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3 Biggest Areas of Need for the Cowboys This Offseason

By Scott Rogust

The Cowboys have three glaring needs entering the offseason.
The Cowboys have three glaring needs entering the offseason. / Corey Perrine/Getty Images

The Dallas Cowboys started off the new 2020 league year by placing the franchise tag on quarterback Dak Prescott, which was an obvious move that needed to be made by owner Jerry Jones. But now, the Cowboys now have to get to business to try and return to the playoffs in 2020.

They still have areas that need to be addressed, and these three positions stick out for sure.

3. Defensive End

The Cowboys defensive ends underperformed last season.
The Cowboys defensive ends underperformed last season. / Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

As all football fans know, teams need an effective pass rush to have a successful defense. The Cowboys appeared to have that with Robert Quinn and DeMarcus Lawrence. If we told you Quinn would outperform Lawrence, you'd call us crazy, but that was the case. On a one-year deal, Quinn recorded 11.5 sacks and 22 quarterback hits. Meanwhile Lawrence, who signed a massive five-year, $105 million deal last offseason, posted just five sacks and 16 quarterback hits. Now, Quinn is hitting the open market, and considering Lawrence's underperformance, the Cowboys need to find a quality complement for him on the opposite side of the defensive line.

2. Wide Receiver

The Cowboys have question marks on the wide receiver depth chart.
The Cowboys have question marks on the wide receiver depth chart. / Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images

The Cowboys appeared to have their wide receiver corps all figured out after trading for Amari Cooper midway through the 2018 season. Now, they have some questions entering the new league year. The only proven wideout under contract right now is Michael Gallup, and now that the team placed the franchise tag on quarterback Dak Prescott, Amari Cooper has all but officially been subjected to the open market. Dallas is facing the real possibility that it loses the former first-round pick out of Alabama in free agency. It's a tricky situation, so expect the Cowboys to continue to address the wide receiver position.

1. Safety

With Byron Jones gone, the Cowboys will need a safety/cornerback hybrid.
With Byron Jones gone, the Cowboys will need a safety/cornerback hybrid. / Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

Given that the Cowboys threw money at DeMarcus Lawrence, Ezekiel Elliott, and Dak Prescott, the Cowboys have no money to try and retain stud defensive back Byron Jones. Even though they're set to lose their star corner, their safety depth is even worse. Besides Xavier Woods, the only other player at that position is 2019 sixth-round pick Donovan Wilson. With the safety market pretty barren in free agency, the Cowboys are in prime position to select one in the first round with Alabama's Xavier McKinney and LSU's Grant Delpit coming to mind. They need to replenish the depth chart, and fast.