NFL teams
Matt Williamson, ESPN Staff Writer 10y

Fixes for remaining team needs

NFL, NFL Draft

A lot has happened in a short time in NFL free agency. Many teams have been aggressive filling their primary needs, but some clubs have major holes remaining that existed before free agency began.

But it's early, and there are plenty of signings yet to be made (to go along with a deep draft) to further enhance rosters across the league. Here are four teams that have big holes remaining, along with some suggestions as to how they can fill those holes. Bear in mind that I purposely left off teams with major quarterback needs and others -- like the Oakland Raiders -- that have more holes than any roster rightfully should.


Dallas Cowboys

The need: Defensive line

If the season were to start today, the Cowboys' starting defensive line most likely would be recently signed Jeremy Mincey at one defensive end spot with George Selvie opposite him and Henry Melton at defensive tackle. They had Nick Hayden with Frank Kearse or Terrell McClain before signing Melton on Tuesday. Tyrone Crawford also could factor in, but this is still a worrisome group of defensive linemen. Melton is coming off injury, but when right, he is the prototypical penetrating 3-technique defensive tackle and fits this scheme well. Of course, that's just one spot.

The salary cap has been a huge problem for Dallas, which led to the release of DeMarcus Ware. Jason Hatcher is now playing for rival Washington, and Spencer, Edgar Jones, Everette Brown, Jarius Wynn and a few other lesser-knowns from last year remain on the open market. Due to injuries, the Cowboys went through defensive linemen at a remarkable rate in 2013 en route to posting one of the league's worst defenses. They were especially poor against the run. Dallas needs a difficult-to-move defensive tackle at their 1-technique position as well as a threatening presence at end.

The fix: 

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