NFL Free Agency 2011: 5 Moves the Dallas Cowboys Still Must Make

The Cowboys made a nice addition to their secondary today by signing safety Abram Elam to a one-year deal worth $2.5 million. Elam is an upgrade over Alan Ball, who was moved back to his natural position of cornerback.

Elam had a nice stat line last season with 79 tackles and two interceptions. Elam should be able to bring that same production to Dallas, and if so, their secondary should do much better.

But even with the addition of Elam, the ‘Boys still have a few needs to fill in their defensive backfield.

Here are five moves the Cowboys still need to make to compete in the NFC East.

Sign Safety Deon Grant

Grant is a 12-year NFL vet who played fairly well for the Giants last season. He’s 32 years old and has made a significant impact for each team he’s suited up for.

Grant totaled 72 tackles last season with three picks and played better than what the Giants expected. He was signed as an insurance policy due to the health of Kenny Phillips, so the G-Men were comfortable in letting him go.

The Cowboys should snatch Grant to add depth and mobility to a weak secondary that could easily be turned into a strength in 2011.

Sign Cornerback Kelvin Hayden

Cornerback Kelvin Hayden is best known for intercepting Bears quarterback Rex Grossman in the Super Bowl that sealed the victory for the Colts.

Since that play, he’s played in only 20 regular season games and has had a problem staying healthy.

Hayden may be higher on the ‘Boys list of potential free agent signings now that cornerback Terrance Newman has injured his groin.

Offter OL Langston Walker One Year Deal

There was a rumor that the former Oakland Raider was considering retiring, but he quickly dismissed those rumors after speaking with Vittorio Tafur of SFGate.com.

Walker wants to remain a starter, and there are still teams around that can use his services in that capacity. My thought on Walker is that he would add needed depth to the Cowboys offensive line, and since he’s experienced, he could slide in if one of the new pieces on the line falters early.

The Cowboys may be able to get him for cheap, and if so, I say go for it.

Sign DE Jarvis Green as Rotational Player

Green isn’t a starter in this league, and if he is, it's for a team who has no options as defensive end.

Green could serve as a situational player rotating out with Spears, Hatcher and Coleman on obvious pass rushing downs.

It would be a stretch, but it’s worth a shot. What do the Cowboys have to lose?

Sign Safety Atari Bigby

Bigby isn’t on the list for the Cowboys, and rightfully so. He’s injury prone and isn’t the greatest cover safety in the league. But Dallas needs diversity in their secondary, and adding a hard hitting bench player to the fold may serve them well.

He would be a situational player like Jarvis Green, but he plays well enough for Dallas to at least explore the option.