The Cowboys have needs, but how aggressive will they be in fixing them in one offseason?
The Dallas Cowboys' approach to the offseason, and more importantly, free agency, has all of Cowboys Nation on the edge of their seat.
Yes, in recent years, the Cowboys haven't exactly been aggressive in their pursuit to make the roster better, with George Pickens, at the time, seen as a low-risk, high-reward trade.
But now, as we turn for the scouting combine in Indianapolis, the bread crumbs are starting to form.
Dallas has already worked out a three-year, $24 million deal for running back Javonte Williams, with Pickens and Brandon Aubrey next on the to-do list for the front office.
But that takes care of the in-house free agents. What about Dallas' vision for acquiring players in the coming weeks?
Cowboys COO Stephen Jones was asked that in Indianapolis.
“Looks different every year,” Jones said. “Some years we do it a little different than others. A lot of it will depend on what’s out there and the value that we think is there. We certainly think we’ll be involved in free agency.”
So there is nothing really "new" here.
Not yet.
The Cowboys have all the tools needed to be players in free agency, and while there is a clamouring for the franchise to go big-game hunting for someone like Maxx Crosby, that hasn't been their path for years.
Offensively, the Cowboys appear set, provided Aubrey is back, and Pickens sees the field, because who knows with contract talks and Dallas.
That leaves the defensive side of the ball, the area where most of the focus is and should be for the front office.
Getting Christian Parker a handful of starting-caliber players, plus two first-round draft picks, one of which Jones stated the Cowboys are open to trading, in their back pocket will be key.
There's no reason to think the defense won't be an improved unit after last season's trainwreck. Even though the bar isn't exactly high to accomplish that.
The other thing is that Jones said Dallas will be "involved" in free agency, and we know that is an ambiguous term, as was the case with "all-in" as well.
So, while the vibes appear positive, Cowboys Nation has a right to be skeptical over what the franchise will do in the coming weeks.
The proof, as they say, will be in the free agency pudding.