2014 Cowboys free agents: Danny McCray

Danny McCray
Position: Safety
Type: Unrestricted
2013 salary: $630,000




Summary: After finishing second on the team in tackles in 2012 with 87, McCray had one defensive stop in 2013. Since he arrived as an undrafted free agent in 2010, he had been the Cowboys’ best special teams player, but he had only eight special teams’ tackles in 2013.

Why keep him: He can still contribute on special teams and can play on defense, although it should be noted the coaches never put him in the mix at safety despite the struggles of Jeff Heath and J.J. Wilcox.

Why let him go: The Cowboys did not want to pay him the tender offer of roughly $1.2 million last year as a restricted free agent, so they gave him a $100,000 signing bonus and the $630,000 base salary. If they thought he was too expensive last year, then he can’t figure in their plans in 2014.

Best guess: McCray has a big fan in former special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis, who is now with the Chicago Bears, and heading there could be an option as he can continue to be a top special teamer. But his time with the Cowboys appears to be over.