Free agency is a little more than a week away and the Dallas Cowboys still have a lot of work to do. With 25 players scheduled to enter free agency, the Cowboys are in danger of losing a giant chunk of their roster from 2019 — which can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on your proclivities.

Still, deadlines make deals, and new Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy revealed at the combine that the team will be looking to re-sign as many of its free agents as possible.

If that’s the case, which free agents should the Cowboys retain and which should they allow to depart? To answer that, we are going to play a fun game of “Should they stay or should they go?” with Dallas’ 25 free agents.

Let’s dive in:

Dak Prescott

Owning’s vote: STAY

If you think Dak Prescott is going to be playing football elsewhere in 2020, then I have some oceanfront property in Missouri I can sell you. Whether they agree to an extension or Prescott is franchise tagged, the Mississippi State product isn’t going anywhere.

Byron Jones

Owning’s vote: GO

Unfortunately, the Cowboys appear ready to let Byron Jones walk in free agency, which has a good chance of coming back to bite them in the rear end. Jones is a young cornerback who has been one of the most consistent performers over the last two years. The only way this makes sense is if defensive coordinator Mike Nolan believes Jones isn’t a great fit for the new defensive scheme.

Amari Cooper

Owning’s vote: STAY

Amari Cooper is a top-10 receiver in the NFL while only being 25 years old and has built an impressive rapport with Prescott in just 1.5 seasons. The options to replace Cooper in free agency aren’t very enticing, so Dallas should make every effort to re-sign their young stud.

Jason Witten

Owning’s vote: GO

Jason Witten is an iconic Cowboys player and has been one of the faces of the team for the last decade-plus, but he’s become a progress stopper for the team at tight end. Witten’s presence has prevented the team from adequately developing a hoard of tight ends, but that was fine because he was one of the best tight ends in the NFL. He’s not that anymore, as physical deterioration has eroded his ability to separate as a route runner and stymie defenders as a blocker. If he could be satisfied with playing less than 50% of the snaps, then it’d make some sense to re-sign him for his experience and leadership in the locker room. But last year proved that Witten isn’t going to be happy in that kind of role. It’s time to see what Blake Jarwin can do as a starter.

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Robert Quinn (58) celebrates after sacking New Orleans Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) during the second half of play at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, September 29, 2019. New Orleans Saints defeated Dallas Cowboys 12-10. (Vernon Bryant/The Dallas Morning News) (Vernon Bryant / Staff Photographer)

Robert Quinn

Owning’s vote: STAY

If the Cowboys are going to let Jones walk in free agency, they have to find a way to retain Robert Quinn. Losing two of their most productive and impactful defenders from a year ago would be tough for the defense to overcome. Quinn’s speed-rush ability is an awesome complement to DeMarcus Lawrence on the opposite side, and his experience is valuable in the locker room.

Maliek Collins

Owning’s vote: GO

While the Cowboys would probably like to re-sign Maliek Collins, his pass-rush ability could lead to a bigger contract from another team. He finished 11th among all interior defenders in pressures (48), and a team looking for more interior pressure could pay him more than the Cowboys are willing. Pass rush pays in the NFL. Plus, the Cowboys appear to be looking for more size inside.

Randall Cobb

Owning’s vote: STAY

McCarthy has gushed about Cobb at every turn since becoming head coach, which indicates the team is going to make a serious effort to re-sign the veteran wideout. He did have a problem with drops, but Cobb’s savvy route running and ability to find weak spots vs. zone coverage were vital to Dallas’ offense in 2019. Moreover, his presence doesn’t preclude Dallas from adding more receiver help in the draft.

Michael Bennett

Owning’s vote: GO

Michael Bennett was an effective midseason addition for the Cowboys, even though the defense’s overall performance didn’t reflect that. Despite playing in just nine games, Bennett finished fourth on the team in total pressures. With Dallas looking to add more beef to the interior line, Bennett may be a better fit for a team employing a scheme closer to what Dallas played last year.

Sean Lee

Owning’s vote: STAY

Unlike Witten, Sean Lee can still provide effective play and seems more OK with a reduced role on defense. Given Leighton Vander Esch’s neck issue, it’d be smart to have a capable backup who’s ready to step into a starting role at a moment’s notice.

Tavon Austin

Owning’s vote: GO

Tavon Austin’s name value is bigger than his actual impact on games. Austin was signed in part due to his ability to be an effective return man, but in 2019, his 4.9-yard punt return average was one of the worst in the NFL. The Cowboys should be able to find an upgrade in the draft or free agency.

Anthony Brown

Owning’s vote: STAY

Coming off a season-ending triceps injury, the Cowboys should be able to retain Brown for relatively cheap. He’s an effective cornerback who can play outside and in the slot.

Dallas Cowboys center Joe Looney (73) stretches during a Dallas Cowboys training camp practice on Thursday, August 22, 2019 at The Star in Frisco. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News) (Ashley Landis / Staff Photographer)

Joe Looney

Owning’s vote: GO

The Cowboys would certainly be sad to see him go, but after proving capable of providing starting-caliber play while filling in for Travis Frederick in 2018, Joe Looney deserves to go to a team where he can vie for a starting center gig. This also allows 2019 third-round pick Connor McGovern to slide into the primary backup role to both guards and the center position if he can’t beat out Connor Williams for the starting left guard gig.

Jeff Heath

Owning’s vote: STAY

If the Cowboys truly want to dedicate more resources toward special teams, they’d probably make an effort to sign Jeff Heath – who was one of the team’s best special teamers before he became a starting safety. In a perfect world, the Cowboys would find someone who can provide an upgrade over Heath as a safety, allowing Heath to spend most of his time doing what he does best: special teams.

Darian Thompson

Owning’s vote: GO

Thompson is still young (26), so it’d make sense if Dallas wanted to retain him. But with Donovan Wilson looking to take the next step in Year 2, Thompson could find a bigger role elsewhere.

Joe Thomas

Owning’s vote: STAY

The Cowboys would be wise to make Thomas a priority before free agency begins. He’s a very good special teamer and provides outstanding depth at linebacker, as he can back up the MIKE (middle), WILL (weak side) and SAM (strong side) positions.

Christian Covington

Owning’s vote: GO

One of the main objectives for the Cowboys this offseason should be upgrading both defensive tackle spots, whether that be through the draft or free agency. The Cowboys need to spend the money or draft picks necessary to find an upgrade over Covington.

Kerry Hyder

Owning’s vote: STAY

In an alternate timeline where John Owning is the Cowboys’ general manager, the team would make re-signing Kerry Hyder a priority. He’s the perfect rotational defensive lineman for a defense employing multiple fronts, as he can provide effective play for a variety of positions. Depth of the defensive line is important and Hyder is the kind of quality depth that pays off during a 16-game season (or possibly 17).

Malcolm Smith

Owning’s vote: GO

Malcolm Smith was actually pretty good after being signed late last season, but the Cowboys should look to find younger, more developmental linebackers who can pay off more down the line than a 30-year-old who has already reached his developmental ceiling.

LP Ladouceur

Owning’s vote: STAY

LP Ladouceur has been a model of consistency for the Cowboys in his 15 years as a long-snapper with the team and has shown no signs of slowing up despite his age. The Cowboys could opt to go younger here but at such a niche position, why risk it? Just re-sign Ladouceur and be done with it.

Xavier Su’a-Filo

Owning’s vote: GO

Xavier Su’a-Filo has done a pretty good job filling in for Connor Williams the last two years, but the Cowboys would be wise to retain Adam Redmond, who is a restricted free agent, instead. Redmond is younger and has more versatility -- he can play both guard and center -- than Su’a-Filo, and he performed very well at training camp. With McGovern and Redmond, the Cowboys have two young and extremely versatile interior offensive linemen providing depth, which is why it’s easy to allow Su’a-Filo to enter free agency.

Dallas Cowboys holder Chris Jones (6) congratulates new kicker Kai Forbath (3) on his second half field goal against the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, December 15, 2019. The Cowboys defeated the Rams, 44-21. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)

Kai Forbath

Owning’s vote: STAY

Going 10 for 10 in three games with the team last year, Kai Forbath performed well enough to be retained. The Cowboys shouldn’t make the same mistake they made last year with Brett Maher and just hand Forbath the kicking gig, but they shouldn’t let him hit the open market either. His consistency from less than 50 yards (he’s made 90.1% of his kicks from under 50 yards) is a great weapon for the Cowboys to have in their back pocket.

Ray Ray Armstrong

Owning’s vote: GO

Ray Ray Armstrong was signed late last season to provide depth to Dallas’ ailing linebacker corps. Because there’s little chance he makes the 53-man roster, the Cowboys would be wise to find a younger linebacker with development potential to fill the 90-man offseason roster.

Justin March

Owning’s vote: STAY

If Justin March is happy to continue his previous role as a core special teamer, then why not re-sign the 26-year-old? Having said that, it wouldn’t be surprising if he pulled a Damien Wilson and left for a team where he could receive more opportunities on defense.

CJ Goodwin

Owning’s vote: STAY

With Kavon Frazier injured, CJ Goodwin was arguably Dallas’ best special teamer last year, so it would be wise if the Cowboys retained their talented gunner. The only way this doesn’t make sense is if special teams coach John Fassel wants to bring in his own guys from his previous stops to populate Dallas’ units.

Kavon Frazier

Owning’s vote: STAY

When healthy, Kavon Frazier is without a doubt an outstanding special teamer. Frazier was born to play special teams, and his absence was a big reason why Dallas’ coverage units took a significant step back in 2019. One way to prove that Dallas is getting serious about special teams would be to re-sign Frazier before free agency got underway.

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