The Dallas Cowboys have been active this offseason while bringing in Greg Hardy, Darren McFadden and Nick Hayden, but with Rolando McClain not likely to sign back, the team has a need at linebacker and some free agent options include Mason Foster, Lance Briggs, Nick Roach and Brandon Spikes for Jerry Jones on defense.
The Cowboys just signed Hardy to a deal and while many were not happy with that development, including the Dallas mayor, it fit a major need. Hardy is an All-Pro talent and he is on the market due to off the field issues and now he comes in to help the Cowboys rush the QB. Last season the team was one of the worst at getting to the quarterback, putting up just 28 sacks overall. Hardy comes in after recording 15 in 2013 and 11 in 2012 and Jerry Jones said that he will be able to give the team a strong presence up front.
The team may look at linebackers on the free agent market to add depth, as Todd Archer reports that the team is not planning to sign back Rolando McClain. Mason Foster is one of the top players left on the market and he is coming off of a solid season with the Buccaneers and has spoken with the Bears about a contract. According to ESPN Chicago's Michael C. Wright, Foster and the Bears are "not close" on a deal and that could open things up for the Cowboys.
The Cowboys could also use to shore up their defensive backfield, as they ranked near the bottom of the league in passing yards allowed per game, but linebacker also remains a need. Lance Briggs and Brandon Spikes remain on the market and if the Cowboys pass on those players, they could look at the draft as a potential solution as well.
The team signed Greg Hardy to a one year deal this past week and now he will be coming after missing nearly all of last season while dealing with sexual assault charges. Those charges eventually were dismissed, much in the way the Cowboys dismissed character in looking at Hardy. The Panthers did not want to sign him back and he comes in after putting up a Pro Bowl season in 2013.
The Cowboys lost DeMarco Murray to the Eagles and they added Darren McFadden on a two year deal that is low risk. According to ESPN.com writer Todd Archer, the team likely will not look at a trade for Adrian Peterson and instead will look at the draft for more depth at the position. This year the running back class is deep, as names like Todd Gurley, Jeremy Langford, Tevin Coleman, TJ Yeldon and Melvin Gordon are coming out.
McFadden comes in after starting his career in Oakland and he has signed a two year deal to help replace Murray. McFadden is a former Razorback like Jerry Jones and he played in all 16 games last season for the first time in his career. Last season McFadden had 534 yards and he will get the chance to play a prominent role in the offense this year.