3 offseason moves Cowboys can make to fix awful defense

In 2021, the Cowboys defense will need to be better if they want to win. 

Jerry Jones refuses to admit when he’s wrong. When that happens, the rest of the Dallas Cowboys and their fanbase suffers.

Although the team is sitting at 4-9, Jones announced earlier this week that first-year coach Mike McCarthy will stay in his job. A proven winner during his days in Green Bay, McCarthy’s win count will keep him employed for next season. Here’s hoping Jones doesn’t regret it and things improve.

“This isn’t his first rodeo. He’s done it,” Jones said of McCarthy on 105.3 The Fan earlier this week. “I think that is important.”

McCarthy will be back and so will most of the offense. Jerry wants to keep Dak Prescott and is willing to franchise tag him a second time. If the offensive line can return healthy, the offense as a whole could be in for a rebound year.

The defense though is the concern and one offseason won’t fix it. With massive contracts, plus a lackluster number of players that can’t tackle, the franchise will have to reset on that side.

Here’s several moves that can make a rebuild feel more like a tune-up overall.

What moves should the Cowboys make to fix the defense?

3. Trade down in the draft and load up on picks

Depending on how the final three games go, Dallas could end up being 5-11 or perhaps 7-9. If it’s the earlier, the Cowboys are cementing their status of picking in the top five, the first time since 2016. During that draft, they elected to go with Ezekiel Elliott over All-Pro Jalen Ramsey.

This time, they need to just move down.

If the team is set on Prescott as their quarterback, a top-five selection will be worth a hefty payday due to the options near the top of the quarterback prospects.

With names like Penn State’s Micah Parsons or Alabama’s Patrick Surtain moving down big boards, Dallas could still add a top defensive name while garnering more picks.

The Cowboys roster has far too many holes on defense to justify risk-taking on an early pick. Add more selections, take more talent and truly rebuild from the ground up.