2007 Dallas Cowboys Off-Season Team Needs

By Jeremy Dunklin

Must

Free Safety

We have had major problems at free safety the last three seasons since Darren Woodson retired. This need must be filled in free agency or the first two rounds of the draft. The free agent market seems bare with Deon Grant and Kevin Kaesviharn being the only suitable options. The draft is extraordinarily deep at free safety. There are five prospects capable of coming in and manning the FS position from Day 1. These guys are Reggie Nelson, LaRon Landry, Michael Griffin, Eric Weddle, and Brandon Meriweather. I think we fill this need in the draft since there are so many good FS prosects.

Guard

I think Marco Rivera is as good as gone after blowing another disc in his back. He is 35, and we know how poorly he played his first season with a back problem. Kyle Kosier is a good starting quality guard, but you have problems if he is your team's best guard. I think we will spend the big bucks on guard. Kris Dielman or Eric Steinbach are both intriguing options. If we wait until the draft, I would suspect us to spend a 1st or 2nd round pick on a guard. Basically, we need to either pick up a safety or a guard in free agency so we can use our 1st round pick on whichever position we didn't fill with a veteran.

Need

Veteran QB

This position really needs to be filled, but I can't put any backup position as a must fill. We will most definitely sign one however. Tim Rattay seems to be the perfect hit. He has really good career numbers, and he is similar in style to Tony Romo so he is a good fit. Brian Griese, Joey Harrington, and Damon Huard are other options.

Outside Linebacker

Even with Greg Ellis coming back, we need some depth at OLB. Coming back from a torn Achilles' tendon on the wrong side of 30 is always difficult. Guys like Kevin Burnett could flourish under Wade Phillips, but they bottom line is no one on this roster stepped up when Ellis went down so I don't see how we can go into next season with the same group of guys. I really like the thought of signing Tully Banta-Cain. He isn't a superstar, but he is a good solid guy capable of giving you 5-8 sacks a seasons. He wouldn't cost too much, and his signing wouldn't alienate Greg Ellis like signing Adalius Thomas or LaVar Arrington would.

Nose Tackle

Jason Ferguson was probably the Cowboys' best player on defense. He will be able to play at least two more seasons, but we need to start developing a young guy at NT since we seem committed to the 3-4 in the long run. Not only do we need a young NT to groom, but we need another guy for depth purposes because we would be in trouble if Jason Ferguson got hurt for an extended period of time.

Wide Receiver

This is a need no matter what happens with Terrell Owens. We need to start developing a young receiver that can team up with Crayton in the post-Glenn/Owens era. I expect us to use a first day pick on a speedy wide out.

Want

Backup Center

I'm assuming that we will re-sign Andre Gurode because we would be stupid for not doing so. A proven backup or a first day choice on a center would be great. If not though, we could make it with the current players Joe Berger and E.J. Whitley battling it out for the backup center spot.

Cornerback

Aaron Glenn can't play forever. I believe that Jacques Reeves is capable of being a nickel corner, but I wouldn't bet much money on it. You can never have enough cornerbacks and we haven't brought in any new ones in two years. If Anthony Henry moves to safety then cornerback would replace safety as a must.

Offensive Tackle

I'm pretty happy with our tackle situation. Flozell Adams is entering the final year of his contract, but I see no reason not to extend his contract. Even if we don't we can use his salary to sign a younger version of himself next season. I hope we re-sign Marc Colombo because I think he will only get better with more experience. The old coaching staff loved Pat McQuistan and Jason Fabini is an awesome veteran backup. If we retain Colombo, I see little reason to bring in another guy who will simply push Fabini or McQuistan off the roster.

Project QB

I would love for us to be able to spend a first day pick on a quarterback with starting potential in case Tony Romo isn't the player I think he is. Even if Romo's good, and if you find the next Matt Schaub you are going to get plenty in return. This want should only be filled if every other position on this list has been filled.

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