Dallas Cowboys Team Needs for 2012

Dallas Cowboys:
2011 record: 8-8
Offense: 375.5 YPG (11th), 262.6 Pass YPG (7th), 112.9 Rush YPG (18th), 23.1 PPG (15th)
Defense: 343.2 YPG (13th), 244.1 Pass YPG (23rd), 99.1 Rush YPG (7th), 21.7 PPG (16th)

2012 Notable Free Agents: S/CB Alan Ball, S Abram Elam, TE Martellus Bennett, OG Derrick Dockery, P Mat McBriar, WR Laurent Robinson, LBs Keith Brooking, Anthony Spencer, Bradie James

The Cowboys finished the year as a pretty mediocre team, but one that blew plenty of opportunities to make the playoffs.  The Giants came back to win the NFC East in Week 17, and the Cowboys definitely have room to improve from this 8-8 season.



The major area to address is the pass defense, which is pretty easily the worst unit on the team.  CB Terence Newman is starting to show his age on the field, and isn't a top cornerback anymore.  Mike Jenkins has constant injury issues, and even when he's on the field is only a mediocre cornerback.  The same goes for Alan Ball, who also may leave in free agency.  Safety Gerald Sensabaugh has played well for Dallas and will still be in town, while safety Abram Elam would seem to be one of the players the Cowboys try to retain.  He was one of the best tackling safeties in the league according to Pro Football Focus and will likely be back next year, especially since he's played under Rob Ryan in Cleveland and now Dallas.  The Cowboys should be looking to draft at least 2 players in the secondary, and probably should consider investing a top pick in a cornerback given the increased reliance on the passing game throughout the NFL this season.

The front 7 will remain largely intact as the starting defensive line of Kenyon Coleman, Jay Ratliff and Jason Hatcher will return as incumbent starters.  DeMarcus Ware and Sean Lee, the best two Cowboys linebackers, will also return in 2012.  Anthony Spencer plays 3-4 OLB opposite Demarcus Ware and will be hitting free agency looking for a pretty decent payday.  After a season of 4 forced fumbles and 6 sacks, he showed he can put pressure on the quarterback if he's not the main threat, but a lesser team is sure to pay him as an elite pass-rusher at some point.  The Cowboys should try their hardest to bring him back, but if they're not able to, they may make an all-out play at DE/OLB Mario Williams, who is also a free agent this offseason.  If they don't bring back Spencer or sign Williams, 3-4 OLB is a huge need early in the draft.  At inside linebacker, veterans Keith Brooking and Bradie James are free agents.  Bradie James may be brought back, but I'd look for the Cowboys to let both leave and give 2011 draftee Bruce Carter from North Carolina a chance to start in the middle.  There are plenty of inside linebackers available this offseason, so that's not nearly as large of a priority.

On offense, it all starts up front with the Cowboys.  The Cowboys' line allowed 39 sacks this season, and could definitely use some revamping.  While Tony Romo had another solid season, he still was pressured far too often for comfort.  Center Phil Costa was an adventure at center to say the least, constantly feeding poor snaps to Tony Romo, and was one of the worst starting centers in the NFL this season.  Center consequently may be the Cowboys' biggest need.  With the 14th pick, however, it may be a bit early to take a center, so I'd look for them to take a center in the middle rounds or sign a solid free agent.  All I know is Costa will not be the starter in 2012.  Starting LG Derrick Dockery also hits free agency this year, but wasn't all that great in Dallas, and suffered injuries just like the rest of the Cowboys' interior line.  They can probably rest easy at tackle knowing that Tyron Smith is a solid tackle and will be on their line for years to come, and Doug Free can probably shift to right tackle and be decent.  But look for the Cowboys to add 2-3 interior linemen this offseason.

Lastly, we get to the skill positions, where the only major loss is that of WR Laurent Robinson.  Out of nowhere, Robinson starred in the Cowboys' offense.  With Miles Austin and Dez Bryant either hurt or performing their disappearing acts respectively, Robinson was the mainstay of the Cowboys' offense this year in the slot, and should be in line for a decent-sized payday in free agency.  It's likely that a bad team like the Browns will take a shot on overpaying Laurent Robinson and hoping that he produces like he did in 2011, so don't expect him back as a Cowboy. Miles Austin, Dez Bryant, and Jason Witten should be enough in their receiving corps however, and if Demarco Murray stays healthy, he has the potential to be a top ten RB.  The Cowboys should probably add one slot receiver this offseason, maybe a late pick in the draft, and could probably use an additional RB for depth as they cut Tashard Choice and Sammy Morris isn't all that special.  With Jon Kitna's retirement, finding a backup QB may become a priority as well if the Cowboys don't believe in Stephen McGee.

Team Needs:
1.) Secondary: This secondary is dreadful, and needs help, fast.  Their first pick should be a cornerback or safety if they can help it.  Dre Kirkpatrick (Alabama) would be a no-brainer if he somehow falls to the 14th pick.  Free agent options include Carlos Rogers, Cortland Finnegan, Brent Grimes and S Laron Landry.
2.) Center: Phil Costa can't remain the starter if the Cowboys want to be real contenders.  Jeff Saturday, Andre Gurode, and Nick Hardwick are available in free agency should the Cowboys be interested.  If they opt for the draft, prospects like Michael Brewster (Ohio State) and Ben Jones (Georgia) could be available at their second round pick.
3.) Guard: While the Cowboys did address this by drafting two interior linemen in last year's draft, both suffered injuries and didn't contribute, so they can't be counted on to produce this year.  There are a couple elite free agent guards available, but this almost certainly will be addressed in the mid rounds of the draft.
4.) Linebacker: If Anthony Spencer leaves, the Cowboys will certainly look to address their left outside linebacker hole quickly, and could even use their first round pick on a guy like Nick Perry (USC), Melvin Ingram (South Carolina), or Courtney Upshaw (Alabama).  As for inside linebacker, the Cowboys will have plenty of alternatives in free agency to consider such as Stephen Tulloch and London Fletcher.
5.) Wide Receiver: I wouldn't even really call this a need, but losing Laurent Robinson means the Cowboys could use a threat in the slot next year.  The draft's wide receiver class is pretty deep this year and offers plenty of options.  In the 2nd-3rd round range, they could take Joe Adams (Arkansas) or T.Y. Hilton (Florida International); or if they opt to wait until the 4th round or later, players like Jarius Wright (Arkansas), Keshawn Martin (Michigan State) and Travis Benjamin (Miami) will come into consideration.