Mailbag: What is the biggest team need now?

(Editor's Note: Time to check the mail! The DallasCowboys.com staff writers answer your questions here in 'Mailbag' presented by Miller Lite.)

It seems to me that the Cowboys are finally moving in the right direction as far as adding depth to multiple positions in free agency. What do you feel is the biggest team need after having a decent free-agent period thus far?– Chase Kidrick/Martinsburg, WV**

Nick: I would think the two positions that still need to be addressed - even before the draft - would be quarterback and cornerback. Now the good part here is that you're really talking about the backup spots but we've seen around here, those are very important at those two spots.

With Cooper Rush now in Baltimore, the Cowboys only have Will Grier behind Dak Prescott. I really don't think he's going to be the main option as the backup but I'll say this, Brian Schottenheimer has been here for three years and was one of the guys that really liked Grier's game. So maybe he has a shot to compete for the backup spot but I still think there will another quarterback or two in here. If they don't sign a veteran backup, then it probably means they're going to draft a quarterback in the middle rounds and probably groom him as the backup to Dak.

Also cornerback is another spot. Think about where the Cowboys thought they were last year in training camp. They had DaRon Bland, Trevon Diggs and Jourdan Lewis in the slot. Now, Bland is back but Diggs is hurt and there's a shot he might not be ready to start the season. They lost Lewis to the Jaguars but added Kaiir Elam, who is expected to start. But that still leaves a void either at slot corner or on the outside if Bland is the option to move in the slot on passing downs. Either way, they could use more depth at corner.

Kurt: This may sound kind of generic, but how about an impact player (or two)? So far, the Cowboys have done a great job of adding depth, but what they so desperately need are a few guys who can truly change games.

Right now, who is starting next to DaRon Bland at cornerback? They're either relying on a player returning from injury (Trevon Diggs), needing largely a backup to finally find his footing (Kaiir Elam) or that a young player takes the next step (Caelen Carson). How about at the second wide receiver spot, or defensive tackle, or running back, or linebacker? Heck, right now quarterback is a player returning from injury (Dak Prescott), a backup trying to find his footing (Will Grier) or a young player who would quickly need to develop (whoever they draft).

The Cowboys are a draft and develop team, and they've had success doing just that. But there sure are a lot of holes still in this lineup, more than can seemingly be filled in a single draft. And since making a splash in free agency just isn't their thing (unless it's signing their own), then what you get is the plan in place you see now.

Which again, can work. But unfortunately, there's also a lot of hope involved. Because when injury recovery proves more difficult, the young players aren't quite ready, and the backups are unable to excel as starters, you get, well, the 2024 season.