The Dallas Cowboys have now realized their worst nightmares, their season is over on Thanksgiving. After suffering a hair line fracture in his left clavicle starting quarterback Tony Romo is out for the season.
This means Matt Cassel, who lost every game he started will be under center. This also means the Cowboys have eight losses which eliminates them from postseason hopes that is unless every NFC East team loses every remaining the game and the Cowboys win at least 4 of the final games, those are some pretty long odds.
So now with the post season out of reach the Cowboys must focus on the 2016 season. The Cowboys are currently in position to have a top 5 pick in the 2016 NFL draft, this means they will have a great chance to land a top talent at any position.
At quarterback Paxton Lynch from Memphis is looking like a top tier talent for any team desperate for a future franchise quarterback. One could also look at Jared Goff from California who is speculated to be one of the top talents at the quarterback position in 2016. Other players such as Michigan States Connor Cook or Ohio States Cardale Jones could be a valid option near the Cowboys selection in the 2nd round. If the Cowboys choose not to pursue a quarterback in the draft they will likely pick up a veteran backup in free agency such as Matt Hasselbeck or Ryan Fitzpatrick. Sam Bradford and Brock Osweiler should also be available if their respective teams do not resign them.
The Cowboys could presumably look at the running back position as well with their first round pick as Ohio States Ezekiel Elliot is looking like 2016's Todd Gurley. They could also select Alabama superstar Derrick Henry to lead their running game into the future. The Cowboys have done alright with Darren McFadden however without Joseph Randle, Lance Dunbar, and Christine Michael the Cowboys will be desperate for a fresh running back.
There are numerous talented free agents entering the 2016 season such as Matt Forte, Chris Ivory, Doug Martin, Lamar Miller, and C.J. Anderson. The Cowboys could also focus on wide receiver as they could use a solid complement to Dez Bryant as he has seen double and triple coverage all season long. Michael Thomas from Ohio State could jump up draft boards if he continues to have such a powerful impact on the football field. The Cowboys could also pursue expected free agents Michael Crabtree, Mohamed Sanu, Brian Quick, Travis Benjamin, Alshon Jeffery, or Jermaine Kearse.
The Cowboys could also go to the defensive side of the ball and look at potential top 10 picks defensive end, Joey Bosa from Ohio State, Emmanuel Ogbah from Oklahoma State, or Robert Nkemdiche from Ole Miss. The Cowboys secondary has been pretty sound however with a decision coming on whether or not they will resign Morris Claiborne or what to do with Brandon Carr's monstrous salary, the position may be a position of need during the draft. The Cowboys would likely select top cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III from Florida or Jalen Ramsey from Florida State.
The Cowboys have plenty of options to improve their football team headed into 2016 and we haven't even tackled the potential trade options.