2020 NFL Free Agency: Two targets the Dallas Cowboys could pursue

The Dallas Cowboys should look towards free agency to address a few needs on the roster, which has already begun with the legal tampering period in full swing.

The Dallas Cowboys have just hit quarterback Dak Prescott with the exclusive free agent tag to no surprise and the hope is that the two sides can reach a long-term agreement in the near future.

Per ESPN Insider Adam Schefter late Monday night, wide receiver Amari Cooper intends to sign a massive deal with the Cowboys, worth up to $100 million dollars. This locks up the Boys’ number one wideout for the next five years.

Fans aren’t quite sure what plan owner Jerry Jones has for the Cowboys organization during free agency primarily because of the pending Cooper deal and the hopeful future signing of Prescott.

With other roster needs in mind, here are two free agents that would be immediate upgrades for the Dallas defense and wouldn’t hurt the payroll all that much.

1. Adrian Phillips, S

The former Los Angeles Chargers safety and 2018 All-Pro (special teams) is a significant upgrade over free agent safety Jeff Heath. The best thing about Phillips is his ability to play anywhere on the field.

For the Chargers Phillips played safety, linebacker, inside the box, single high, in the slot and he can play man or zone coverage. Not to mention his impact on special teams as well.

Phillips isn’t regarded as one of the top safeties in the league but he does deserve more buzz than he gets credit for. The bottom line is he’s a consistent player that can sure up the back-end of any defense in the league. Something Dallas desperately needs.

With the safeties available in free agency, the Cowboys should take a hard look at Phillips over the likes of other lower-tiered safety free agents such as former Las Vegas Raiders safety Karl Joseph. Bringing Phillips in now would allow the Cowboys to select a top-rated cornerback in the draft, considering the departure of cornerback Byron Jones

2. Damon Harrison, DT

Cowboys fans recognize this name oh so well. Former New York Giants and Detroit Lions defensive tackle Damon Harrison, who goes by the nickname Snacks is a game wrecker on the defensive front, primarily in the run game.

We have seen the Cowboys get gashed in the defensive interior far to often. Harrison can be a solution to this issue and for a reasonable price. If I had a wish list for the Dallas offseason plans. Harrison would be high on it, respectively.

With a lot left in the tank, the Cowboys need to pull the trigger on signing a player of his caliber. Besides, maybe he’s hinting he wants to be in Dallas anyway.

https://twitter.com/snacks/status/1237892110860177408

One of Harrison’s biggest strengths is eating up double teams and pushing the interior of the pocket. The Cowboys haven’t had a player consistently do that over a course of a season. Harrison can free up linebackers Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch, while also taking some pressure off of defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence.

There are numerous ways the Dallas Cowboys can go about free agency. And it should dictate the way they draft. But for the most part, the Cowboys are usually quiet and wait for the later waves of free agency. Yet, with a new head coach and staff installed, perhaps they’ll take a different approach in the coming days.