Carl Nicks: Dallas Cowboys Should Sign Saints' Free Agent Guard

The Dallas Cowboys have a close eye on New Orleans guard Carl Nicks, as there’s a good chance that he’ll enter free agency. Coming off of two-straight All-Pro selections, the former Cornhusker is looking to sign his second professional contract, and it may not be with the Saints.

Nicks is one of a handful of players of which the Saints have to make tough decisions. The Saints will try their best to retain him as well as players like Drew Brees, Marques Colston and Tracy Porter just to name a few. Some suspect that if the Saints can strike a deal with Brees, then Nicks may be given the franchise tag.

Of course they may also put the tag on Colston as well.

In May of 2010, the Saints re-signed their other guard, Jahri Evans to a seven-year $56.7 million contract to keep him a Saint. Any team who plans on signing Nicks will have to be thinking that he’ll command similar money.

The Cowboys have the cap space this year after releasing players like Igor Olshansky and Andre Gurode last season. The ‘Boys have approximately $20 million in cap space for the 2012 season and have holes to fill all over their roster.

I suspect at least five new starters for the ‘Boys. Interior linemen, cornerbacks, defensive ends, outside linebackers and safeties are all needs for America’s Team.

With those needs, can the Cowboys afford to invest in a bulldozer like Nicks?

Nicks will turn 27 in May and has just entered his prime. The Cowboys will look to balance out the offense next season with a heavy dose of the running game. Nicks may be the guy to pave the way for running back DeMarco Murray, and is also athletic enough to pull and get in front for screen passes.

Nicks would also be a big help in pass protection as well. The Cowboys could choose who would need the help more, Doug Free or Tyron Smith, and simply place Nicks on their side—I think Free needs more help at left.  His presence and leadership could easily help either tackle.

Nicks should be a high priority if he hits the market.  With Brees’ contract talks moving slowly, we may not know Nicks’ status until March. If he’s a free agent, he may look to reunite with Cowboys offensive line coach Bill Callahan, who was his coach when Nicks was a Cornhusker.

If we see that reunion, Cowboy fans will be happy to see a dominant run game return to Big D.