In a perfect world, the Dallas Cowboys would be adding veteran safety Will Allen for depth. The 30-year-old has been a backup in eight of his nine seasons, with 17 spot starts sprinkled around a full season in the starting lineup with the 2006 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (after the departure of Dexter Jackson).

However, because the Cowboys had to move mountains in order to free up cap space merely to sign Allen today (per ESPNDallas.com), it's fair to guess that the former Buccaneer and Steeler will have an inside track to start alongside Barry Church. 

I think the Cowboys could be attracted to Allen's versatility and his familiarity with Monte Kiffin's scheme. Not only does he bring some much-needed experience to the safety corps, but he's spent plenty of time as both a strong safety and a free safety. He started seven games at strong safety in place of the injured Troy Polamalu and the benched Ryan Mundy in 2012. 

With zero career sacks and no interceptions since 2005, he's not a guy who stands out. But the 2004 fourth-round draft pick is decent in coverage and run defense and spent the first five years of his career playing for Kiffin's defense in Tampa. 

Read More »20

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant was one of the hottest offensive players in football during the second half of the 2012 NFL season. Bryant, who is only 24, is entering his fourth season in the league. He's as talented as anyone in this game and will be featured in a pass-first offense. 

That's why I actually refrained from rolling my eyes while reading that the former first-round draft pick suggested to ESPNDallas.com that a 2,000-yard, 20-touchdown season was a possibility. 

Bryant's never had more than 1,400 yards or 12 touchdowns in a single season, but the trajectory is pointing upward. 

Take a look at the chart to the right. Bryant's numbers have climbed steadily during the first three seasons of his career, always rising by between 33 and 65 percent from the previous year. His time on the field has increased a bit, but this is tied primarily to how much more of a force the Oklahoma State product has become. 

Read More »30

Throughout the free-agency period, the Dallas Cowboys have had two glaring holes on defense—one at free safety and the other at the Sam linebacker spot. And until now, they weren't able to address either need due to limited salary cap space.

But they restructured eight contracts and are now reportedly on the verge of saving some cash by signing Anthony Spencer and Tony Romo to long-term deals. Under those circumstances, they've found a way to finally add an unrestricted free agent to the roster, becoming the 31st NFL team to do so this offseason. 

The team has agreed to terms on a two-year contract with veteran linebacker Justin Durant according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, who notes that the deal won't be signed until the 'Boys can secure the cap room to include Durant on payroll. 

Interesting maneuvering from the 'Boys, who must feel they need some support for Kyle Wilber, Alex Albright and Ernie Sims, all of whom are options for the open linebacker spot beside Sean Lee and Bruce Carter. 

Read More »22

The New York Giants haven't been able to be major players in free agency this year, but that's not unusual for them anyway. The Giants like to stay quiet in March and build in April. So with March coming to an end and April getting underway, now's a great time to make some tweaks to our Giants draft board (see the original here).

The Giants lost several 2012 starters but appear to have replacements ready to go in most of those vacated spots. Stevie Brown should step in for Kenny Phillips, Dan Connor might relieve Chase Blackburn, Cullen Jenkins is there to take over for Chris Canty, Jacquian Williams has got Michael Boley's spot, Brandon Myers was signed to replaced Martellus Bennett and David Wilson should be able to man the backfield with Ahmad Bradshaw gone.

But Osi Umenyiora isn't easy to replace and Justin Tuck isn't the same player he used to be, leaving the Giants in desperate need of a quality pass-rusher who can complement Jason Pierre-Paul. 

With that in mind, the primary focus of our first-round draft board is on defensive ends, with defensive tackles, defensive backs and offensive tackles taking a back seat. 

Read More »67

The Philadelphia Eagles have been—and might very well continue to be—very busy in free agency. As a result, their draft board is constantly evolving. We're likely to make some dramatic changes between now and April 25, but with just one under month remaining until Round 1 of the 2013 NFL Draft, we're beginning to at least get a clearer picture of what might go down when the Eagles pick fourth overall. 

Because Philly holds the two picks in the top 35, we've got two draft boards updated for Chip Kelly's team. Here's what we had for them before free agency, and here's what we're thinking for Round 1 now that they've done some shopping...

I've touched on my rationale for having Geno Smith at the top, and it really has to do with the fact you can't win in this league without a star quarterback. Period. Now, that might not be Smith, but it could be him, and the Eagles never pick this high. Great players can be found all over the place; great quarterbacks can't. You have to roll the dice if he drops to you. Fortunately for those who fear Smith will be a disastrous bust, I don't think he's going to get past Oakland anyway. 

I tend to believe that, beyond that, it should be something along the lines of best player available. But I think Lotulelei, Floyd and Milliner are so tightly packed together in terms of talent level that you'd be better off going with a defensive lineman who could make a big impact immediately as a starter next to Isaac Sopoaga and Fletcher Cox. 

Read More »97

The Dallas Cowboys will be on the clock in exactly a month, ready to fill a hole or upgrade a weak spot with the No. 18 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. 

When we first established a draft board for the 'Boys coming out of the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine, we were going heavy on pass-rushers and those who lived in the trenches, but things have since changed and now we're leaning in different directions. 

There are definitely some factors to consider here. First, Anthony Spencer was hit with the franchise tag in early March and now word has emerged, via ESPN's Ed Werder, that the two sides are negotiating a multi-year deal. 

That deal could free up cap space for the 'Boys to sign a veteran safety and/or linebacker and/or offensive tackle and/or guard. And if or when those signings happen, the positions of need that aren't addressed on the open market will become bigger priorities in the draft. 

Read More »23

I had planned on spending the afternoon reviewing free agency for all four NFC East teams. But then the Dallas Cowboys brought in three free agents for visits, the New York Giants made another move and word got out that the Washington Redskins were hosting Antoine Winfield before I realized that it was too early to start drawing conclusions about the free-agent signing period. 

So instead, we're going to jump ahead and reset the Redskins' draft board based on what has transpired since the board was first established after last month's NFL Scouting Combine.

Now, not a ton has changed since the first board was posted, mainly because the 'Skins have been fairly quiet in free agency. I do feel letting both DeAngelo Hall and Cedric Griffin go enhanced the need for a cornerback, and I get the feeling they're going to stay away from offensive tackles earlier with Tony Pashos, Tyler Polumbus and Jeremy Trueblood all on board.

The first round of the draft takes place in exactly one month, but the 'Skins won't make their first selection until the following night (barring a major move). And while I'd highly doubt they'll move back into Round 1, there's a chance they jump around where movement is less restricted in Round 2.

Read More »13

The New York Giants have already lost five starters from the 2012 season, but Kevin Boothe won't be the sixth. 

The Giants shored up their offensive line for 2013 by re-signing the unrestricted free-agent guard to a one-year deal on Monday, according to NFL Network's Kim Jones. 

With Will Beatty signing a long-term contract earlier in the offseason, that means the Giants will have the ability to bring back the same starting five along the offensive line, with Sean Locklear or David Diehl manning the right tackle spot (unless James Brewer emerges, and they don't bring Locklear back). 

The 29-year-old Boothe may not be a stud or a Pro Bowler, but he has started 26 straight games, is versatile and consistent, and hasn't been injured since 2010. The Cornell product can play anywhere in the interior offensive line and is a particularly strong run-blocker, which should help 2012 first-round pick David Wilson in his first year as a starter.

Read More »9