Joe Mixon, Derrick Henry & Aaron Jones (To Vikings): Can Cowboys Make Noise - 'Within Our Means' - in Free Agency?

As expected, the Dallas Cowboys were very quiet as the NFL's "legal tampering period" began. Is it time to make some noise at running back?

If you listen closely, you can hear the collective groan of Dallas Cowboys fans as their franchise sat on their hands as the NFL's "legal tampering period" began.

Now, this is nothing new, as long-time fans know that the Cowboys are generally big players when it comes to free agency, but what has transpired or hasn't leaves a team with an absurd amount of pressure on it to perform in 2024 with a lot of work to do.

As expected, Tony Pollard (Titans), Dorance Armstrong and Tyler Biadasz (both Commanders) left via free agency - leaving a "Losers'' feeling to Day 1 - and the Cowboys now have more roster holes to fill.

That leaves the Cowboys needing to sign four starters (offensive lineman, running back, linebacker, and a run-stopping defensive tackle) ALL from the draft. Based on last year's draft class, that seems like a tall order.

Now, it has only been one day, so it isn't exactly at panic stations yet, but is this "bad management'' (as Dez Bryant asserts) by Jerry Jones and the Cowboys hierarchy? Let's use the prism of the running backs market as a gauge ...

Consider Austin Ekeler's move to the Washington Commanders. A two-year deal worth up to $11.43 million, which isn't even $6 million APY. That seems affordable for the Cowboys.

Then there's Derrick Henry, who has always seen his name linked with Dallas. Only this time, it actually makes sense ... even as CowboysSI.com has written repeatedly that the Titans star is not being heavily pursued by Dallas.

Saquon Barkley was a serious problem with the New York Giants, but now put him behind the Philadelphia Eagles offensive line, and you have a big problem. Suddenly, Dallas' run-stopping weakness will get a litmus test twice a year.

Additionally, the Packers signed Josh Jacobs (4 years, $48 million), the Giants signed Devin Singletary (3 years, $16.5 million), the Bears signed D'Andre Swift (3 years, $24.5 million), the Chargers signed Gus Edwards (2 years, $6.5 million), the Patriots signed Antonio Gibson (3 years, $11.25 million) and the Bengals signed Zack Moss (2 years, $8 million). ... Moss, by the way, did receive a call from Dallas, for what it's worth.

Time for a Dallas move? For something more than a "call''?

Dez Rips Cowboys 'Bad Management,' Worries About 'Losing Season'

NFL Network's Jane Slater says she was told the Cowboys are "shopping within their means" ... Again, that doesn't scream "all in."

Henry now has an offer from Baltimore. Meanwhile, the Packers have cut Aaron Jones (CowboysSI.com has reported that Dallas has interest here, but now comes word he's signing with the Vikings) and the Bengals have cut Joe Mixon.

Several teams entered attack mode as the legal tampering period began, snapping up valuable chess pieces to improve their rosters. As for the Cowboys, they seem perfectly content with sitting back and letting the chips fall where they may, as Jerry Jones' "all in" statement now seems like a marketing ploy.

'All In' Cowboys Early Losers in Day 1 Of NFL Free Agency

As our Mike Fisher has often stated, "Sometimes the Cowboys seem like a marketing company that plays football on the side.'' That statement resonates now after a Day 1 of the free agency period in which Dallas was among the few teams that literally did nothing.

The Cowboys have tried to create the impression that their approach will be "different.'' We didn't buy it then. And pending some movement - at running back or elsewhere this week - there is no reason to buy it as it applies to 2024.