NFL Draft 2011: 5 Undrafted Free Agents the Dallas Cowboys Must Target

So how did the Cowboys do with the National Football League draft? They picked up offensive lineman Tyron Smith and running back Demarco Murray, but they failed to draft a safety or defensive lineman, two areas of concern for a team who finished with a record of six wins and ten losses.

While Cowboys fans may feel team owner Jerry Jones dropped the ball by failing to address the secondary and defensive line, there is still time for the team to upgrade. Free agency always provides an opportunity for any team to either get better or get worse.

Take the Buffalo Bills and Shawn Merriman or the Cincinnati Bengals and Terrell Owens. Just because a team signs a free agent doesn’t guarantee success.

The Cowboys may go out and sign every free agent available on the market, but that doesn’t mean they’ll make it to the Super Bowl next season. That also doesn’t mean they shouldn’t try to improve their team through free agency.

One of the marvelous things about the draft is that there are always players out there who go unsigned.

Dallas may not have to go after an unsigned veteran free agent; they can just look at the list of undrafted college players who may have been on their board.

Here are five undrafted free agents the Cowboys should take a look at.

Ian Williams, DT

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SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 04: Ian Williams #95 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish encourages the crowd during a game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Notre Dame Stadium on September 4, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Purdue 23-12. (Photo

Williams is a pretty large guy, as he weighs in at a healthy 319 pounds. Depending on the type of defense he plays in the NFL, he’ll probably have to add some extra muscle to compete in the middle with some of the NFL’s larger offensive linemen.

Williams had a sit down with the Cowboys at the combine, and if Jerry is still interested in the beefy defensive lineman, then he would be a great addition to their defensive front.

Deunta Williams, FS

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CHAPEL HILL, NC - NOVEMBER 07: Deunta Williams #27 of the North Carolina Tar Heels runs with the ball after an interception against the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Kenan Stadium on November 7, 2009 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Str

From what I understand, the Cowboys like what they have at cornerback and may not address the position in free agency.

They must feel the same way about the safety position, because they completely overlooked drafting a strong or free safety.

Williams is controversial because he was a part of that North Carolina group of players who got caught up with an agent and suspended because of it. He also broke his leg at the end of the year and dropped off the radar due to his collection of problems.

Deunta is a pretty good coverage corner but lacks the speed to stay with the league’s fastest players. Still, I believe that Williams is better than what the Cowboys currently have.

Vance Cuff, CB

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 31: Vance Cuff #25 of the Georgia Bulldogs against the Florida Gators at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on October 31, 2009 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Kind of pointless to list a cornerback here if the Cowboys are happy with what they have, huh? Well, not really. If the Cowboys get the same type of production out of Newman and Jenkins next season, then the dream of playing in the Super Bowl stays just that, a dream.

Cuff is a pretty fast guy, ran a 4.3 in the 40 at the combine and has tremendous make up speed as well. Of course, one needs more than speed to make it in the NFL, but it's nice to have.

Cuff has his issues like any other undrafted player, but he can add needed depth to a light Cowboys defensive secondary.

Kendric Burney, CB

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CHAPEL HILL, NC - OCTOBER 11: Kendric Burney #16 of the North Carolina Tar Heels stops a pass in front of Golden Tate, #23 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during their game at Kenan Stadiium on October 11, 2008 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by

Another cornerback, I know. But the Cowboys will face more than a few good quarterbacks next season, and having a strong defensive backfield can’t hurt, can it?

Burney isn’t a terribly fast guy, but he seems to have good technique and can get physical against bigger receivers. The scouting report reads that he needs to get stronger and has a bad habit of trying to arm tackle.

But all signs point to yes regarding his coverage skills, and that’s where the help is needed in Dallas.

Jerrard Tarrant, S

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FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - SEPTEMBER 17: Cornerback Jerrard Tarrant #37 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets breaks up a pass intended for wide receiver LaRon Byrd #47 of the Miami Hurricanes at Land Shark Stadium on September 17, 2009 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (P

Tarrant will be a free safety at the next level due to his size and potential. He ran a decent 40 yard dash at the combine, 4.50, and is a pretty good punt return guy as well.

Tarrant is aggressive and isn’t afraid of a tackle. He’s also pretty decent in pass coverage, and if he doesn’t develop right away as a free safety, the Cowboys can always use him on special teams.