Cowboys Move Tank & Tyron Money, $45 Million in Total New Cap Room - What’s Next in Free Agency?

After a quiet first day of the NFL's legal tampering period, the Dallas Cowboys made several moves to ease the fanbase's frustration.

We said at the onset of this offseason that the Dallas Cowboys could easily create $50 million of cap room.

What a difference a couple of days make … as they are now up to $45 million in new space.

The Cowboys sat on their hands during the first 24 hours of the legal tampering period, but on the second day, the signings came thick and fast.

And in Wednesday’s Day 3? More action.

5 #ZEKE THINGS
1- He’ll be post-June 1 cut, saving #Cowboys $10.9M.
2- Cap eat is $6M.
3- Got well-earned audience w Jerry to end it.
4- #EzekielElliott believes bigger $ & role elsewhere.
5- Football warrior. Monumental move. Respect the outgoing RB. https://t.co/XpImtdZoYw https://t.co/VX4Pb1OkZZ

— fishsports ✭ (@fishsports) March 15, 2023

The Ezekiel Elliott cut will provide Dallas about $11 mil of room after June 1. But for now? The Cowboys’ restructured the contract of DeMarcus Lawrence to gain $9 million of room, that coming on the heels of similar “switch flips” on Dak Prescott, Zack Martin and Michael Gallup.

The Cowboys have restructured the contract of DE DeMarcus Lawrence, opening up $8.89 million in room, per sources. He is the fourth player they have restructured in the last two weeks Dak Prescott, Zack Martin and Michael Gallup, freeing up nearly $45 million in cap space.

— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) March 15, 2023

Result? About $45 million in cap space.

Oh, one more: Tyron Smith just agreed to a paycut to stay with Dallas.

The Cowboys have reworked the contract for Tyron Smith, who will return to the team in 2023. Smith has worked with the team on a contract that is cap-friendly but has play-time incentives as well.

— Nick Eatman (@nickeatman) March 15, 2023

And the use of all of that money?

First, Donovan Wilson signed a reported three-year, $24 million deal. Then came the news of Stephon Gilmore being the latest name to call The Star home as the Cowboys traded a 2023 fifth-round pick to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for the All-Pro corner - an absolute steal.

That’s good business...but Dallas wasn't done.

Then Leighton Vander Esch was re-signed on a two-year, $11 million contract, and in an exclusive chat with CowboysSI.com, the "Wolf Hunter" is happy to be returning to Frisco.

So, after Cowboy nation desperately wanted moves, Dallas obliged, locking away two starters on defense and adding another. … while also creating spending room.

Now, can we expect there to be movement on a potential deal for a wide receiver? 

Odell Beckham Jr. now reportedly wants $15-$20 million APY, which certainly makes a deal rather tricky. We can't forget about DeAndre Hopkins either, but per Jane Slater of NFL Network, the Cowboys have yet to mention it, and there is nothing in the works right now.

Those names are clearly at the top of everyone's wish list, given that Stephen Jones stated that Dallas wants to sign a "playmaker with juice," it will take time to get a deal done with either receiver.

Even Minnesota Vikings receiver Adam Thielen has attracted "potential interest" from the Cowboys.

So, the Cowboys were relatively quiet and then secured several deals to solidify their defensive unit and ease the "panic" of Cowboy nation.

Now, after a good 48 hours, the Cowboys might just shift in this free agency period and turn their attention to the offensive side of the ball.

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