Dallas Cowboys sign Marquez Valdes-Scantling

The Cowboys' one-year, $1.49M signing of Marquez Valdes-Scantling earns a B- Contract Value Index (CVI), reflecting a low-risk depth acquisition that slots efficiently into Dallas's current roster construction without meaningful cap strain. At this price point—essentially a veteran minimum deal—the team is absorbing minimal financial exposure while adding a depth piece to the receiver room; even if Valdes-Scantling produces nothing, the salary footprint is negligible. The value equation hinges entirely on opportunity cost: for a franchise sitting at 7-9-1 and outside playoff positioning with the regular season still 91 days away, a one-year prove-it deal allows the Cowboys to evaluate late-camp performance without long-term commitment. The CVI grade reflects that this is exactly what you'd expect for a depth signing in the preseason window—no discount for an unknown or unproven scenario, but no premium either, because there's no meaningful upside leverage or strategic advantage baked into the structure. Given Dallas's current trajectory and the modest salary, this move represents sound cap discipline rather than a statement acquisition.