The Dallas Cowboys saw significant losses this offseason, self-imposing some and not having a choice in others. A handful of these departures need to be addressed during the draft this coming weekend.
No move was bigger than trading defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa to the San Francisco 49ers from a money perspective, having shed, at minimum, $16.25 million owed. Jerry Jones was prepared to lose Odighizuwa, though, having Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams in-house and adding Otito Ogbonnia and Jonathan Bullard for Christian Parker and Co.'s 3-4 base scheme.
These three offseason losses don't yet have a proper succession plan in place and need to be addressed from Thursday to Friday in Pittsburgh:
Jalen Tolbert, WR
While the Cowboys have plenty of talent in their receiving corps, and already had Ryan Flournoy ascending to the WR3 role before he signed with the Miami Dolphins, Jalen Tolbert's departure is one worthy of addressing with a fourth-round pick.
Dallas appears to be zoning in on Louisville Cardinals senior Chris Bell as a Z receiver replacement after meeting the Yazoo City, Mississippi native a few weeks ago. It's possible Bell isn't ready for the start of the season, but there will be plenty of mouths to feed with CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens at the top of the depth chart.
The Cowboys also met with the Ole Miss Rebels' WR De'Zhaun Stribling, who may be a reach for either of their first-rounders but might not be available in the third round or later.
Jack Sanborn, MLB
Dallas and Jack Sanborn got to a place where the two sides were better off without the other. Without him, though, and with Logan Wilson having been released and then retiring, there is an opening in the middle.
The Cowboys have met with Texas Tech Red Raiders star Jacob Rodriguez and Texas Longhorns star Anthony Hill Jr. in the pre-draft process, and could take either in the first round, or potentially trade back into the late first/early second round. It's clear the Jones family knows finding someone inside is a pressing need.
Jadeveon Clowney, DE/EDGE
Jadeveon Clowney was essentially a mid-season mercenary meant to help Dallas make a playoff push that never came to fruition. Then, he amassed 8.5 sacks, and the Cowboys considered a reunion, only to balk at the price tag for the 33-year-old and the transition to a new system under Parker.
Dallas is almost certainly going to address the edge in what is a historic draft for edge rushers. More than likely, Jones will use one of his first-round picks. Don't be surprised if the Cowboys go with whoever is left at No. 12 if they don't trade up or back.
The front office has met with the Miami Hurricanes' Rueben Bain Jr., Texas Tech's David Bailey, and the Texas A&M Aggies' Cashius Howell so far in the predraft process.
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