I think that Spears will be resigned after his showing the past two season. I think that he will get a lucrative contract, but give the Cowboys a hometeam discount and stays.
J Williams is the resident replacement for a future opening at middle linebacker, and even Bobby Carpenter could grow more strongly that way as well. Williams showed up on special teams play against New Orleans.
I look for the four defensive ends to stay around for two to three more seasons, and this would include both Hatcher and Bowen, who has been very strong in a rotational role. I am still holding out for a future role by Marcus Dixon. He and Bowen would be a good pair in rotation. We shall see here.
I am liking the prospects of a still developing Free for the swing and left side backup, and Brewster as the sub for Colombo on the strong side.
I agree as to the need as a strong player to fill the role in the interior offensive line...or maybe both a guard and a center to develop up together.
I don't forsee contract problems in retaining both Ken Hamlin and Sensabaugh...so I think that Pat Watkins, Ball, and 'rook' Hamlin as adequate for backside strength at safety. I still like Newman, and his 17 defensed passes so far have me still sold on his future in Dallas. Ball can still be the 'swing' man able to play both safety and corner, but I would like one more young and fast corner added to Jenkins and Scandrick, projecting to a future secondary as well.
Looking right now, I would keep an eye to middle linebacker, incase Bobby Carpenter was deemed expendable. I would look to add a pair of offensive interior linemen, a super fast cornerback, and a dominant defensive tackle either for the nose, or a projected dominating influence to add to that of Ware, Spencer, and Ratliff...