Now that the Super Bowl has been played and free agency is approaching in a month, the Last Word On Sports NFL department will be looking at the top three needs for each team. Today, the Dallas Cowboys are the focus. The Cowboys have the 27th pick in the 2015 NFL Draft and a few key players will hit the free agency market this year, most notably wide receiver Dez Bryant and running back DeMarco Murray.
Dallas Cowboys 2015 Offseason: Top 3 Needs
Cornerback
Brandon Carr could be a cap casualty this offseason and Morris Claiborne has been a bust so far in his professional career. Orlando Scandrick played well, but at least one more solid cornerback is needed. Matt Stafford and Aaron Rodgers each threw for about 300 yards on this secondary in the playoffs. If the Cowboys want to make it further next season, shoring up the secondary must be a top priority.
The Cowboys must draft an impact cornerback in one of the first three rounds of the draft. Marcus Peters (Washington) and Trae Waynes (Michigan State) are two possible selections if they are available in the first round. The Cowboys won’t have enough money to spend on an elite cornerback like Darrelle Revis in free agency, so fixing this need through the draft is their best option.
Defensive Line
Anthony Spencer, Nick Hayden, and George Selvie are all free agents, so the depth along the defensive line is lacking. Additionally, the Cowboys finished 28th in the NFL with only 28 sacks during the entire 2014 season. Even if the aforementioned players return, a dynamic pass rusher is desperately needed. Dallas is hoping that 2014 second-round pick DeMarcus Lawrence will be that guy, but that certainly isn’t a sure thing. Getting younger defensive linemen to generate more pressure could transform an average defensive unit.
Whether they draft a defensive end or a defensive tackle, the Cowboys will be looking for a defensive lineman early in the draft. If a valuable pass rusher is still available in the first round, don’t be surprised if the Cowboys pull the trigger. Signing an impact starter in free agency is unlikely due to the salary cap situation, but they could look for depth players if their three free agents go elsewhere.
Running Back
I’m going to assume that DeMarco Murray does not return to the Cowboys. Obviously this isn’t a need if he does return, but unless the Cowboys severely harm their future salary cap space by restructuring their big contracts, they won’t have room for Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray. Lance Dunbar and Joseph Randle are decent running backs, but the Cowboys won’t be able to maintain the offensive balance that worked extremely well for them this year without picking up another impact rusher.
If Todd Gurley is available, the Cowboys could select a scary replacement for DeMarco Murray. Assuming Gurley returns to full strength after rehabilitating his knee injury, this pick makes sense. His physical rushing style has generated comparisons to Marshawn Lynch, and few teams would pass up a healthy Marshawn Lynch. If the Cowboys decide to patch this position in free agency, they could look to sign Mark Ingram for much cheaper than DeMarco Murray. Virtually any quality running back they put behind that offensive line will look impressive.
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