With NFL free agency officially starting on Wednesday afternoon, teams across the league will be looking to fill roster holes with veterans from other teams.
The Dallas Cowboys have a limited salary cap but will still look to make moves to upgrade their roster this offseason. Here are some areas they need to address:
Running Back
Tony Pollard was the leader of the Dallas backfield each of the last two seasons but is expected to sign a three-year, $24 million deal with the Tennessee Titans when free agency begins. That leaves Dallas with just Deuce Vaughn and Hunter Luepke on the roster, so expect the Cowboys to address the position in free agency and the NFL Draft in April.
A Monday report from the NFL Network suggests that Dallas will not pursue high-profile free agents at the position, but there are still some solid options for the team to add.
Offensive Line
The Cowboys drafted Tyler Biadasz to replace Travis Frederick at center four years ago, but after a Pro Bowl season, Biadasz is off to Washington to join former Dallas defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and the Commanders. Franchise offensive tackle Tyron Smith is a free agent, as is guard Chuma Edoga, a depth player on last year’s team.
That leaves the current roster with Tyler Smith, Terence Steele, Zack Martin, and guys with limited experience in T.J. Bass, Matt Waletzko, Asim Richards, and Josh Ball.
Defensive Line
Dorance Armstrong has also left Dallas to join Quinn in Washington, and three others are currently free agents. DeMarcus Lawrence, Sam Williams, Mazi Smith, Chauncey Golston, and Osa Odighizuwa are among those slated to return, but Dallas could use some more bodies and a real difference-maker along the defensive front.
Linebacker
With the star power of Micah Parsons, it can be easy to overlook the linebacker position. However, the rest of the unit, as it currently stands, includes just Damone Clark, second-year DeMarvion Overshown coming off a severe leg injury, converted safety Markquese Bell, and former Texas A&M standout Buddy Johnson on a futures contract (the offseason version of the practice squad). Add in the uncertain future of Leighton Vander Esch after a serious injury, and the linebacker position looks like a glaring need.
Secondary
A healthy Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland can handle the outside corner spots, and Donovan Wilson has one of the safety spots locked down. However, Jourdan Lewis, Stephon Gilmore, Jayron Kearse, Noah Igbinoghene, and C.J. Goodwin are all free agents, and Dallas may only be able to bring some of them back — if any at all. Bell could move back to safety and continue to step into a starting role, but beyond that, the Cowboys’ DBs have limited experience with just a combined seven career starts and will need someone to step up at the nickelback spot.
