The Dallas Cowboys were curiously inactive in early free agency, but they managed to address a couple of pressing needs over draft weekend.

Specifically, first-round pick Tyler Guyton and third-round pick Cooper Beebe will have a chance to replace departed left tackle Tyron Smith and center Tyler Biadasz, respectively. Second-round pick Marshawn Kneeland can help replace the pass-rushing depth vacated by Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler Jr.

Dallas did turn back to the free-agent market post-draft, signing former running back Ezekiel Elliott to a one-year, $2 million deal. The Cowboys may not be done bargain-hunting, though, with just $4.5 million in cap space remaining, they may also have to get creative with their contract construction.

Here, we'll examine three available free agents Dallas should pursue in the post-draft window of free agency.

RB Rashaad Penny

Elliott may already be back at the top of a Dallas depth chart that also includes Rico Dowdle, Royce Freeman and Deuce Vaughn. The Cowboys seem confident that Elliott can lead a functional backfield.

"It's a group by committee. What he'll add to that group, we're excited about it," vice president of player personnel Will McClay per Joseph Hoyt of Lone Star Live.

It's fair to wonder just how efficient Elliott can be, however. He averaged just 3.5 yards per carry with the New England Patriots last season and hasn't averaged over 4.0 yards per carry since 2021.

Dallas could use more of a breakaway threat in the backfield, which is why taking a flier on Rashaad Penny would make perfect sense. Penny wasn't regularly used by the Philadelphia Eagles last year, and injuries have prevented the 2018 first-round pick from ever becoming a star.

However, Penny has shown a tremendous burst when healthy, as evidenced by a 5.6 yards-per-carry career average. Penny could provide a potentially potent change of pace, and after playing on a one-year $1.4 million deal in 2023, he'll likely be open to a team-friendly contract.

Update: ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported on Monday that Penny plans to sign with the Carolina Panthers.

WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling

The Cowboys have one great receiver in CeeDee Lamb and a lot of questions after him. Brandin Cooks was mostly just fine in 2023, Jalen Tolbert is still developing and Michael Gallup is gone.

Dallas did take a sixth-round flier on Southern Missouri State's Ryan Flournoy, but it could stand to have more depth at receiver.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling is one of the more notable names left on the market, and his skill set would also fit with the Cowboys. The speedy, if sometimes inconsistent, receiver can play on the perimeter or in the slot. He would also give Dallas another potent deep threat to help back off opposing defenses.

Valdes-Scantling had his fair share of ups and downs with the Kansas City Chiefs over the past two years, but he came up big in the 2023 postseason. He caught eight passes for 128 yards and a touchdown in the playoffs and had two grabs on Kansas City's overtime game-winning drive in Super Bowl LVII.

For a Cowboys team that hasn't advanced past the divisional round since 1995, Valdes-Scantling's Super Bowl experience could be quite valuable—if Dallas can land him on a team-friendly deal.

CB Xavien Howard

Dallas didn't add secondary help in the draft until it selected Wake Forest cornerback Caelen Carson in the fifth round. While the Cowboys are expected to have Trevon Diggs (ACL) healthy and on the field in 2024, it couldn't hurt to add more depth at the corner position.

Bringing back 2023 trade acquisition Stephon Gilmore could be an option. Gilmore was a very solid starter for Dallas in 2023, though that fact could put his price point out of the Cowboys' range.

According to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News, there is "nothing imminent" on a potential Cowboys-Gilmore reunion.

Instead, the Cowboys should kick the proverbial tires on four-time Pro Bowler Xavien Howard. A foot injury hampered his 2023 campaign, but the 30-year-old was widely considered one of the league's premier pass defenders before that.

And Howard might be able to take a budget-friendly deal if it means making a deep playoff run.

"I'd rather take a pay cut to go to a team that's going to go further in the playoffs," Howard told The OGs podcast (h/t NFL.com's Kevin Patra).

Howard would immediately boost Dallas' secondary and might do it at a bargain price. The Cowboys' challenge might be convincing the talented defender that they can go farther than they have in recent years.

*Cap and contract information via Spotrac.