The Cowboys are approaching a defining offseason for the franchise, and, as far as we can tell, there is a plan in place. We just have to see it play out.
The Dallas Cowboys will enter the offseason knowing exactly where their resources need to be allocated for head coach Brian Schottenheimer.
There are several re-signings that have to take place (George Pickens for certain, Javonte Williams quite possibly), and then filling holes in the defense through free agency.
We have already listed a handful of players who aren't top-liners, but are good, dependable options for new defensive coordinator Christian Parker.
But again, money will factor into it. How aggressive will Dallas be, knowing it has two first-round picks in its back pocket?
For Cowboys Nation, the hope is that this is the offseason where the franchise loosens the purse strings and goes and gets quality players.
For Cowboys COO Stephen Jones, free agency appears to be where the franchise is going to try to do most of its work.
“That's where we've had our most success is really trying to go through our list of needs and trying to fill those in free agency,” Jones said. “Then that allows us to cut and shoot when it gets to the draft and get the best player available. So that's certainly our goals.
"Will [McClay] has done a great job with his staff, whether it's the pro side or the college side, of really looking at where the strengths and weaknesses are of the free agency class, as well as the draft.”
So in a nutshell, the Cowboys are going to do what they can to address the host of needs of the defensive side of the ball, and then top up with their draft picks.
With safety, linebacker, corner, and pass rusher the key areas needed for reinforcement, free agency offers a host of intriguing players Dallas could look at.
Trey Hendrickson, Devin Lloyd, Alex Singleton, Reed Blankenship, and Devin Bush are just some names we have thrown up as potential options.
With the need to bring in a handful of starting-caliber players, free agency (optimistically speaking) could see a number of guys signed, leaving the Cowboys to, as Stephen says, draft the "best player available" with two first-round picks.
This offseason could be one of the most important in recent memory for shaping the organization's trajectory, now under guidance from coach Brian Schottenheimer.
Let's see how seriously they take it.