(Editor's Note: Time to check the mail! The DallasCowboys.com staff writers answer your questions here in 'Mailbag' presented by Miller Lite.)
One of the biggest needs going into this offseason has been linebacker, and there are still plenty of good veterans out there – Bobby Wagner, Devin Bush, Germaine Pratt, Deon Jones, Devin White. I mean, surely one of these guys is better than none of them. What am I missing? – Chad Cowden/Republic, MO
Nick: Well, what you're probably missing is what we're all missing ... the asking price. What are those guys asking for? It's not like they don't have smart agents. They're probably asking for a lot, especially in guarantee because the last thing you want is for a player to sign a deal and they get cut after the draft.
For instance, if the Cowboys signed a veteran to cover themselves and then end up with Sonny Styles, it might not be the same need they had before ... and certainly not for that price. I'm not saying they don't need more than one linebacker but if you were to get one you really wanted, it probably changes your need/price to get a veteran.
It's clear the Cowboys tried to sign some of those veteran linebacker at the start of free agency, but they also didn't want to overpay. Once the price reached a higher figure, they didn't go that route. So what you're missing is what the Cowboys actually feel is a need and if they think it's as strong as you guys do.
I'm sure they have a plan but at this point, it's probably going to be a wait-and-see approach until the draft. Of course, if a player they like lowers the price tag or a team interesting in trading a linebacker changes the asking price, then Cowboys would jump at deal. They're at a point right now where they need one in free agency and the draft.
Patrik: It's as Schottenheimer said recently, they definitely tried to in free agency. The attempt for Nakobe Dean was very aggressive, very competitive and very public, but Dean opted for more locker room familiarity. I don't believe that put them out on trying to acquire one, however. I believe they've tried and are continually trying to work out a trade of some sort to get one ahead of the draft, because that would truly allow them to focus on BPA and not a mix of BPA + need. If, for whatever reason one isn't added, go ahead and circle the position as being addressed with one of the two first-round picks but, for my money, and barring a trade for a substantially impactful linebacker ahead of the draft, I'd still circle that position when the Cowboys go on the clock.
My Open Market series named Dean and Bush as two of my top wants, with Wagner on my list as well. Two of them are still available, so that tells you where my head is regarding signing them. We can only wait and see how the Cowboys choose to approach it in April and/or May.
Mailbag
Here's your chance to ask a question for the staff writers. Submit your entry now!
