Grading NFL free agency: How have the Cowboys done so far? - Dallas News (blog)

Ealy, who visited the Cowboys on Tuesday, recorded 15 sacks in four seasons with the Carolina Panthers and New York Jets.

The 2014 second-round pick was traded to the New England Patriots last year but was waived before ever playing in a game. The Cowboys placed a waiver claim on Ealy at that time, but lost out to the Jets.

Additions: LB Joe Thomas, WR Allen Hurns, WR Deonte Thompson, OT Cameron Fleming, OL Marcus Martin.

Subtractions: LB Anthony Hitchens, FB Keith Smith, LB Kyle Wilber, OG Jonathan Cooper

Most significant signing: Hurns, depending on what happens with Dez Bryant. Fleming allows the Cowboys the option to move La'el Collins back to guard.

Most significant loss: Linebacker Anthony Hitchens, who signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on a five-year deal averaging $9 million per season. Hitchens was a valuable piece of the defense and had the ability to play all three linebacker spots. 

Player they should have signed:  The Cowboys should have signed is one of their own: defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence. They were able to keep him on the franchise tag, but he is chewing up $17.143 million in cap room on the one-year deal. The good news: Lawrence is a Cowboy for 2018. The bad news: The likelihood of a long-term deal does not look so good.

Overall: B-minus

Only one team -- the Minnesota Vikings -- received an A from ESPN.

As for the Cowboys' NFC East rivals, defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia received a B+. The New York Giants, like Dallas, got a B-minus, and the Washington Redskins got a C+.

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