After a solid season in 2014 ended in a particularly painful way, the Dallas Cowboys feel like they have unfinished business to take care of. To get back to where they want to be, though, they’ll have to navigate a tricky free agency period that could see one or more key contributors hit the market.
While it’s obviously a high priority to bring back DeMarco Murray, the Dallas front office has also set their sights on a number of other free agents around the league. However, a bad signing could really hurt their chances at success. Here are the free agents the Cowboys need to avoid:
DE Greg Hardy
This one is pretty obvious - taking a flyer on Hardy after his domestic violence charges were settled in a civil suit to invest even a fraction of Hardy’s $13 million franchise tag value from 2014 would come with intense scrutiny and major risk. The Cowboys do need help on the defensive line, but Dallas will be better off finding 80-85% of his talent with 90% less baggage on the free agent market.
CB Kareem Jackson
Jackson isn’t an elite corner on the free agency market, but many think he's a rising star at the position, so there will be a high-priced bidding way for his services. Dallas has dealt with several of these players before, only to be disappointed when they don't progress the way the team hoped. The Cowboys are better off spending that money on a proven commodity like San Diego CB Brandon Flowers.
LB Rey Maualuga
The Cowboys need to find an inside linebacker if they can't bring Rolando McClain back, but Maualuga wouldn’t be a good fit for them. He finished the season with just 35 tackles and one interception in 12 games in a backup role in Cincinnati, but the biggest knock on him is his lack of versatility. Maualuga is solid against the run, but is absolutely terrible in coverage. Dallas would be smart to find an athletic linebacker instead and leave Maualuga alone.
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