Cowboys: 3 big free agent targets that could alter 2021 NFL Draft plans

Free Agency is just about a week away, and teams will be finalizing their gameplans on how to approach it. One team that could make a big impact in free agency is the Dallas Cowboys. After a disappointing season, the Cowboys are going to look to improve their defense in both free agency and the 2021 NFL Draft.

Looking at the draft, the defensive positions happen to be weaker than the offensive, so free agency might be the primary focus for the Cowboys as they look to acquire immediate impact defensive talent. With needs along the defensive line and at both positions in the secondary, the Cowboys should be able to target some veteran players on defense to fill some of these holes.

Where do Cowboys sit with salary cap?

According to Spotrac.com, the Cowboys are sitting with just south of $26 million in cap space available for the 2021 NFL season. According to overthecap.com, it is projected the Cowboys will need just about $9 million to pay their draft class, so that leaves just about $17 million for free agents. There are some middle-tier players who they can sign for under $12 million per year that can come in and upgrade this defense immediately and get their new defensive coordinator, Dan Quinn, some playmakers.

The money isn’t necessarily flowing for the Cowboys this offseason, but thoughtful signings can make just as big of an impact as the big spenders can. Targeting positions of need that can be acquired for relatively cheap amounts can be a big difference-maker for the Cowboys, who are looking to bounce back from a letdown of a season.