NFL Free Agents 2011: Top 10 Targets for the Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys are set to enter the 2011 NFL season on the heels of a 6-10 season, their first losing season since 2004.

Former head coach Wade Phillips is now coordinating the defense in Houston, and former offensive coordinator Jason Garrett is calling the shots for Jerry Jones' team at Jerry's World.

This means—among other things—that there is a possibility, finally, that the Cowboys address their secondary woes.

In a division that features wide receiving units with the likes of DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Hakeem Nicks, Steve Smith and Mario Manningham, the Cowboys have to find some way to combat those attacks.

Phillips subscribed to the philosophy, "If your pass-rush gets to the quarterback, then the secondary will survive." That cannot happen anymore, and the Cowboys' biggest need going into free agency is at the safety position, along with a secondary need at cornerback.

Big D also has major needs on both the offensive and defensive lines. The 'Boys did add Tyron Smith in the first round of the NFL draft, but they still need to re-sign Doug Free, and there is also no telling what to expect from a rookie on the blindside.

The NFC East isn't the dominant division we are used to seeing, but if the Cowboys are going to get back to playoffs, they will have to get better in free agency to battle Philadelphia and New York throughout the season.

Here are the 10 top targets for Jerry Jones' 2011 Dallas Cowboys.

10. Osi Umenyiora, DE

Ahh, this one is so interesting.

In 2010, the Cowboys were not the dominant pass-rushing force we have seen in years' past. DeMarcus Ware certainly was a beast, but he almost single-handedly recorded more sacks than the rest of his teammates.

Now, Osi is not a free agent, but he almost assuredly will not get the deal he wants from New York and will demand a trade or to be released.

His attitude has been mediocre at best since the departure of former defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, and he simply isn't happy.

That said, the Giants should be able to find a trading partner to land him.

But if all that fails, imagine Osi playing in the Cowboys' pass-rush opposite Ware.

He has the versatility to rush from the outside and possibly drop into coverage if needed, has experience in the division and if legitimately bounced from New York, he will have a major grudge against the Giants.

It is a long-shot,—hence why it is No. 10—but it is certainly an option to think about for their defense.

9. DeAndre McDaniel, S

This is the first of two undrafted free agents to grace this list.

DeAndre McDaniel came into the 2010 college football season with a lot of hype, but his lack of coverage ability bothered a number of people, and he fell, terribly, all the way out of the draft.

McDaniel lacks top-end speed and coverage instincts, but he is a very capable downhill player who will bring depth to a position of major need in Dallas.

At 6'0" and 217 pounds, he is much more of a hitter than other safeties from the class, and scouts were always happy with his instincts for the game at Clemson. 

8. Gerald Sensabaugh, S

This move will have a major impact on the number of safeties the Cowboys sign in free agency.

The seven-year veteran has had mixed reviews during his time in Dallas, and while some want him back, others are ready to move on completely from the Wade Phillips era.

Sensabaugh did record five interceptions a season ago for Dallas, and he would give them one starter, but that still leaves them to go after another one somewhere else.

Sensabaugh shouldn't garner too much attention on the open market if he truly wishes to test it, but if the Cowboys don't like the other players available, he would at least guarantee them a starter with him back in the fold.

If Sensabaugh leaves, they'll need to find two new starters, along with addressing other needs.

7. Marcus Spears, DE

For the right price, Marcus Spears needs to be retained in Dallas.

When not in the lineup, the Cowboys see an immediate difference in their overall play, and while he isn't the flashiest of players, he is a very good fit in their system.

Spears has been a good player for Dallas since becoming a full-time starter in his rookie season and hasn't given Dallas much a reason to let him go.

Should they find him at a relatively reasonable price, they should not hesitate to bring him back.

At 6'4" and 311 pounds, another team will certainly find Spears a useful player in certain systems if the Cowboys falter.  

6. Joe Lefeged, S

This would be a phenomenal move for the Cowboys if they can find a way to land the former Rutgers star.

Lefeged has 4.4 speed, tremendous special teams ability and does a great job of playing downhill.

That said, he fell out of the draft for a reason, and there has been some talk about him "shying" away from contact since the injury to his college teammate, Eric LeGrand.

But Lefeged has legitimate NFL talent and could be a potential starter one day.

He has the size and speed to last for a long time and could, at the very least, provide special teams assistance and depth to Cowboys' weakest position.

5. Johnathan Joseph, CB

This is a bit of long shot, but this kicks off the top-flight free agents the Cowboys need to target at positions of need.

Johnathan Joseph is one of the top three cornerbacks on the free agent market, and would provide an upgrade over the declining Terrence Newman and the inconsistent Mike Jenkins.

The cornerback position for the Cowboys is interesting, and the decision to attack the position in free agency will come down to what they do with Newman.

Once an elite cornerback, Newman's skills have diminished with age, and Jenkins hasn't taken up the mantel as the next shut-down corner for the Cowboys.

Joseph will have a lot of suitors and will cost a good chunk of change, but in the two season he was healthiest—2007 and 2009—he combined for 10 interceptions. Last season, he played in 12 games and recorded three interceptions.

The Bengals will attempt to re-sign him, but the Cowboys have more to offer as a destination if they decide to move Newman.

4. Antonio Cromartie, CB

Much like Joseph, Cromartie's current team—the New York Jets—will have the first shot at keeping him around.

Unlike Joseph, Cromartie's going to want to stay with the Jets, but he also wants money.

New York has a ton of free agency concerns to deal with, and Cromartie is No. 2 on that list behind wide receiver Santonio Holmes.

If the Cowboys want Cromartie or actually think they have a shot at him, it will likely force them to move Newman out.

Cromartie was exposed a bit last year opposite Darrelle Revis in New York, but the five-year veteran can still play very good football.

He's talented on and around the football, and also has the size—if in dire straights—to play safety for this team.

He'll also cost serious money, but the Cowboys will have a hard time ignoring their secondary needs with so many talented players on the market.

3. Doug Free, OT

Dallas' offensive line has been a problem of late, and one way to avoid it getting any worse is by keeping their current good players in-house.

Doug Free came on last season and made a name for himself as full-time starter for the first time in his four-year career.

He's still young, can get even better and the Cowboys would be foolish to let him get away.

Other top players on the market—Tyson Clabo, Matt Light, Justin Blalock—will likely be retained by their current teams, and Dallas should follow suit with Free.

At only 27 years old, they will be able to pair him up with Tyron Smith for the next few years and give their quarterback a shot at surviving the pass-rush in the NFC East.

2. Nnamdi Asomugha, CB

The Cowboys have to get involved when a player like Nnamdi Asomugha is available on the market, and we cannot rule Jerry Jones out of the chase for him.

The 30-year-old superstar cornerback is a need for virtually every team and would truly mark the end of Terrence Newman's run in Dallas.

Asomugha has been held hostage in Oakland every year of his career, and last year, for the first time in his career, his team didn't have a losing record.

Dallas isn't the favorite to win the NFC East or break back into the playoffs just yet, but with Asomugha, they would be a lot closer.

If they can find a pair of safeties to put behind him—possibly one of his teammates in Oakland—things in the Dallas secondary will turn around very quickly.

The biggest problem with Asomugha is the amount of money he will command. Dallas will have to do some work to clear enough cap, but he would be worth the expenditure. 

1. Michael Huff, S

There is no player linked more heavily with the Dallas Cowboys than Oakland safety Michael Huff.

The former Texas Longhorn hasn't lived up to the high expectations of his top-10 draft status, but 2010 was by far the best season of his career.

He has the size, speed, playmaking skills and experience to immediately step in as a starter for the Cowboys, and the former Irving High School star may be even better with a return home to the state of Texas.

Obviously there are bunch of other safeties on this list, veterans and undrafted free agents alike, but Huff needs to be priority No. 1 for players at the position. 

Whether he lines up alongside Sensabaugh or Dallas welcomes in a new starter, Huff has the talent to upgrade the secondary immediately.