IRVING, Texas -- Despite their need at cornerback, the Dallas Cowboys will not tender Sterling Moore a contract as a restricted free agent, allowing him to sign elsewhere.
Moore played in every game in 2014, starting seven and solidifying the cornerback spot when Orlando Scandrick was suspended for the first two games and when Morris Claiborne was lost for the season in the fourth game with a knee injury.
He did not intercept a pass but he led the Cowboys in pass deflections with 14. The coaches credited him with 49 tackles.
While Moore will become an unrestricted free agent, the Cowboys will give the low tender to running back Lance Dunbar and punter Chris Jones worth $1.542 million. Because Dunbar and Jones were undrafted free agents, the Cowboys would not receive compensation if they sign with the other team, but the tender is not guaranteed.
Dunbar has been the Cowboys third-down back the past two years, catching 18 passes for 217 yards and picking up 99 yards on 29 carries in 2014. Jones averaged 45.4 yards per punt with a 39.8 yard net average. He had one punt blocked for a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks.
At cornerback, the Cowboys want Brandon Carr to take a paycut from his $8 million base salary and are not sure Claiborne will be ready to play by training camp.
The Cowboys’ fourth restricted free agent, wide receiver Cole Beasley, signed a four-year deal worth $13.6 million last Wednesday to stay with the team.