With The First Pick
Fansided

3 McCarthy linked free agents that could alter Cowboys 2020 NFL Draft plans

By Randy Gurzi

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 18: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix #21 of the Green Bay Packers carries the football after intercepting for the second time against the Chicago Bears in the third quarter at Soldier Field on December 18, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 18: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix #21 of the Green Bay Packers carries the football after intercepting for the second time against the Chicago Bears in the third quarter at Soldier Field on December 18, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 29: Randall Cobb #18 of the Dallas Cowboys runs with the ball in the third quarter against the Washington Redskins in the game at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. He is one Mike McCarthy player, who are other FAs who could alter their 2020 NFL Draft plans? (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 29: Randall Cobb #18 of the Dallas Cowboys runs with the ball in the third quarter against the Washington Redskins in the game at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. He is one Mike McCarthy player, who are other FAs who could alter their 2020 NFL Draft plans? (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

The Cowboys need to fill several holes on their roster, but won’t have to lean solely on the 2020 NFL Draft if Mike McCarthy were to reach out to these FAs.

After years of falling short of the goal with Jason Garrett as their head coach, the Dallas Cowboys decided to make a change. After moving on from Garrett, they hired former Green Bay Packers head coach, Mike McCarthy. How could this hire change their 2020 NFL Draft plans?

McCarthy brings a Super Bowl ring — which he won in AT&T Stadium — and a different approach to the game. He could also bring a new philosophy for building the roster, and as much as Garrett gets labeled a ‘puppet’ for Jerry Jones, he did have a lot to do with their draft strategy.

Garrett focused more on drafting big offensive linemen and often stayed away from the flashy players. As proof of this, Jones and the Cowboys never once drafted an offensive lineman in the first round since he purchased the team in 1989. When Garrett took over full-time in 2011, that changed as they used a No. 1 pick on Tyron Smith.

Since then, they have used two other first-round picks on O-linemen, grabbing Travis Frederick in 2013 and Zack Martin in 2014. Those were all great picks and some of the best at their respective positions.

But now, McCarthy could look to add some splash around those players. The question is whether or not he might be able to add some free agents that will give him more freedom in the draft. With that being said, here are three pending free agents with ties to the head coach that could affect draft plans.

Honorable mention: Randall Cobb, WR

One player who is already in Dallas but will hit free agency is Randall Cobb. He spent his entire career with McCarthy but was allowed to leave in free agency in 2019 — after McCarthy was fired. Cobb was on hand for McCarthy’s introductory press conference and would surely love to work with his old coach again.

If the feeling is mutual, Dallas would be able to go in the draft and attack areas of greater need. If Cobb does leave, that could force the Cowboys into using one their picks in the first two days of the draft on a reliable pass-catcher.

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