The Dallas Cowboys are heading into the NFL draft with needs on both sides of the ball and now that the team has signed back free agent Anthony Spencer, they may look to use their first round pick on offense with names like Marqise Lee, Odell Beckham, Kelvin Benjamin, Brandin Cooks and Carlos Hyde as players that could be in the mix along with a trade for Johnny Manziel, which doesn't seem to be going away from Jerry Jones.
The Cowboys signed back Spencer last week and he agreed to a one-year deal with the team after being on the free agent market for a while and the contract will be for $1.25 million on his base salary. The contract for Spencer could end up worth $3.5 million with incentives this season and he is coming back after a major injury and only played in one game last season following micro fracture surgery on his knee. The Cowboys had been lined to Spencer throughout the offseason and it was likely he would sign back with the team after getting interest from division rivals in the New York Giants and Washington Redskins.
Spencer is still coming back from his injury and he had been rehabbing with the team and now he will be in question to be on the field for training camp, which starts this summer. Spencer gives the team another solid option on the defensive line after losing DeMarcus Ware and Jason Hatcher and he will be there with new addition Henry Melton, who signed from the Chicago Bears.
Spencer played in over 30 snaps against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2 last season and the year before he had 11 sacks and made it to the Pro Bowl and that was a career high for him. Spencer was previously the franchise player for the team in 2011 and 2012 and Jerry Jones had said that the team was open to signing back Spencer this offseason. After losing Ware, the Cowboys have signed Melton, Jeremy Mincey and Terrell McClain and now Spencer as well and that gives some depth to a position that will need it this season.
Last year the Cowboys ranked 27th in the league in rushing yards per game with over 125 yards allowed and that is one reason why the defensive line has been a focus. The team also was ranked near the bottom of the league in passing yards per game with over 280 yards and they may look to a cornerback or names like Timmy Jernigan, Aaron Donald or Justin Gilbert in the draft. ESPN.com also reports that Odell Beckham and Marqise Lee could be potential options for Jones this year in the draft and later on, players at running back like Carlos Hyde or De'Anthony Thomas could be in the mix.