Entering the 2021 offseason, the Dallas Cowboys have a handful of different needs to address.

Multiple players in the defensive backfield are up for new contracts, the defensive line needs an influx of talent, and the linebacker corps has to be upgraded. The Cowboys could also add to the offensive line after an injury-plagued 2021.

The Dallas Cowboys currently hold the 10th overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft. That will provide them an opportunity to address one of their needs early. Cornerback and offensive line have been two popular positions so far in the draft process.

All of these needs must be filled in some shape or form by the Dallas Cowboys this offseason.

Secondary

The secondary as a whole must be addressed this offseason for the Dallas Cowboys. Cornerbacks Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis have expiring contracts, while safety Xavier Woods is in the same boat. All were drafted in the 2017 draft class, and all could very well be suiting up for different teams next season.

Trevon Diggs flashed at different points during his rookie season. but he also had some struggles. Pairing him with one of the draft's top corner prospects or a veteran free agent would be smart. It remains to be seen what the team has in 2020 fourth-rounder Reggie Robinson II.

Caleb Farley, Patrick Surtain II, and Jaycee Horn are viable options for the Cowboys through the draft at cornerback, while Richard Sherman is an interesting target through free agency.

Donovan Wilson played strong down the stretch, and he looks to be in line for a starting job. Safeties such as Malik Hooker and Keanu Neal could be on the Cowboys' radar this offseason.

No matter how the team decides to do it, the secondary must be improved in order for the Cowboys to truly be contenders in 2021.

Defensive line/pass rusher

The Dallas Cowboys defensive line, outside of DeMarcus Lawrence, needs a lot of work. Aldon Smith is a free agent, leaving a hole at pass rusher depending on what the team decides to do there. The hope is that Randy Gregory carries over his flashes from the end of 2020, but it is a little hard to bank all the way on that.

Dallas needs a presence in the interior of the defensive line. 2020 third-rounder Neville Gallimore showed some promising flashes to get excited about.

The team would be smart to re-sign Antwaun Woods, and it appears Gerald McCoy could be back with the Cowboys after missing the 2020 season. Those two would help, as would free agent Dalvin Tomlinson.

Draft targets along the defensive line for the Cowboys include Alim McNeil, Levi Onwuzurike, Christian Barmore, Patrick Jones II, Kwity Paye, and more. The Cowboys would be smart to beef up the trenches and add a pass rusher between now and May.

Offensive Line

The Cowboys once had the gold-standard of offensive line n the NFL. Tyron Smith, Zack Martin, Travis Frederick, Ronald Leary, and Doug Free protected Dak Prescott and paved the way for Ezekiel Elliott in 2016, but things have changed since.

Tyron Smith and Zack Martin are still as good as advertised when on the field, but both suffered injuries in 2020 that cost them multiple games — if not the majority of the season, in Smith's case. Additionally, La'el Collins did not play a single snap last season due to a hip injury, and other linemen were banged up at different points in the year.

Assuming that a deal does get done between the Cowboys and Dak Prescott, it would make sense to invest in pieces to protect the face of the franchise. Recent mock drafts have had the Cowboys picking a top tackle in this year's class, even though that may not be the team's biggest immediate need.

The Cowboys offense is the strength of the team and an advantage that they have over other teams in the NFC East; therefore, adding talent on that side of the ball needs to be on the to-do list.

Linebacker

It was not that long ago when many believed Leighton Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith were on the verge of becoming the next great linebacker tandem. Fast forward to 2021, and there are major question marks surrounding both of them.

Vander Esch struggles to stay on the field, while Smith has been trending downwards since his 2018 campaign. While linebacker is less important than defensive line and defensive back, it is still crucial to have capable bodies at those positions.

Perhaps the hiring of defensive coordinator Dan Quinn will have a positive impact on the linebacker corps and the Cowboys defense as a whole. Quinn and former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Kris Richard each led the defense up in Seattle during the Legion of Boom era, and both Vander Esch and Smith thrived in Richard's scheme in their first season playing in it.

Sean Lee is likely close to hanging it up, and Joe Thomas isn't quite to the point where you feel comfortable starting him for a full season. The Cowboys addressing the defensive tackle position should help the overall play from the unit.

Linebacker is a position that needs to have an influx of talent this offseason — be it through free agency or in the draft.

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