Veteran Free-Agent Contracts Cowboys Must Consider Before Training Camp | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

The wide receiver market is booming, and that created problems for the Cowboys this offseason. Dallas has a star in CeeDee Lamb but little in the way of reliable receiver depth behind him.

Brandin Cooks was a serviceable second option in 2023, but his 54 catches and 657 receiving yards left plenty to be desired. Michael Gallup ranked third among Cowboys wideouts last season with just 418—and he's now with the Las Vegas Raiders.

The free-agent player pool has largely dried at receiver. As would be the case with Cook, though, the Cowboys could consider taking a flier on a former star. Former New Orleans Saints standout Michael Thomas hasn't been a 1,000-yard receiver since 2019. Yet, he wasn't completely ineffective last year.

In 10 games last season, Thomas caught 39 passes for 448 yards and a touchdown.

At worst, Thomas should be a functional replacement for Gallup as WR3. If he could recapture some of his earlier form, however, he could be much, much more. Adding him would be a boom-or-bust risk, but Dallas doesn't have a ton of other options, barring a trade.

Thomas is still carrying an $11.2 million dead-cap hit for the Saints, which could help offset his contract demands to a degree. His value has also taken a significant hit after several down years with the Saints.

Once among the league's highest-paid skill players, Thomas will now have to settle for a "prove-it" contract. A one-year deal in the $2-3 million range with incentives would likely allow the Cowboys to gamble on the former Offensive Player of the Year.

*Cap and contract information via Spotrac.