Dallas Cowboys Free Agency: What the Team's Moves Mean for the 2012 NFL Draft

The Dallas Cowboys made more than a few moves when free agency started, and now it has potentially altered their draft strategy. The Cowboys signed free-agent cornerback Brandon Carr to a $50 million contract over five years after releasing Terence Newman.

Now, instead of Dallas drafting a corner in the first round, its eyes may turn toward an inside linebacker or an offensive lineman.

The Cowboys now seem to be in a position of strength as it relates to the draft. Instead of reaching for a corner the team did not necessarily want, they can now evaluate based off of talent and need instead of the other way around.

But where should the Cowboys go now that the team has addressed most of their needs? Should Dallas continue to plan for the future and draft a cornerback for contingency reasons? How about checking for the offensive line, picking up a strong guard in the first round and developing him for the present and the future?

Dallas signed linebacker Dan Connor to compete with Bruce Carter for the starting middle linebacker job, so should the Cowboys go after another inside linebacker for depth purposes?

Lastly, now that Kyle Orton has inked his contract with the team, should Dallas draft a quarterback and develop him as Tony Romo’s successor?

There are a number of paths the team can take, but which one is the most prudent?

Last year, the Cowboys ranked 23rd against the pass, giving up almost 245 yards per game. Against the Giants in the final game of the season, Dallas had no answer for Eli Manning and Victor Cruz. In fact, in two games against the Cowboys, Manning passed for 746 yards, and Dallas lost both games.

The Cowboys were in need of a victory in Week 17 to make it to the playoffs, but could not stop the pass. Newman was used as a human hurdle, and Manning just played them like a fiddle.

Signing Carr, a CB who had a quarterback passer rating of 61 against him, is a start in the right direction. Carr is physical, and pairing him with Mike Jenkins should serve Dallas well.

But Jenkins has health issues, and the Cowboys lack true depth at the position. Therefore, Dallas should draft Alabama's Dre Kirkpatrick at the 14th spot. He should fit well within defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's scheme, and he can be developed. Kirkpatrick can play the slot and step in when Jenkins gets injured.

Dallas should also take a look at Alabama safety Mark Barron. The team signed former Jets safety Brodney Pool to a one-year deal. He’s familiar with Ryan's system since he played for him in 2010. Pool isn't expected to be the long-term solution at the strong safety spot, though, so the Cowboys should keep Barron on the list.

While there are other players who are surely on the team's big draft board, Kirkpatrick and Barron should be one and two.

There are still issues with the pass-rush and depth at the linebacker position, but the defensive backfield was almost an embarrassment at times in 2011. Carr and Pool are very nice additions, but Dallas still needs to develop players for the future.