Dallas Cowboys Free Agency Targets By Position
By Jimmy Long
![(EDITORS NOTE: CAPTION CORRECTION) Oct 4, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; St. Louis Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson (22) reacts after a defensive stand against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Rams won 24-22. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports (EDITORS NOTE: CAPTION CORRECTION) Oct 4, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; St. Louis Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson (22) reacts after a defensive stand against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Rams won 24-22. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/TheLandryHat-cover-d859ab2e65e01c4bdcc899d31d340e7e5d8846c10b4832b96552da0d30649086.jpg)
Linebackers
Three of the Cowboys losses this offseason come from the linebacking corps. Thankfully, none of their core players will be off the roster. The departing players are Justin Durant, Andrew Gachkar, and Rolando McClain.
Obviously McClain played no role in 2016 and likely isn’t a part of this teams future plans. Justin Durant was serviceable to pretty good during his time on the field. However, with the emergence of Damien Wilson, I don’t believe any of these linebackers need to be retained.
If Dallas adds anything to this group, I would expect the player to come from the draft. They already have a young core of guys, and of course, All-Pro Sean Lee.
Secondary
Perhaps the biggest loss this offseason comes in the secondary. The Cowboys are poised to lose 3 of their 4 starters from the base defense. Safeties Barry Church and J.J. Wilcox will be gone, along with cornerbacks Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr.
From this group, I would say re-signing Church is a priority. He is a leader to this defense and one of the Cowboys best players at generating takeaways. Wilcox should be brought back on a team friendly deal if the Cowboys can’t retain Church.
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As for the corners, I would guess the front office would like Carr back on a team friendly deal, and is prepared to let Claiborne walk. If the Cowboys were to spend money, I could see them pursuing Trumaine Johnson from the Rams. He has the length and instincts to be an elite corner. I’m a big fan of his play. Besides him, there aren’t any free agent corners that excite me.