5 Free Agents the Dallas Cowboys Should Target

The Dallas Cowboys' 2011 season ended far earlier than they had hoped, in large part due to a need of greater talent at key positions.

The Cowboys were unable to acquire some necessary players at positions like defensive back and offensive line due to financial restrictions last offseason, but this time around, the team has a bit more room to make some moves in free agency.

Owner Jerry Jones and his team will be on the lookout to bring in some top talent this free agency period, and here are five players they should have their eyes set on.

Matt McBriar

Punter Matt McBriar is far from the sexiest name on this list, but he's just as important to sign as any of the other four.

McBriar is a free agent heading into this offseason and is arguably the best player available at his position. For all the glamor and attention that quarterback Tony Romo gets on offense for Dallas, McBriar is just as important.

If the Cowboys go three-and-out on a drive on their own 20-yard line, more often than not, Dallas fans have at least been able to rest easy knowing No. 1 was going to boom a punt that would keep their opponents near their own 30-yard line.

There aren't many guys at his position that can say they average 45 yards per punt attempt over their career, but that's exactly what McBriar gives Dallas almost every time he kicks that football.

The Australian-born punter has been a key part of the Cowboys offense for many seasons, and Dallas would be wise to see that he remains apart of this team for several years to come.

Andre Gurode

The Cowboys were forced to let go of longtime center and guard Andre Gurode due to financial reasons last offseason, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't try to get him at the right price this year.

Gurode isn't the best center in the league, but he knows the Cowboys offense better than any other player the team could bring in to replace the abysmal Phil Costa. The current Baltimore Raven was a Pro Bowl selection during his time in Big D and rarely, if ever, had difficulties snapping the ball to Tony Romo.

Dallas and Gurode parted ways on good terms, and Baltimore will have higher priorities than trying to re-sign him this free agency. If the 'Boys can get their old center back for a reasonable price, there's no reason Jerry Jones shouldn't make that deal happen.

Brandon Carr

Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Brandon Carr has played in every game for his team since his 2008 rookie season, quickly molding into a fine NFL CB.

Like the Chiefs, Carr struggled to live up to expectations in 2011, but he has still put together over 200 tackles and 14 turnovers during his brief pro career.

Given his young age, the Grand Valley State product should be able to further grow into his own and become one of the upper-tier talents at the corner position. The Chiefs may be less keen on re-signing him after a run of the mill year, and that's where a team like the Cowboys could come in and lure him away from KC.

Cortland Finnegan

While replacing an aged Terence Newman with young Brandon Carr at corner would be nice, replacing him with the highly-talented Cortland Finnegan would be ideal.

Finnegan has been playing at a high level ever since coming into the league with the Tennessee Titans back in 2006, but has gone relatively unnoticed due to his team's struggles.

The seventh-round draft pick out of Samford has 14 interceptions to his name, 10 of which came in back-to-back seasons from 2008-2009. That 2008 season also marked Finnegan's first Pro Bowl selection.

While some have called him a tad of a "dirty player," the Cowboys have looked past character issues in the past, giving players like Charles Haley and Terrell Owens a chance. Dallas understands that when you have a dire need at a position, character flaws are of little concern if the player in question is one of the best in the league.

Robert Mathis

After contract disputes between the Indianapolis Colts and defensive end Robert Mathis last offseason, and then the atrocious 2-14 season in 2011, there's a chance the veteran will choose to leave Indy.

Mathis has totaled nine or more sacks in six of his eight NFL seasons, proving to be one of the most consistent and underrated players at his position. Considering the Alabama A&M graduate plays opposite of Dwight Freeney, many forget that Mathis can be just as deadly as his high profile teammate.

Some will say that because Freeney is constantly focused, Mathis has more opportunities to obtain sacks, but even if that were true, he'd flourish in Dallas just as he did in Indy. Offensive lines are constantly trying to defend Jay Ratliff and DeMarcus Ware that if they have to deal with Mathis as well, you can expect a higher sack total from Rob Ryan's defense next year.

The longtime Colt could end up staying with his current team, but Dallas has a mystique the organization that could sway Mathis into a different shade of blue jersey come 2012. Well, that and Jerry Jones' checkbook certainly helps the negotiation process.