I think it's pretty important to replace Free in next year's draft not only because his salary is unsustainable going forward, or his declining play and pass protection, but because with the success the Cowboys have had on offense due to their investment in the offensive line, teams will take note and there may be a run on offensive linemen early.
It's really difficult to say how much we should invest to replace Free.
We'll see in the next few games, but Parnell played better at RT against the Giants than many first round OTs play during their rookie year.
I think we're going to need a cornerback and a defensive end next year in addition to a right tackle. The defense needs more help right now than the offense, but imagine what another first round draft pick tackle could do on this line. It would go that much further towards helping Romo. The other problem is as I stated earlier, if we don't get a tackle (or a guard who can move to Tackle, no I don't want to move Martin), then what happens when there is a run on them early?
They're going to need to re-sign Free or Parnell. They need to win while Romo is here and shouldn't depend on a rookie OT. Also, it's a bad idea to go into the draft with a must-have positional mindset. I wouldn't rule out Weems or Hawkins as the swing OT in 2015. Don't forget they put Leary on the practice squad when he was a rookie and then he started every game in his 2nd season.
Those 3 positions are the biggest needs this team has as of right now (assuming we basically bring everyone back) (note that we need to get a punter, but that is neither here nor there).
I would say that a defensive end is obviously more valuable than a corner, so I'd probably do this.
DE, RT, CB
Obviously as it relates to who is available though.
They need to cover absolute needs by signing or re-signing free agents. BPA is the best draft strategy.
If we can improve this pass rush next year, we can ride with Scandrick, Moore, Claiborne, Patmon, 3rd round rookie CB for a year. In 2016, we can re-invest in the secondary.
Again, they finally have a decent roster. Replacing Carr with Claiborne is a questionable move. If they did cut Carr they probably need a mid-tier free agent. Free Agency comes before the draft and you can't know what you'll get in the 3rd round.
We're actually pretty well positioned in 2016; here are our free agents for 2016:
Morris Claiborne - Gone, I'd say gone in 2015, but his contract is already guaranteed. At least it will be a contract year for him next year, so we should at least get the best out of him.
Mackenzy Bernadeau - High priced backup, which is fine and good right now, but he needs to be gone. We need to home grow cheaper depth.
Jeremy Mincey - Playing great for us right now, but similarly to Bernadeau, he needs to be replaced through the draft.
Yes, maybe gone in 2016, but I see these players on the team in 2015.
