Dallas Cowboys: 5 Draft Prospects and Free Agents Who Can Help Right the Ship

The Dallas Cowboys are a team filled with talent. However, that talent isn't distributed very equally.

The Cowboys are strong with their skill players on offense and in their defensive backfield, but they do have issues surrounding them on both of the offensive and defensive lines, while their linebacking unit could also use more depth.

Because of this, the Cowboys find themselves often out-muscled on both sides of the ball, and are now at 3-5 with their playoff hopes for 2012 seemingly running away from them.

Dallas will likely use this offseason to reload, both through the draft and free agency. But while picking from both pools, who should the Cowboys go after? Here's a look at some players that could help stem the tide in Dallas.

Jake Long, LT Miami Dolphins (Free Agent)

Jake Long is an impending free agent after the season who will likely command a pretty penny for any team hoping to sign the former No. 1 pick out of Michigan.

He has had his struggles at times this season, but for the most part, he has ranged between solid blind-side protector to one of the best left tackles in the NFL.

There's a good chance that he won't be in Miami, due mainly to their drafting of former Stanford left tackle Jonathan Martin. Martin was moved to the right tackle position upon being drafted by the Dolphins, but he's also the heir apparent to Long on the left side if Miami were to decide to let Long walk.

The reason Miami would do this would be his price tag. Even if Jake Long is franchised, he will still command a high price from Miami, who would like to use their available 2013 cap room on other positions, especially on defense, where Randy Starks and Sean Smith are also impending free agents.

In Dallas he would be an instant upgrade to a line that has struggled to control the line of scrimmage. A more veteran team like Dallas would also be more along Long's style, especially since he would fit in better with the blocking schemes employed by the Cowboys than he has so far with Miami's West Coast offense.

Dallas would have to cut a huge check for Long, but with the way he can protect Romo's blind side and run block, he would be worth every penny for the Cowboys.

Ryan Clady, LT Denver Broncos (Free Agent)

A left tackle less likely to leave his home in 2013 that would be of value to the Dallas Cowboys is Denver Broncos tackle Ryan Clady.

Clady serves as Peyton Manning's blind side protector, which makes him Denver's second most important player on the team. Unlike with Long (who already has a replacement in Miami as well as the fact that the Dolphins have extra draft picks to use on another lineman in rounds two and three), the Broncos will be more likely to fight to keep Clady's services for another few years, no matter the cost.

The franchise tag will likely come into play here, but if for some reason it doesn't, and Clady is free to test out his options, Dallas has to make the call.

At 26 years old, Clady still has at least five more productive years ahead of him, and so far this season, is showing that he's worth the big bucks he will likely command.

Dallas's cap room in 2013 looks like it could afford to take on a big contract like one Clady or Long would demand, even with the $5 million cap penalty they will have to pay. But to protect Tony Romo and to strengthen the offensive line, it's a cap hit they will likely have to take if they can't find the right pieces in the draft.

Luke Joeckel, OT Texas A&M (Draft)

This is more of a long shot for now than both Long and Clady, but with the way the Cowboys have been playing, it could become a real possibility.

Luke Joeckel has had a tremendous season at Texas A&M, and it has caught the attention of both NFL scouts and draftniks alike. He's slated to go in the top 10, which could wind up being where Dallas drafts in 2013.

Joeckel has the skills to play just about anywhere along the offensive line, adding bulk and skill to a position where both are sorely needed for Dallas. He would not only protect Romo, but also open up the running game for DeMarco Murray to be able to run through.

If he's available for the Cowboys in round one, Dallas has to pick him with little-to-no hesitation. He'd not only provide the best value, but he'd also address the Cowboys' most pressing need.

Dwight Freeney, DE Indianapolis Colts (Free Agent)

Despite the fact that the Indianapolis Colts have come back into relevance this season with Andrew Luck at quarterback, Dwight Freeney is still likely to leave Indianapolis if for no other reason than his price tag.

Freeney will command a franchise tag of $16.8 million for 2013, if that's the route that the Colts decide to go. For a young team that still has a lot of holes to patch up in other positions, that's a cap hit that they can ill-afford to take.

Freeney will be walking, and with the Cowboys needing a defensive end that can rush the quarterback better, this pairing seems like a good one.

Freeney would fit in well with a Rob Ryan-led defensive attack that will continue to put pressure on quarterbacks and force mistakes. It has been the defensive aggressiveness that has given Dallas a chance to win, and to double-down on it with one of the best pass-rushers in the league through free agency would free up the Cowboys' draft picks to use on the offensive side of the ball, in particular their line.

Dion Jordan, DE Oregon (Draft)

This player will likely be Dallas's first-round pick, and for good reason.

Dion Jordan would be a great piece of the Dallas pass-rush, and has the speed and elusiveness to stop just about any quarterback in the NFC East.

This season, Jordan has 36 tackles and five sacks for the Ducks and is shooting up the big boards of many draftniks. He's a very exciting player to watch and would fit in with Ryan's aggressive defensive schemes.

Jordan is the player Dallas needs that will most likely be available for them in round one, and picking him would make an already good defense a great one. I would only pass on Jordan if an offensive lineman was the best player available for the Cowboys at their draft pick, for that position is a more important one.