IRVING, Texas – Former Lions linebacker Justin Durant and former Steelers safety Will Allen are in the Valley Ranch facilities Monday to visit with the Cowboys.
Former Raiders and University of Texas safety Michael Huff is also reportedly making a visit with the team Monday.
The Cowboys currently lack the cap space to bring any of them on, but their decision to schedule visits would indicate they might be close on a couple deals of their own. An extension for quarterback Tony Romo would be the most pressing need for the team and for the cap, and owner/general manager Jerry Jones intimated last week at the NFL Owners Meetings that deal would happen soon. An extension for Anthony Spencer is another possibility.
The release of Marcus Spears as a June 1 cut will add more room to the cap in the summer, but without more restructures, cuts or extensions, it'll be difficult to get active in free agency.
Dallas has needs at safety and linebacker in the switch to the 4-3. Durant could be a candidate to compete as a strong side linebacker, after four years in Jacksonville and another two in Detroit. He played in all 16 games last season and recorded a career-high 103 combined tackles and half a sack.
Allen suited up for all 16 games the last two seasons for the Steelers, making seven starts last year. He finished with three passes defended and a forced fumble.
Huff's played all seven of his NFL seasons in Oakland after getting drafted in the first round in 2006. The former Longhorn had a career-high four sacks in 2010 and has picked off at least two passes in each of his last four seasons. [embedded_ad]
A veteran safety would provide the Cowboys more insurance at the position. Projected starter Barry Church and possible starter Matt Johnson are both inexperienced and coming off injury.
The Cowboys could also use more depth at the strong side linebacker spot. Executive vice president Stephen Jones indicated last week that the projected starter at the position is Kyle Wilber, but the fourth-round pick hasn't made a start in his career.
