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The Dallas Cowboys season has ended and it is time to refill the cupboard. Before we head out the door though, we need to take a peek and make a list of our needs. What are the position needs that the Cowboys must fill?

1. Offensive Line. The game against the Minnesota Vikings exposed a weakness that I thought was brewing in the last 3 years. Flozell Adams just completed his 12th season with the Cowboys, could the Cowboys be thinking it is time to give Doug Free a legitimate shot to start there soon? Robert Brewster was drafted this past season, but suffered a torn pectoral muscle in preseason that put him on the injured reserve list. He probably won’t be ready to break the starting lineup. The Cowboys just signed to keep Travis Bright, practice squad. Here is a list of free agents on the line right now.

• Unrestricted Free Agent: Montrae Holland (wasn’t active the entire season)
• Restricted Free Agent: OT Pat McQuistan, C Duke Preston, C Cory Procter

I personally don’t see these players that will make an impact for the Cowboys in the coming season. Do the Cowboys go free agency to improve? I believe they will, but I don’t expect a big name to be available. I see more of a possibility by going through the draft.

2. Safety. This past season the Cowboys did make a smart move in bringing in Gerald Sensabaugh. Many people were not happy with Ken Hamlin’s play, but during the games that he was out, I thought I saw a drop off in play from that position. Alan Ball has been working in the safety position the last couple of years and has played in a few games and I believe I saw some improvement from him, but still needs some more work. Pat Watkins just seems to be stuck on special teams and not making any impression of making it as a safety. The Cowboys drafted Michael Hamlin this past year, but a wrist injury slowed his progress after showing a promising training camp performance. Here is a list of free agents (both restricted) for this position:

• S Gerald Sensabaugh
• S Pat Watkins

I do hope the Cowboys can sign Sensabaugh to a long term contract, but I think otherwise the Cowboys will go through the draft for this position.

3. Defensive Line. Jay Ratliff was a beast at the defensive tackle position and Igor Olshansky proved to be great free agency pick up. Marcus Spears just finished his final year of his rookie contract and is now a restricted free agent. He has had an up and down career while here as a Cowboy, he did his job pretty well of stuffing the run at times, but I wasn’t particularly impressed. I think it might be a business decision as the Cowboys may go with Jason Hatcher or Steven Bowen, both are also on the restricted free agency list, who may be smaller contracts. Junior Siavii came out strong early in the season, but dropped off near the end. One other player to keep an eye on as well is Marcus Dixon, practice squad. The Cowboys have been impressed with him and may find his way into the rotation at defensive end. Here is the free agency list for this position.

• Stephen Bowen
• Jason Hatcher
• Junior Siavii
• Marcus Spears

I think the Cowboys will look to go with Bowen, Hatcher, Dixon, and go draft again for younger players.

These are the three positions that I see as a priority to go for. Jerry Jones has said they will not need any more wide receiver help. He has basically called out Martellus Bennett saying he needs get some focus and get down to business.

One other possible move may be in the running backs. Felix Jones, in my opinion, has become the lead back of the Cowboys. Marion Barber signed a huge contract a couple of years ago, but hasn’t been the same Barber that finished games. Tashard Choice has shown the he is fully capable of starting as a running back as well. The Cowboys will be on the hook with Barber’s contract so I don’t see them trading him away. The Cowboys may let Choice have an opportunity to start somewhere else through a trade. I don’t want that to happen because I think he could bring a lot more than a “Razorback”-style of back.

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By Dave Trollope
SJ Advisor/Contributing Author, Blogger