With free agency opening up on March 12th, I thought this would be the perfect time to look at who the Dallas Cowboys should be looking at. The major spots on this team that need to be addressed are wide receiver, defensive line, offensive line and the safety positions. These are the ten free agents I would consider signing if I was in the general manager’s position.
1. Danny Amendola
Some Cowboys fans will be familiar of Amendola, who signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent out of Texas Tech. He was mainly a practice squad player until was signed off the squad by the Eagles. He does have issues with injuries but for the right price is worth a look with all of the issues Dallas seems to have with their wide receiver corp.
2. Donald Thomas
Thomas has spent his last two seasons as primarily a backup for the Patriots, however when their guard Logan Mankins went down with injury he saw playing time. Having spent time as guard and center, this makes perfect sense for Dallas. Ideally he could come in and compete for both positions and he wouldn’t break the bank as far as a contract.
3. Louis Vasquez
Vasquez is a strong guard who can maul the opposing defensive linemen. Dallas needs to add depth at the guard position to protect Tony Romo and open holes for DeMarco Murray. At the NFL combine, Vasquez benched 225 pounds 39 times. This is a better option than Livings or Bernadeu at this point.
4. Peyton Hillis
Hillis hasn’t impressed anyone since his one good season in Cleveland, however he is from Arkansas and we know Jerry loves his Razorbacks. This makes sense if Hillis is willing to move to the fullback position and to spell Murray. He is a big punishing back, which can catch out of the backfield. Dallas has been looking for a fullback with those qualities ever since Daryll Johnston left.
5. Aaron Curry
By all accounts Curry did not turn out to be the player the Seahawks thought they were getting when they drafted him number four overall in 2009. He ended up being traded to the Oakland Raiders and is now looking for a job. I think with proper coaching and giving him a chance to compete makes sense for this team in need of an outside linebacker.
6. Ernie Sims
By the way that Sims played for the injured Sean Lee and Bruce Carter; he deserves to be brought back on. He should be brought back if for no other reason than a security blanket for two linebackers with injury histories like Lee and Carter. If Dan Connor doesn’t take a pay cut, this is more likely to happen than if he stays.
7. Charles Woodson
There is no secret that Woodson is getting a little long in the tooth, but he still performs. With Gerald Sensabaugh getting cut and the fact that I am not sure Barry Church how his injury will recover, Woodson will bring playmaking and veteran leadership to the table. This would also give the type of safety you need in the Tampa 2 defense.
8. Kenny Phillips
I would add Phillips to the list mainly for the same reason as Woodson, his playmaking ability, not to mention he is cheaper than Ed Reed. Not to mention Reed may retire after winning the Super Bowl. There are injury concerns with Phillips, but with the unknown of Matt Johnson and the inabilities of Danny McCray he is worth the risk.
9. Ramses Barden
Due to having little production, Barden may also have a lower contract demand. In New York he never seemed to live up to the hype coming out of Cal-Poly, but he wasn’t going to be the guy with Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks commanding the wide out positions. Standing at 6’6” would bring a presence that the Cowboys need around the goal line.
10. Israel Idonije
Idonije is going to be 33 years old this season, but I believe he could make some plays at the defensive end position. Even with the franchise tag placed on Anthony Spencer, there is still no guarantee that he will return. What also would help bring Idonije here to Dallas is the fact that his defensive line coach, Rod Marinelli is here.
