With The First Pick
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2017 NFL Draft: Dallas Cowboys Team Needs

By Jon Dove

Jul 29, 2016, Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones at press conference at the River Ridge Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 29, 2016, Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones at press conference at the River Ridge Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Dallas Cowboys were again quite during free agency thanks to their salary cap situation. However, they have some major needs to address if they hope to make another playoff run.

Offensively, the Dallas Cowboys have enough pieces in place that they can focus their draft assets on improving the defense. They really only need to add some depth at tight end and wide receiver. These are areas that can be addressed via cheap free agents.

Below are the top three needs the Cowboys must focus on fixing throughout the rest of the offseason.

No. 1- Cornerback

The Cowboys have lost both of last year’s starting cornerbacks, Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr, via free agency. Newly signed Nolan Carroll and Orlando Scandrick are the only experienced players on the roster.

Dallas needs to come out of the 2017 NFL Draft with at least two cornerbacks. They could start addressing this  need as early as the 1st round. It wouldn’t be a shock if they used two of their first three picks on cornerbacks.

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A big-bodied corner like Clemson’s Cordrea Tankersley would be a smart pick in the 1st round.

No. 2- Safety

Losing Barry Church to the Jacksonville Jaguars created a major hole at the safety position. It became a more critical situation when J.J. Wilcox signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. As it stands, Byron Jones and Jeff Heath are the projected starters.

Jones is an extremely talented and effective player but the Cowboys like to use him in multiple roles. Lack of depth at the Safety position could limit they way they use Jones.

The 2017 NFL Draft has some depth at the safety spot which means the Cowboys could find a potential starter in the mid rounds.

No. 3- Linebacker

Sean Lee is coming off his first truly health season and put up big numbers. His talent has never been questioned, but his ability to stay on the field has been an issue. Lee’s health and the lack of depth at the position is why linebacker is a need for the Cowboys.

The injury questions also surround second-year player Jaylon Smith. He is still trying to work his way back from a knee injury he suffered in college, but the recent reports are not positive. ESPN’s Todd Archer reported that Smith is still have nerve damage in his knee.

Dallas needs to plan ahead and should target a versatile linebacker early in the 2017 NFL Draft. They potentially need a starter at inside and outside linebacker.

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