'Cheap' Cowboys Falling Behind in NFC East? New Power Rankings Reveal Slippage via Free Agency

After a 'cheap' and uneventful first week of free agency, the Dallas Cowboys risk being caught by their NFC East rivals.

The first week of free agency has passed, and despite plenty of talent still available, attention is turning toward the upcoming NFL Draft. Or at least that seems to be the case for the Dallas Cowboys, who, despite losing several contributors in free agency, have only made one outside signing in addition to re-signing their own.  

While the Cowboys were essentially bystanders, their NFC East rivals were making moves. Last season's second-place Philadelphia Eagles signed star running back Saquon Barkley and young edge rusher Bryce Huff, among others. 

The Washington Commanders stole several free agents from under the Cowboys' nose. The New York Giants also traded for Carolina Panthers' pass rusher Brian Burns.

So, where do things stand for the Cowboys - see their Free Agency Scorecard here - in the latest NFL.com power rankings? 

10. Dallas Cowboys 

"The Cowboys have lost quite a bit early on, including two starting offensive linemen, their starting running back, two pass rushers who combined for nearly 700 snaps in 2023, plus depth in other spots, ..." Eric Edholm writes. "Given the limited salary-cap space available, the Cowboys might have to make a cheap but smart veteran addition or two along the way."

Clutchpoints

The Cowboys' drop to No. 10 is four spots from their previous position in the rankings, which may not be as bad as many expected after a rather uneventful first week of free agency. 

However, with that drop, the Cowboys were passed by likely their biggest challenge to winning the NFC East next season, the Philadelphia Eagles. General manager Howie Roseman's continually aggressive moves have seen the Eagles bounce right back up in the rankings to the No. 6 spot after a late-season collapse. 

Meanwhile, despite the trade for Burns, the Giants aren't any closer to "catching" the Cowboys according to these power rankings as they slotted at No. 27, while the same can be said of the Commanders at No. 31. 

The top nine: KC, San Francisco, Baltimore, Detroit, the Bills, the Eagles, the Texans, Green Bay and the Bengals.

This paints the picture that despite the fans' frustration, the Cowboys sold a false vision of going "all in" and have instead continued what they've always done—build through the draft. The Eagles are the only competitor within the division that the Cowboys need to worry about, as the Giants and Commanders are still lagging far behind. 

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Though, winning the NFC East hasn't been a problem for the Cowboys over the past quarter-century of futility. They've won the division eight times since their last Super Bowl in 1996. 

The problem has been getting past the Divisional round in the postseason, and judging by their offseason, this looks unlikely to change for the Cowboys.