This is the time of year when the Cowboys usually make moves in free agency due to their bargain-basement approach. One position, in particular, could use more depth, and that's linebacker.

Outside of Micah Parsons, the Cowboys have Leighton Vander Esch who has had injury issues for multiple seasons, and Jabril Cox who is coming back from a torn ACL that he suffered last October as a rookie.

A name that has been thrown around is Anthony Barr, a four-time Pro Bowl selection during his days with the Minnesota Vikings. Bill Barnwell of ESPN predicted last month that Barr would sign with the Cowboys. His colleague, Matt Bowen, is of the same mindset, naming the Cowboys as the best fit for Barr.

Bowen wrote the following:

"There is a premium on second-level players with sub-package traits in Dan Quinn's defensive system. The Cowboys played a league-low 11 snaps of base defense in 2021. Enter Barr, who has the three-down ability to drop in coverage, pressure the QB and/or track the ball in the run game.

While I don't see high-level impact ability with Barr at this stage of his career, he can be schemed-up in Quinn's defense as a blitzer, and we know he has the ability to match/carry underneath in coverage. Barr picked off three passes last season in Minnesota.

Plus, with another rangy linebacker in Dallas, Quinn can drop Micah Parsons down as a defensive end in clear passing situations. The 2021 Defensive Rookie of the Year registered a pass rush win rate of 29.2% last season, tops in the NFL."

Barr has multiple ties to the Cowboys. In 2014, they wanted to draft Barr instead of Zack Martin in the first round after a disastrous season defensively, but he went ninth to the Vikings. The four Pro Bowls that Barr made there came under the tutelage of George Edwards, who was his defensive coordinator and now serves as a senior defensive assistant for the Cowboys.

The last two seasons have been injury-plagued for Barr, evidenced by his 20 games missed. He did manage to accumulate 72 tackles in 11 games last season, the third-most of his career, which had him on pace to set a new benchmark in Year 8, had he stayed healthy. Also, he hauled in a career-high three interceptions.

It's a move that makes sense for the Cowboys, and it's more than affordable with the extra funds they received recently due to the La'el Collins release. However, the ever so cautious Stephen Jones, the team's executive vice president, and money overseer has to pull the trigger, which is easier said than done.

Feature image via Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports