Dallas Cowboys free agency 2018: Top 5 targets
By Joe Romano
The Dallas Cowboys are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2017 season. Here are who they should be looking at in free agency to get back on track.
Coming off a 13-3 record with the most successful rookie quarterback and running back tandem in NFL history, the Dallas Cowboys looked poised to be a playoff team in 2017. The sage of Ezekiel Elliott’s suspension, coupled with injuries and regression at key spots left them a game away. Now they will turn to the 2018 offseason to reload for another playoff run. The first part is free agency and who the team needs to target with their cap space.
This is the five players they can target, focusing on players that won’t break the bank.
5. Dontari Poe, DT
Former team: Atlanta Falcons
Dallas is coming off a season where both their offense and defense could be described as mediocre. Defensively they have a young secondary, star pass rusher and solid linebacking corps. What they are missing is a big run-stuffing defensive tackle. Those types of players do not come around often. Former second round pick Maliek Collins looks solid in the 3-technique and should be considered the starter there. Next to him needs to be a massive man who can play the 1-technique. That man in this free agency period is Dontari Poe.
Last offseason Poe signed a one year deal to play with the Atlanta Falcons. Previously he spent his career with the Kansas City Chiefs playing nose tackle. He is a powerful, run stuffing man who displayed exceptional athleticism early on.
Poe may be too pricey for the Cowboys defensive tackle position. It is a position that defensive coordinator Rod Marenelli has simply not prioritized during his tenure. It would also be a contract on top of re-signing Demarcus Lawrence and hopefully Randy Gregory. Add those two on top of Tyrone Crawford’s contract and the defensive line is getting pricey in Dallas.
The team needs to address that position one way or the other. Some point to the draft, and a deep defensive tackle class. That is a possibility. If the free agency route was taken, Poe would be a perfect fit for this team.