What is the Dallas Cowboys biggest positional need?

As the NFL Draft swiftly approaches, we try to determine what the biggest positional need for the Dallas Cowboys is going into the big event.

Earlier this offseason, I think most agreed that the Dallas Cowboys biggest roster weakness was getting consistent pass rush from their right defensive end position. So finding a premier pass rusher logically seemed like the Cowboys biggest positional need this offseason.

But following a massive exodus due to free agency, including the loss of three former starters, the Cowboys defensive secondary suddenly became a critical area of need. So much so, one Cowboys insider believes safety is now Dallas’ biggest positional need heading into the 2017 NFL Draft later this month.

"“Despite the losses at cornerback and on the defensive line, the Cowboys have covered themselves with efficient signings, such as Nolan Carroll II and Stephen Paea, while giving them the opportunity to address the positions more in the draft,” wrote ESPN.com staff writer Todd Archer recently. “What they haven’t done yet is add a safety, where they lost Barry Church and J.J. Wilcox…In their scheme, a safety is not a high value, but the Cowboys will at least need to add numbers at the position, if not top-end quality.”"

Currently at the safety position in Dallas are former first round selection Byron Jones, special teams ace Jeff Heath and second-year prospect Kavon Frazier. After a stellar performance in the playoffs, many have penciled in Heath as the projected starter next to Jones in the Cowboys secondary.

But both the safety and cornerback positions simply need bodies, as they represent complete voids on the roster. Dallas will find those bodies by promoting players formerly on their practice squad or, more likely, selecting them in the upcoming NFL Draft.

As for finding a pass rusher to play right defensive end, the Cowboys currently have several candidates on the roster. With players like Benson Mayowa, Charles Tapper, and Damontre Moore already on the depth chart, body count is not an issue. The quality and consistency of play is.

That’s why the Cowboys could certainly use their first round selection in the upcoming NFL Draft to take another pass rusher, although filling the position isn’t a real need numbers-wise like corner and safety. Dallas knows they have several candidates who can play defensive end in the NFL. The same can’t necessarily be said for their defensive secondary.

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One other area of the Cowboys roster that has suddenly become a need is offensive line. Dallas expected to lose starting left guard Ronald Leary to free agency, as the talented lineman expressed his desire to be traded last season. Leary wanting to move on from the Cowboys was understandable after he was replaced in the starting lineup by La’el Collins two years ago.

But when Collins was placed on Injured Reserve due to a toe injury last season, Leary stepped back into his starting role and earned himself a four-year, $36 million deal from the Denver Broncos this offseason as a free agent.

On top of Leary’s exit, longtime starting right tackle Doug Free announced his intentions to retire this offseason. That leaves two major voids along the Cowboys starting offensive line which are surrounded by three perennial Pro Bowlers in left tackle Tyron Smith, center Travis Frederick and right guard Zack Martin.

Collins will assume one of those positions, likely at left guard, as he returns from his toe injury. The other starting role, which will probably be at right tackle, former 2015 third round selection Chaz Green is the current favorite to assume the position. Although Dallas did sign offensive tackle Byron Bell late last month, a free agent with experience who has started 72 games in the NFL.

Still, the Cowboys offensive line needs could also be addressed in the draft as Dallas must find more quality depth to sure up the roster. And considering Green’s injury history, the Cowboys could be looking for a possible plug-in starter as well.

Next: Ranking every top-10 pick in Dallas Cowboys’ history

As of now, I do believe the Cowboys defensive secondary has leapfrogged defensive end and their offensive line as the team’s biggest need going into the 2017 NFL Draft. And the choice between cornerback and safety for being Dallas’ biggest positional need likely hinges on whether you trust Heath as a starter or not.

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