Dallas Cowboys in Free Agency 2011: Michael Huff Should Be the First Priority

Michael Huff will become a free agent once the lockout concludes and he’s a perfect fit for what the Dallas Cowboys need.

The Oakland Raiders haven’t expressed too much interested in the free safety who recorded 94 tackles in 2010 and Huff has expressed interest in playing in Dallas.

"That's home, but you never know what's going to happen," Huff told the Star-Telegram at the University of Texas' Pro Day.

"I've got to want to go there, but they've got to want me. There are a bunch of things that go into the process."

The Cowboys should definitely have Huff on their radar.

There’s no telling when the lockout will end at this point; it could be in May, July or even November for all that we know.

So it’s important that whomever the Cowboys sign this offseason that they’re either a quick learner or already know the system.

Huff played for defensive coordinator Rob Ryan in 2006.

Also, with potentially shorter camps and Dallas’ window for winning a Super Bowl closing, they need someone who can start in 2011.

Huff started 27 games the past two seasons.

As for the draft, Mel Kiper has come out and stated that the safety draft class is pretty mediocre this year—that means that the top safeties of this class can be picked higher than their overall value.

The Cowboys have a need at safety, but hopefully they won’t reach for one.

With all of that said, doesn’t that make Michael Huff the best fit for the Dallas Cowboys?

Huff has played strong safety in his NFL career as well, so if Rob Ryan wants to keep Alan Ball at free safety, Huff still has a starting roster spot.

It almost seems like a no-brainer that Huff should be pursued in free agency. He’s shown that he can play and wants to be in Dallas.

The only red flag that I can see is that the Raiders don’t seem to want to re-sign Huff. The Raiders have more often-than-not overpaid their players, being labeled as the Washington Redskins of the west.

So, one must wonder why Huff doesn’t seem to be on the Raiders’ priority list.

I’ll take a player that’s a proven veteran, knows the system and wants to play for my team any day.

The Raiders might not want him, but I’m ok with that.

Jerry Jones hasn’t expressed interest in Huff just yet, but when he does, then we can start counting down the days until Huff returns home.