/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68803625/1211427521.jpg.0.jpg)
The Dallas Cowboys will have a lot on their plate this offseason in terms of putting a team together through the draft and free agency. They will also have to manage who they currently have on their roster by deciding who will stay and who they will cut. This is nothing new for the Cowboys but they will have a few obstacles in their path, mainly the salary cap number, which at this time is still unknown.
In the meantime here’s a wishlist that many are hoping the Cowboys are able to accomplish this offseason.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/21954687/1229033425.jpg.jpg)
Number One: Sign Dak Prescott early in the offseason
The sooner the Cowboys are able to get a number on Prescott’s cap hit the sooner they will be able to figure out how to start looking for players in free agency, as well as signing their own free agents they want to keep. If they aren’t able to get it done early, they will have to worry about players leaving in free agency and also damaging the relationship with Prescott even more than it already was after last season's negotiations.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22294823/1230170044.jpg)
Number Two: Find a run-stopping defensive tackle in free agency
The Cowboys have been killed when it comes to stopping the run over the years and now they have a chance to find a run-stopping defensive tackle in free agency. This team has been pretty good at finding 3-tech defensive tackles who can get upfield but have missed on drafting players to stop the run. This season there is a wealth of talent that will be free agents that the Cowboys have a chance to sign like Dalvin Thompson, Hassan Ridgeway, Shelden Rankins, and Roy Robertson-Harris to name a few.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22006701/1283434251.jpg)
Number Three: Draft secondary help early
For years now Cowboys fans and beat writers have begged this team to draft help in the secondary early in the draft to get the best-projected talent. The Cowboys got Trevon Diggs in the second round last season and it worked out well for them. Now they need to repeat that process and look to draft a safety and cornerback with two of their first three draft picks. If they can do that then the potential loss of Jourdan Lewis and/or Chidobe Awuzie at cornerback and Xavier Woods at safety will be less of a problem.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19917133/952261440.jpg.jpg)
Number Four: Find depth at swing tackle and guard in free agency
We’ve seen what life is like when the Cowboys offensive line is ravaged by injuries early and throughout the season. They ended up having to play guys with little-to-no NFL starting experience and it hurt this team considerably. This can’t happen again. The front office needs to make sure they can find players with experience to shore up the depth along the offensive line.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22199412/1293367696.jpg)
Number Five: Try to sign Michael Gallup
This one could be really tough for the Cowboys to do this offseason. Gallup has been a bright spot for the Cowboys over the years and other teams have taken notice of his talent. He is going to be a player that teams may go after early in free agency next offseason so they can shore up their receiving group. Working out the financials to make this work is going to be a challenge, but some creative contract wizardry might make it happen.