Dallas Cowboys free agency 2021: Top 5 targets

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 22: Head coach Mike McCarthy (L) of the Dallas Cowboys speaks with team owner Jerry Jones prior to their game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 22, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 27: Avery Williamson #54 of the New York Jets in action in the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 27, 2020, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

4. Cowboys free-agent targets – LB Avery Williamson

One of the Cowboys’ biggest issues on defense was stopping the run. Dallas featured the NFL’s second-worst run defense, surrendering over 158 yards per game on the ground, and the team’s linebacking corps didn’t help.

Leighton Vander Esch is a dynamic playmaker when healthy but he has missed a combined 13 games over the past two seasons with various injuries. Long-time starter Sean Lee also played only nine games in 2020 and is turning 35 in July, making it imperative for the Cowboys to get some help at the position on a budget.

One value play could be Williamson, who has been a tackling machine over the past several seasons. Williamson was traded from the New York Jets to the Pittsburgh Steelers and was productive in both stops, combining for 111 total tackles, with 73 of those being solo tackles.

The Cowboys would have to ensure that Williamson is an early-down linebacker since he has liabilities against in coverage but his skills in stopping the run would be a valued addition to this defense. Williamson would be a nice depth piece to the Dallas defense that Jones should look to target.

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