Despite the many speed bumps that lie ahead of this team (insert Cap situation here), fans should take refuge in this year’s upcoming Draft. There are holes to be filled, this is true, but The Dallas Cowboys are not the only ones with many questions and very few answers at the moment. Every team is going through their rosters right now and trimming what they can to have a chance in Free Agency. Last year The Cowboys made their moves swiftly because they had the cash to make those necessary upgrades to attempt the “best player available” approach in The Draft.

Nov 18, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) under pressure from Cleveland Browns defensive end Jabaal Sheard (97) as he got past Dallas Cowboys tackle Doug Free (68) at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Although there are not too many “flashy” or “sexy” picks in this year’s class, there are plenty of skill players The Dallas Cowboys should feel good about. People, it is no surprise that this team lost a lot of their battles in the trenches and this has to be rectified. They can no longer put “Band-Aids” on gaping wounds.  The options in Free Agency will be very limited, if any, they will most likely find a few role players for bargains. Don’t get me wrong, I trust that Stephen Jones will be working magic once again to help alleviate any pressure he can; but that also comes with a price further down the road.

I cannot yet analyze Free Agency adequately because I’m not sure of what may or may not be there to work with, so I’m forced to tackle that issue on a later date. Instead, I would like to focus on what this team may have in the new class coming in. This Draft can look meek to some ball clubs depending on their situation. If you are a Cowboys fan though, you should be salivating with what it does offer. In this Draft, The Cowboys can make significant strides that I believe will ultimately lead to a playoff-caliber team.

With that said, I’ve concluded that the Dallas Cowboys must select Linemen with their 1^st and 2^nd round picks. If they decide to help Kiffin first and grab a Sharrif Floyd or a Sheldon Richardson to solidify that 3-Tech Defensive Tackle that is needed; in my opinion they will need to get in position to select a Larry Warford or Justin Pugh in the 2^nd. Let’s say they decide to help Tony Romo first, and they select a Chance Warmack, Jonathan Cooper or even Eric Fisher; than perhaps  a 2^nd round selection of Kawann Short or Brandon Williams would be nice fit.

Many will object and claim that a ball-hawking Safety should be selected in the 2^nd round and some will even say Vaccaro in the 1^st, to that I say: tread lightly dear friends. You see, I’m in Austin, TX, I have had plenty of time to dissect the UT Safety; he is good, but those 1^st and 2^nd picks are too rich for this young blood, and it bothers me that he gives up on plays. Getting a mauler on the Offensive Line or a headhunter on the Defensive Line will better serve this team for years to come. Besides wouldn’t you still like to see what this team could have in a healthy Matt Johnson? He’s not a mind-blower but he does have a knack for being around the ball.

This Draft offers this team a chance to get some real contributors and will add depth to hopefully keep them from decimation. I have faith in Kiffin, Eberflus and Marinelli to develop Crawford, Lissemore, Albright and some of the younger guys who are chomping at the bit for some playing time. I have faith in Jason Garrett, Bill Callahan, and Pollack to finally give the desired attention to this struggling Offensive Line.

If the Superbowl taught us anything this past weekend, it was that those teams have pretty good lines on both sides of the ball. That is what needs to be the blueprint for The Dallas Cowboys this off-season  Indeed this defense needs more turnovers, but this offense can stand less a dosage of sacks on Tony Romo. Shifting focus to getting quality players on both lines could be the difference between mediocrity and greatness.  In closing, I will pose the question to the reader; what would you like to see occur this off-season?

Before we start our shopping list, we should probably review what it is exactly that we need. Quarterback, tight end, the linebacker group and our special teams unit are the strongest spots on the team. While the wide receiver corps and our safety depth could be addressed, they are not pressing needs. The real weakness in the roster is found in our running backs, offensive and defensive lines.

Unfortunately, Dallas has one largely prohibitive factor going against them.  The Cowboys will have one of the worst cap situations of any off-season shopper. So, how do they improve their depth with these restrictive issues facing them? Dallas must do something that they have not been good at in recent years. They need to spend their money wisely.

Here is a list of possible bargain free agents that can improve the weaknesses that the Cowboys have.

RUNNING BACKS

The free agent running back class represents the best opportunity to add talent, possibly at a lower rate than usual due to the wealth of options. These choices can be separated into two categories:

It would be really awesome, but it’s not happening…

This is where you find names like Shonn Greene (too productive), Rashard Mendenhall (too expensive), Steven Jackson (probably going to chase a ring) and Reggie Bush (both expensive and looking for a ring)

Completely plausible, affordable and worth a look…

Dec 2, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; A Kansas City Chiefs running back Peyton Hillis (40) is tackled by Carolina Panthers linebacker James Anderson (50) in the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City won the game 27-21. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Peyton Hillis - At age 27 and averaging only 120 carries per season, Hillis should still have plenty left in the tank. If you throw out his breakout year in 2010, his numbers do not look all that impressive, however the Cowboys do not need him to be a feature back. At 6’2″ 250 lbs, his value would come as a bruising short yardage / goal line carrier that could help improve this team’s failures of scoring touchdowns in the red zone. Lastly, he would not command a high salary and has familiarity with new coach Houston Nutt.

Cedric Benson - Even though Benson is older at age 30, he would represent a much more accomplished option than Dallas is accustomed to. Prior to last season, he had three straight 1,000 yard seasons averaging almost 7 touchdowns per year. He’s also a Texas native and played last year for the veteran’s minimum. A slight boost in pay to be a complimentary back may serve as a wise investment given that he is not too far removed from being a productive lead option if DeMarco Murray should happen to miss a few games due to injury.

Chris Ivory - Ivory represents the type of gamble that Dallas should be taking. He is young, runs with ferocity, has been productive in his few opportunities, is from Texas and can be had since the Saints are in a just as bad, if not worse cap situation than the Cowboys. While Ivory is a restricted free agent, he was also undrafted so the Cowboys would not lose a draft pick if they offered him a deal that the Saints could not or would not match.

OFFENSIVE LINE

As easy as it was to find multiple choices to fill the hole at running back, the offensive line options are quite limited. The dream for any Cowboys fan would be to wake up one day and find out that Andy Levitre, Jermon Bushrod or Phil Loadholt joined the team to solve our woes. Unfortunately these guys are too good, too young and will demand way more money than Dallas can afford. Ultimately, Dallas will certainly need to invest a high draft pick or two to infuse the line with youth and talent but there are a few options available in free agency.

Brandon Moore (RG) - Moore has started 142 of a possible 144 games in his career for the New York Jets. Similar to the aforementioned Saints, the Jets also find themselves in salary cap hell and may not be able to afford him. At age 32, he may come cheaper than expected and if he still commands the $3 million he made last year, this type of splurge would be one Cowboys fans could find palatable.

Matt Slauson (LG) - Another Jet makes the list because much like Brandon Moore, Slauson is extremely durable, starting all 48 games he’s played in. Slauson is six years younger and made far less money last year as well ($615K). That may also make him far more expensive as he is coming into his prime but again, these are the types of calculated gambles winning teams consider.

Sep 13, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Chicago Bears center Chris Spencer (67) during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. The Packers defeated the Bears 23-10. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Spencer (C/G) - Spencer would bring a versatility to the Cowboys as he has played all three interior line positions well. At age 30, he is in his late prime but would be a major upgrade over almost any center or guard on the current roster. His previous contract (2 yrs / $6 million) was inexpensive given his experience and acumen so it is possible that Dallas could afford him.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Much like the running back position, the defensive line is littered with big names and highly talented players. Even though guys like Osi Umenyiora and Cliff Avril will command far more than what Dallas can pay, there are four very realistic options that the Cowboys should seriously consider…

Israel Idonije (DT) – Even though Idonije is 32, he has just recently maximized his talent. Over the last three years, he has registered 20.5 sacks and six forced fumbles. He played in Chicago last year for new Cowboys defensive line coach Rod Marinelli on a one year deal, making $2.5 million per. A two or three year deal for the same type of money could bring him to Dallas to close out his career.

Shaun Cody (DT) - Cody has been the anchor of a stellar Houston Texans run defense and has the type of size (6’4″ 292) the Cowboys need. Coming off a two year deal which he made $2 million each year, the 30 year old Cody could get a slight pay raise or a slightly longer contract to switch Texas teams.

Dwan Edwards (DT) – Another early thirties player, Edwards had a very productive year in Carolina in 2012 with six sacks as an interior lineman. He did make just over $4 million last year so he might not be fiscally reasonable, however since he is nearing the end of his career, he could probably be signed for a similar amount.

Nov 25, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) is sacked by Chicago Bears defensive tackle Henry Melton (69) during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Henry Melton (DE) – Melton would be the youngest of the four options at age 26 as well as the cheapest as he made only $700K last season. He has 13 sacks in his last two years and again was with Marinelli in the Tampa 2 defense of the Bears last year. A significant pay increase, something in the neighborhood of $4-5 million per year could be enough to the Texas native back home.

So there you have it. There are suitable options for the Cowboys to make subtle improvements to the roster while sticking to their budget. Obviously, not all these players can or will be brought in, however if we can land two or three of them, it may make the difference between watching the playoffs and participating in them.