Dallas Cowboys: Top Free Agent Signings In Team History

With the NFL free agency period well underway and entering the second week, teams are doing what they have to do to get top players signed and off the market as soon as possible. Over the years there have been some free agents that turned out to be worth the money that was spent on them while others were complete busts after getting that payday.

The Dallas Cowboys are a team that has been known over the years for signing some solid players to build their team with or to replace players that have left to play for other teams. This season the Cowboys were left in a tough situation when running back DeMarco Murray hit the market.

Murray ended up signing a lucrative deal with the Philadelphia Eagles leaving a hole in the Cowboys backfield. To help fill that hole the Cowboys turned to Darren McFadden.

While it is still unclear on whether or not McFadden was a good or bad free agent signing, there have been plenty of players that have had great careers while wearing a star on their helmet.

The best free agent signing by the Cowboys was when they picked up wide receiver Drew Pearson when he went undrafted in the 1973 draft. Pearson ended up spending his entire career with the Cowboys and became one the best receivers in franchise and league history.

Pearson spent 11 seasons with the Cowboys where he made 489 receptions for 7,822 yards and 48 touchdowns in 156 games. He really stepped up when the playoffs rolled around in 22 post season games with the Cowboys, Pearson had 67 receptions for 1,105 yards and eight touchdowns.

Pearson was such a good receiver he was called “Mr. Clutch” because of some of the amazing plays he made. He was even on the receiving end of the Cowboys famous “Hail Mary” reception that sealed a win against the Minnesota Vikings in the divisional round of the 1975 playoffs that secured a win and eventual trip to the Super Bowl for the Cowboys.

During those 11 seasons with the Cowboys, Person was selected to three Pro Bowls, four times as an All-Pro, and an ALL-NFC selection five times. Pearson was also a part of the Cowboys Super Bowl XII championship team and a member of the NFL 1970’s All-Decade Team.

Pearson was named to the Cowboys Ring of Honor in 2011. He is still waiting on a Hall of Fame induction and should not be. Pearson should have been selected to the Hall of Fame years ago. It’s a shame the league has not honored one of the best receivers to ever play the game.