Just in: ‘Disrespected’ Ex-Cowboys WR Cole Beasley Urges Pro Bowler to Sign With Dallas
If anyone knows how to stick with a former team, it’s former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Cole Beasley, who left Dallas after seven seasons to play for the Bills in 2019. But Eisley is doing something to show there are no hard feelings. They are campaigning to draft Giants star Saquon Barkley, the top running back on the free agent market, to help the Cowboys fix their sloppy running game.
Beasley tweeted /X this week. “@saquon I hope you go to Dallas. Embracing the old team you didn’t respect is refreshing. “Laugh out loud”
Beasley, who was with the Giants this year, has experience with that. He was a regular in Dallas, showing solid and consistent production over seven seasons, but left after failing to fill the role he envisioned in the offense. Ah, money. He left because Buffalo gave him a four-year, $29 million deal and the Cowboys couldn’t match him. Beasley was fortunate that the Bills played Dallas in Week 13 of the year he left. And a stark reminder of what he can do: Beasley had one of the best games of his NFL career with 110 yards and six receptions in the Bills’ win. Cowboys sign Saquon Barkley means two Giants games a year.
If Barkley wants to use his upcoming free agency to get revenge on his former team, the Cowboys would be a good place to land. President Tony Pollard is starting to decline as a free agent after a disappointing season, but Barkley meets with the Giants twice a year. Taking Barkley would give the Cowboys a threat on the edge, but he’s not expected to be too expensive. And the positives are also important. Barkley was a Pro Bowler in 2022, but slipped in 2023 when the Giants’ offense declined. He was sidelined for three games with a leg injury and slowed his performance for much longer. He finished the year with 962 yards on 247 carries, averaging 3.9 yards per carry. Those numbers may deter other contenders, but the Cowboys have to admit that Barkley can play in his comeback year. Analyst site 33rd Team rated Barkley the best on the emerging free agent market. In Barkley he wrote:
“Saquon Barkley turns 27 next month and he’s had a serious injury. As of the 2020 season, Barkley is averaging 4.0 yards per carry. Much of that is due to the New York Giants’ offensive line, but age doesn’t stop them from being just as explosive. Barkley remains a dynamic weapon in the open field, and defenses have to account for someone on every play. But his days as a top-five player in the NFL may be over.
The resale market is still evolving
Still, he would be a good fit in Dallas behind one of the best offensive lines in the league. Banks won’t go bankrupt either, as the after market has suffered a severe financial downturn in recent years.
Barkley is expected to have a market value of $6.6 million per year, per Spotrac, and is expected to sign a three-year, $20 million contract. That’s within the budget of a seven-heavyweight team like Dallas. If that’s the market, it makes sense for the Cowboys to aggressively pursue it. Pro Football Focus is a bit more bullish on the free agent market, projecting a two-year, $22 million deal for Barkley. Then it may not be available in Dallas.
