The Dallas Cowboys went from Super Bowl contender to having a top-five draft pick. The injuries to Tony Romo are mostly to blame for that, but the Cowboys have a chance to get back to the playoffs next year. The Cowboys have little in cap space to spend this offseason and several needs they must address. The Cowboys need to get this offseason right, as the franchise and its fans don't want to miss the playoffs again.
The Cowboys will have some tough decisions to make, and what they elect to do will help determine both this season's outcome and the future of the franchise. With that in mind, here are the 3 Toughest Contract Decisions Of The Cowboys' Offseason.
3. Dealing With The Defensive Ends
This was much simpler before Randy Gregory was suspended for four games for testing positive for PEDs (read: marijuana). DeMarcus Lawrence was great last season and Gregory showed flashes. But with Jeremy Mincey and Greg Hardy both free agents (and Hardy unlikely to return), the Cowboys need a new temporary starter and at least some depth.
What The Cowboys Should Do:
For starters, let Greg Hardy walk. He's a bad teammate and the team doesn't need him, despite the issues at DE. Bring Mincey back on a short-term deal. The Cowboys could draft another DE, but their best bet is signing a veteran defensive end. Someone like Chris Long makes perfect sense, as he could bounce back and give the team a strong veteran presence, something Gregory needs. And if the Broncos do cut DeMarcus Ware, then the Cowboys better call him right away.
2. Get A Backup QB
This one is pretty obvious. The Kellen Moore/Brandon Weeden/Matt Cassel combo was a disaster. The Cowboys need to find a backup, and it can't be Johnny Manziel. Given Romo's age, going with a veteran might not be the best move. There are some younger options in both the draft and free agency the team could target.
What The Cowboys Should Do:
Personally, I vote for spending the No. 4 overall pick on a QB. Whether that's Carson Wentz or Jared Goff, the Cowboys would have a Brett Favre-Aaron Rodgers type situation. It wouldn't help the team this season, but it would keep the Super Bowl window open longer. If that's not an option, then go sign a younger QB in free agency or draft one in the middle rounds. Robert Griffin III is a solid option. For more Cowboys coverage, download the Chat Sports Android and iPhone app.
1. Issues In The Secondary
Let's start with what the Cowboys do have. Byron Jones showed promise as a corner and safety. Barry Church can still handle the role of strong safety and Orlando Scandrick will return to handle the nickel corner spot. But that's pretty much it. Brandon Carr could be cut and he hasn't been that great. Of course, that would hurt the team at CB, a position that Dallas is very thin at. Morris Claiborne is a free agent and has been a bust. J.J. Wilcox shouldn't be starting at safety. There will be a few corners on the open market Dallas could add.
What The Cowboys Should Do:
Go ahead and cut Carr to free up cap space. Let Claiborne walk or bring him back on a cheap "prove-it" deal. Spend some of that money freed up by cutting Carr on a second-tier CB. Janoris Jenkins might be too expensive, but Trumaine Johnson might be a better value. Drafting Jalen Ramsey is okay by me if Dallas doesn't want to spend that pick on QB. He's a better version of Byron Jones, and one can play corner and the other free safety. If Ramsey isn't the pick, then a mid-rounder must be spent on the spot. Double-dipping is a good idea as well.