2012 NFL Free Agents: 7 Signings That Could Spark Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys are looking for answers in free agency this offseason. The sense of urgency is high at Valley Ranch, and with Jerry Jones seemingly never relinquishing control of his GM title, it's up to him to pick up the pieces of an 8-8 season by adding some help.

It's going to take some work to add the kind of talent to compete with the Super Bowl champion New York Giants in the NFC East, and the Cowboys are going to have to replace starters at virtually every position group except QB and RB.

Anthony Spencer, Martellus Bennett and Abram Elam are all seen as not returning, so there are holes to be filled. Here are 7 signings the Cowboys should consider to compete in the NFC next season.

CB Cortland Finnegan, TEN

Who doesn't remember the Andre Johnson and Finnegan brawl from a 2010 game against the Houston Texans? I sure do. Say what you want about him, but Finnegan brings it to any receiver in the NFL, whether they have hype or not.

That's exactly the kind of toughness the Cowboys seem to be missing when you watch them play on Sundays. Maybe Calvin Johnson, Hakeem Nicks and DeSean Jackson wouldn't run wild in Dallas if Finnegan was in their ear every play.

Cornerback is a major area of concern, and Dallas could address that through the draft or free agency. If they choose the latter, Finnegan could be their guy.

DE John Abraham, ATL

Abraham finds himself in a position that Cowboys fans endured a few years back with Greg Ellis. Abraham made $8 million last year and is the team's best pass rusher, but it's unlikely with Brent Grimes and Curtis Lofton both seeking new deals that they will be able to give him anywhere near that.

Dallas should at the very least inquire into adding his services. If they got him for 2 years at $13-15 million or so, he would be an immediate upgrade over anyone they have along the defensive front to flank DeMarcus Ware and Jay Ratliff to get to the QB.

Atlanta will have to decide how valuable he is to their front, and Abraham will have to decide if he wants to take less money to remain in Atlanta, or move on at a chance for a championship with another team—a similar dilemma Ellis found himself in the middle of in Dallas.

S Reggie Nelson, CIN

Nelson is the kind of ball-hawking safety that the Cowboys haven't had since...well they haven't had one in any recent memory. He could reunite with ex-Jaguar Gerald Sensabaugh in Dallas; they both spent time in Jacksonville together as the starting strong and free safeties.

Abram Elam is likely seeking more than a one-year deal, but since the Cowboys handed out five-year contracts to Orlando Scandrick and Sensabaugh mid-season, it's unclear if the Rob Ryan favorite will stick around for another year.

If Elam does not, Nelson could like the idea of playing in a larger market, as well as playing again with an ex-member of the Jaguar secondary.

OG Carl Nicks, NO

Nicks is in for a big pay-day after protecting Drew Brees for four seasons. He is on the record as saying he would like to remain in the Big Easy, but since Brees and Marques Colston are both free agents, it's going to be difficult to come to terms with all three.

Considered one of the best guards in football, the former Nebraska standout could bolster the inside running game at either guard slot for the Cowboys. Kyle Kosier is in place at one guard spot, and if the Cowboys are going to give big money to some one in free agency, it better be a pass rusher or interior lineman.

Derrick Dockery and Montrae Holland were both solid inside. But they both have slow feet, and the younger Nicks could protect Tony Romo and open up holes for DeMarco Murray more effectively than either.

OG Deuce Lutui, AZ

If Nicks doesn't sign, the Cowboys could go with a more high-risk, high-reward type signing like Lutui. The former second-round pick in the 2006 draft was a starter on the most recent Arizona Cardinal Super Bowl appearance team, but hasn't been as effective recently.

The Cardinals might re-sign him to a smaller deal and see what they can get out of him, but he's only in his sixth season, so if the Cowboys were to swoop in and offer more money with a chance to start, Lutui could become an attractive option on the inside.

RB/FB Le'Ron McClain, KC

The Cowboys have a full backfield right now with Murray, Felix Jones, Phillip Tanner and fullback Tony Fiammetta, who is a restricted free agent.

If Fiammetta, who did a very nice job opening up holes in the run game, decides to take a bigger offer and the Cowboys don't match, they could add some versatility by signing McClain.

He can play both fullback and running back, and with the injury history of Murray and Jones, it could behoove the Cowboys to find some insurance so they don't have to go get a guy like Sammy Morris in week 14 like they did this season if those two can't stay healthy.

WR Laurent Robinson, DAL

Bringing back Robinson could be key to the Cowboys' offense. The fifth-year man from Illinois State established an immediate rapport with Romo in the passing game, and in all accounts was the best receiver in a group that includes Miles Austin and Dez Bryant.

He spent a full year in the offense, and is a very valuable number three option—especially considering both Austin and Miles also have problems staying on the field.

However, his breakout campaign could set him up for a big contract with a new team seeking a playmaker. Since the Cowboys have other gaping holes to fill (DE, DL, OL, DB) do they want to pony up the money to re-sign Robinson with two other Pro Bowl caliber receivers?

That remains to be seen. It would be nice to have him, but not at the expense of a large deal that handicaps the team any further down the line.