Ranking the Dallas Cowboys Five Biggest Team Needs

We attempt to rank the Dallas Cowboys five biggest team needs as America’s Team heads into free agency and the NFL Draft.

With a whopping 20 unrestricted free agents possibly heading to the open market next month, the Dallas Cowboys have some big decisions to make soon. And those choices will help shape the Cowboys strategy heading into the NFL Draft in late April.

Therefore, trying to rank the Cowboys five biggest team needs is a bit tricky. For example, both starting cornerbacks Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne are currently free agents. If Dallas elects not to re-sign either of them, than the position of cornerback shoots up the rankings. If the Cowboys elects to retain one or both of them, the urgency in which the team needs to add another cornerback is far less important.

For this particular ranking, we’ll assume the Cowboys are not bringing back any of their unrestricted free agents for the 2017 season. Those players include (according to DallasCowboys.com):

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QB Kellen Moore
QB Mark Sanchez
RB Lance Dunbar
RB Darren McFadden
WR Brice Butler
WR Terrance Williams
TE Gavin Escobar
G Jonathan Cooper
G Ronald Leary
DT Richard Ash
DT Jack Crawford
DE Ryan Davis
DT Terrell McClain
LB Andrew Gachkar
LB Justin Durant
LB Rolando McClain
CB Brandon Carr
S Barry Church
CB Morris Claiborne
S J.J. Wilcox

Without assuming the Cowboys re-sign any of the above players, here’s our ranking of Dallas’ five biggest team needs by position.

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#1 – Defensive End

It’s no secret the Cowboys need a dominate pass rusher. Whether it be via free agency, the draft or a trade, Dallas must absolutely, positively find themselves a “War Daddy” who can put pressure and bring down opposing quarterbacks from the right defensive end position.

#2 – Cornerback

Chances are the Cowboys will not bring back both Carr and Claiborne. That leaves veteran Orlando Scandrick and 2016 sixth round rookie Anthony Brown as their outside starters. I expect Dallas to try and keep Scandrick in the slot. Re-signing either Carr or Claiborne for at least one more season allows you to do that. Then I see the Cowboys making this position a major focus in the upcoming draft.

#3 – Wide Receiver

With both Terrance Williams and Brice Butler currently free agents, the Cowboys need to find a solid number two to pair opposite of All-Pro Dez Bryant. A speedy free agent like DeSean Jackson would be perfect. But Dallas is unlikely to make a big splash in free agency. Instead, look for the Cowboys to bring back the cheaper Butler and try to find a late round gem at the position via the draft.

#4 – Safety

With both Barry Church and J.J. Wilcox potentially leaving Dallas this offseason, suddenly the strong safety position becomes a major need. Although the Cowboys do have Jeff Heath and Kavon Frazier waiting in the wings, don’t be surprise if Dallas finds a safety they like in the early rounds of the draft. Just two years ago the Cowboys spent their first round pick on Connecticut defensive back Byron Jones, who is currently the team’s starting free safety.

#5 – Quarterback

With Tony Romo expected to be traded or released this offseason, and both Mark Sanchez and Kellen Moore free agents, the Cowboys could potentially have no one on the roster behind Dak Prescott at quarterback this offseason. I expect Dallas to find a reasonably-priced veteran back-up via free agency, maybe someone like Josh McCown. The Cowboys might also try to find themselves another Dak in the later rounds of the draft as well.

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Going past the top five, I’d consider running back, tight end, and offensive tackle to also be some of the Cowboys bigger team needs heading into the offseason. There is our list. What’s yours? What are Dallas’ biggest team needs in your opinion? Let us know down below in the comments section, through Facebook or find us on Twitter @LandryHat.

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