Free Agency Flight Schedule: Who Is the Dallas Cowboys' Biggest Priority?

Free agency speculation always starts with who can be brought in from other teams, but the decision-making process for teams begins with who the team wants to keep of their own pending free agents.

The Dallas Cowboys aren't generally known for making big free-agent splashes anyway, but they have quite a few big decisions on their hands.

Anthony Spencer

Spencer never lived up to the potential that he carried as the 26th overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft, but the Cowboys would be hard-pressed to find anyone that can fill the spot opposite DeMarcus Ware. It really comes down to whether or not the Cowboys think they can do better for themselves in the draft or with a free agent.

The Cowboys seems interested in making Spencer a Cowboy on a long-term deal and have plans to speak with his agent, according to Calvin Watkins of ESPN. If the team brings him back, though, it will likely be on their terms. 

But just based on the lack of options behind him, the Cowboys would be wise to do as much as possible to keep him around.

Laurent Robinson

The Cowboys are in the enviable position of having three very talented wide receivers. They're now in the unenviable position of trying to pay their third wide receiver, who could likely find more money elsewhere if he wants to. But after struggling elsewhere and finally finding a fit in Dallas, the question now is whether he wants more money to go somewhere he may not be as good of a fit as in Jason Garrett's Air Coryell-style offense.

And the Cowboys need to be asking themselves a similar question: How much above No. 3 WR money can we go?

The Cowboys offense would likely be just fine without him, but a three-headed receiving threat like what the Cowboys had in 2011 is the envy of the league, and for good reason. The Cowboys should do what they can to lock him up.

Mat McBriar

I know, punter doesn't exactly top the list of everyone's most important position. But when you've found a good punter, you don't typically want to let him hit free agency.

The Cowboys have been set at the position for years, as McBriar has twice led the NFL in average yards per punt. But the team got an unexpected bump in the road from McBriar this year when he averaged just 43.8 yards per punt, his lowest average since 2005. His net average of 36.1 yards per punt also ranked in the bottom five in the NFL (35th out of 39).

And without boring you all to death with punting metrics, let's just say he was average to below average in nearly every category that matters.

While the Cowboys can likely afford to lose him, there are two questions they must ask themselves:

1. Can we do better in free agency or the draft?
2. Can McBriar return to his previous form?

Depending on the answers to those questions, the Cowboys will find their solution to McBriar's expired contract.

Your thoughts

Who do you think is the most important free agent for the Cowboys? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below, and vote in the poll on the right.

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