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Cowboys free agents most likely to depart: Why Dallas could part ways with Maliek Collins, despite DT having his best season

In 16 starts, the defensive tackle had four sacks, three tackles for loss and the Cowboys coaches credited him with 30 quarterback pressures.

The free agency period for NFL players begins at 3 p.m. March 18, and the Cowboys have 25 unrestricted free agents they must evaluate. Not everyone will return retirement, money or skill are all part of the equation. With new coach Mike McCarthy in charge, the 2020 roster will have a much different look. Here is the first installment counting down the five unrestricted free agents most likely to depart in 2020:

No. 5: DT Maliek Collins

2019 impact: This probably was his best season. Collins, a 2016 third-round pick, dealt with injuries for the majority of his time with the Cowboys until last year. In 16 starts, the defensive tackle had four sacks, three tackles for loss and the Cowboys coaches credited him with 30 quarterback pressures. Collins was a valuable member of the defensive line and he enters the free agent market with leverage.

Why Collins is unlikely to return: Money, youth and a possible change in what the Cowboys are looking for on the defensive line could send him free.

On the free agent market, Collins probably will be one of the most sought after three-technique defensive tackles. He played in 71.2% of the defensive snaps, more than any of the pending free agents at defensive tackle. Andrew Billings (61.2%) of the Falcons and Chris Jones (58.5%) of the Chiefs were the behind Collins, but they play more nose tackle. With a new defensive coaching staff, it’s uncertain if Collins fits what new coordinator Mike Nolan is looking for.

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Collins won’t get a massive contract, but he should have quite a few suitors, and that could jump the price for keeping him. Also, the Cowboys will give DT Trysten Hill, last year’s second-round pick, a chance to prove himself.

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Unrestricted free agents (25)

QB Dak Prescott

WR Amari Cooper

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WR Randall Cobb

WR Tavon Austin

TE Jason Witten

C/G Joe Looney

G Xavier Su'a-Filo

DE Robert Quinn

DT Maliek Collins

DL Michael Bennett

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DL Kerry Hyder

DT Christian Covington

LB Sean Lee

LB Joe Thomas

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LB Justin March

LB Malcolm Smith

LB Ray-Ray Armstrong

CB Byron Jones

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CB Anthony Brown

CB C.J. Goodwin

S Jeff Heath

S Darian Thompson

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S Kavon Frazier

K Kai Forbath

LS L.P. Ladouceur

Restricted (3)

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TE Blake Jarwin

QB Cooper Rush

DL Daniel Ross

Exclusive Rights (2)

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NT Antwaun Woods

OL Adam Redmond

Club Option (2)

OT Cameron Fleming

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FB Jamize Olawale

Cowboys UFAs most likely to depart

5. Maliek Collins, DT

4. Robert Quinn, DE

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3. Jeff Heath, S

2. Byron Jones, CB

1. Jason Witten, TE

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