Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys

In 2024, he became a full-time impact defender and his production jumped across the board. In 14 games he made 58 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions, 12 pass breakups, and three forced fumbles. This is the season where he started to look like a true NFL corner making more plays on the ball, more involvement in run support, and an expanded usage which was seen in his tackles for loss totals.

The most tangible reason to trade for Gary instead of waiting for him to hit the market was control over the financials. Had Gary been free to sign anywhere, a bidding war would have likely drove up his price. Instead, by acquiring his current contract (which no longer had guaranteed money), the Cowboys got leverage to rework his deal.

A 2022 fifth-round pick by the Commanders, Howell made his first career NFL start against the Cowboys during the regular season finale of his rookie campaign. That next season, the North Carolina ended up being a full-time starter for Washington. He went 4-13 in his 17 starts, completing 63.4 percent of his passes for 3,946 yards, 21 touchdowns, and a league-leading 21 interceptions.

Dallas is going to re-sign defensive end Sam Williams to a one-year, $3 million deal, per Mike Garafolo and Jane Slater of NFL Network. After coming back from his torn ACL, Williams was looking to prove himself to be the edge rusher the Cowboys hoped he would become after being drafted in the second round.

Steele remains what he's always been, a strong run blocker with more lapses in pass protection than you'd generally like to see. His strengths and weaknesses are better suited to what Brian Schottenheimer and Klayton Adams are doing offensively, which improved his long-term outlook. His warts become even more tolerable now after the pay cut, dropping his total contract value by about $12-$15 million.

You might feel a little nervous about trusting Blue and Mafah as the depth, given their mutual inexperience. Both barely played as rookies, and Blue's long period in the coaches' doghouse is concerning. But his performance in the finale, and positive remarks from coaches in the aftermath about his journey, indicates he may have matured enough for greater trust.