31 in August and is going to command a hefty salary. He has a projected market value of $23.8 million annually, which Dallas could likely only afford with a back-loaded deal,” Knox added.
“With contract extensions looming for both CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott, can’t afford to commit a ton of future salary to Evans, who might only be a temporary fix at the receiver position anyway.”
Evans is likely out of the Cowboys’ price range, especially considering CeeDee Lamb is headed for a lucrative contract extension. Spotrac projections has Dallas more than $20 million above the salary cap for 2024.
The Cowboys have some work just to get below the cap for next season. For context, Evans just completed a five-year, $82 million contract.
Spotrac projects Evans market value to be a four-year, $95.3 million deal. That’s a lot of money for a 30-year-old playmaker to be a team’s second wideout.
Mike Evans Would Give the Cowboys an Elite Red Zone Threat
As for the team fit, Evans would give Dallas a tall, physical receiver who is an elite red zone threat. The Cowboys red zone struggles in 2023 have been well-documented.
