Dallas Cowboys free agency 2017: Top 5 targets

Sep 25, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne (24) and defensive tackle Terrell McClain (97) and teammates celebrate recovering a fumble in the third quarter against the Chicago Bears at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

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Aug 11, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; (Editors note: Caption correction) Baltimore Ravens running back Terrance West (28) carries the ball past Carolina Panthers linebacker David Mayo (55) and middle linebacker A.J. Klein (56) at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports /

3. A.J. Klein

The Cowboys have some questions in the secondary. While they hope to get an emergence in Jaylon Smith, nothing is for certain, and he should be eased in nonetheless. Justin Durant and Andrew Gachkar are free agents this year and with the potential that neither will return, there is a need for depth and some potential starter talent in the Cowboys linebacker corps.

This again is not a move that they can just go out and buy the top guy on the market. On top of that, with their draft pick, it is tough to see a potential player who could step in from the early rounds. This makes Klein, a smart and reliable option.

Klein has been a reliable backup since being drafted by the Panthers. He has not had to start much, thanks to Thomas Davis and Luke Kuechly, but he still has 23 career starts, and seven starts last season. He did adequate in replacement of Kuechly and showed that in the right scheme, he has the upside to be a starter. He is a better run defender in the box, but with Sean Lee, and Jaylon Smith who should be great out in space, and in the box, run down linebacker is a great fit for the group. A chance to start for a playoff team may be able to get Klein on a very reasonable price.

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