2013 NFL Offseason Team Needs: Dallas Cowboys

Dec 23, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant (88) runs after a catch for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints at Cowboys Stadium. The Saints beat the Cowboys 34-31 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Cowboys narrowly missed out on the NFC East crown in 2012, but the inconsistencies are sickening from this team. There is so much talent on the Dallas roster, there is no reason they shouldn’t be contending for the Super Bowl perennially. They are poorly coached and not mentally tough enough to win big games.

That being said, they are still a threat in the NFC East, and they need a good offseason to make sure they are right back in the thick of things in 2013.

Here are my top needs for the Cowboys, in no particular order:

1. Ball Hawking Safety

Wouldn’t we all like one of these on our team? In all seriousness, the Cowboys’ safety position is a trainwreck with Gerald Sensabaugh and Barry Church in the starting lineup. Those guys would be best served in backup roles. Dallas’ current backup situation involved a slew of free agent players, including Charlie Peprah, Danny McCray, and Eric Frampton. This is a position of priority for the Cowboys this offseason, where they could go early in the draft or spend some cash in free agency to get a good one.

2. Defensive Line

The Cowboys are moving to a 4-3 scheme, so they will need more speed on the defensive line. They are definitely built for a 3-4 defense with guys like Marcus Spears, Jason Hatcher, etc. They will go after a defensive lineman early on if they can. I think it’s important for this team to make sure Anthony Spencer is back, because I think he and DeMarcus Ware can make the transition to playing some defensive end in a 4-man front. I think you could see the Cowboys look to the defensive tackle position early in the 2013 NFL Draft.

3. Running Back

DeMarco Murray has injury problems, Felix Jones is injury prone and a first round bust, and the Cowboys have no depth outside of that. They struggled mightily to run the football in 2012, and they will do so again if they do not add some talent at the position. They can go after a guy in the middle rounds who can come in and contribute immediately.

4. Interior Offensive Line

Another ‘big’ reason why the Cowboys struggled to run the ball last year, as well as protect Tony Romo from getting sacked. I think this will be an area the Cowboys look to upgrade early on as well.

5. Cornerback

Orlando Scandrick is the only backup expected back next year that made any impact this past season. The Cowboys will need depth at this position, and there are some good players to look at in the later rounds of this year’s draft.

6. Wide Receiver

At times, it looked like Kevin Ogletree would take over the third receiver spot. At other times, it looked like Dwayne Harris. By season’s end, it was clear that nobody wanted to take that position. With the injury problems piling on Miles Austin, don’t be shocked to see the Cowboys use a top 100 selection on a guy who Tony Romo can use as a fourth option in the offense. Dallas had to chuck the ball quite a bit last year, but sometimes there just weren’t enough guys out there to make plays.