The Dallas Cowboys have a bunch of holes on their roster, thanks to a whopping 30 players who ended the season with the club but aren’t under contract for 2020.
We’ve already looked at free agents the Cowboys should heavily consider bringing back, as well as those they should let walk. Now, it’s a look at a handful of names from other teams they should target in an effort to improve under new head coach Mike McCarthy.
Given the number of free agents looking to jump at the chance for their next payday, the raw number of departures will still have to be replaced. McCarthy also was starved of free agent additions in Green Bay and he could clamor for some attention. Positions such as tight end, defensive line, linebacker, secondary and offensive line would are likely to be pinpointed. Several big names could be the one to two splash players. While Eric Ebron seems like a prize to go after, his blocking woes could keep him out of consideration.
DT D.J. Reader
Reader will be in high demand and may end up hitting the jackpot as he shops his wares across the league. The Cowboys could end up valuing him over any other prospect as the middle of their defense must be fortified thanks to the alarmingly slow development of Trysten Hill.
LB A.J. Klein
The arrival of Mike Nolan as defensive coordinator and the status of the current linebackers set to return makes it important to nail down a third player at the position that is capable of full-time snap availability. Klein is a solid veteran who will be able to speak to the expectations of the unit in the system Nolan will import.
TE Marcedes Lewis
McCarthy considers the tight end a vital piece of his offensive design and the player has to be able to assume the diverse job responsibilities both as a blocker and pass catcher. Lewis can still help in the run game and would be a good enough mentor to Blake Jarwin and a helpful stopgap for any rookie that the Cowboys may select in April.
OG Joe Haeg
The guard position needs to be shored up in terms of depth in the event Connor Williams is slow to rebound from his ACL injury. New OL chief Joe Philbin got 14 starts out of him during his one year stay with the Colts. His additional versatility to fill in at either guard or tackle is a big factor in his favor.
OT Jason Spriggs
Like Haeg, this is another familiar OL face that will be intriguing to both McCarthy and Philbin. The 48th overall choice in the 2016 draft fizzled out in Green Bay after failing to progress after deal with a number of injuries. Spriggs could still be a consideration if the staff still sees qualities in him that enticed the Packers four selection meetings ago.
Other possibilities: DT David Onyemata, FS Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix, DT Mike Daniels, FS Damarious Randall
You can chat with or follow C.C. on Twitter @boozeman811.
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