The Mike McCarthy era has officially begun, as the 56-year-old was officially introduced as the new Dallas Cowboys head coach on Wednesday.

While a lot has been made about the changes that will take place on the field, McCarthy’s presence could have an even larger impact on the player acquisition process, as scouts and front office executives will be looking for players who fit in an entirely new system.

For example, with the prior regime, the Cowboys mostly ignored the nose tackle position while valuing size, length and speed at the cornerback spot; however, those preferences are likely to change under McCarthy’s rule.

Even though McCarthy will be busy filling out the rest of his staff and meeting players in his immediate future, one of his primary jobs this offseason will be to help the front office fill the holes on the roster left by the prior regime, whether that be through trade, the NFL draft, or free agency.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at how Dallas can fix some of their biggest needs:

Note: For the sake of this scenario, let’s assume Dallas re-signs both Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper, which is why QB and WR aren’t included.

Defensive tackle

No matter what scheme Mike Nolan plans to roll out on defense, the Cowboys need to fill and upgrade the defensive tackle position, as under tackle Maliek Collins and nose tackle Christian Covington are unrestricted free agents while Antwaun Woods is a restricted free agent.

NFL draft fix: Leki Fotu, Utah

While the Cowboys could right a previous wrong by drafting a defensive tackle in the first round, grabbing one in the second or third may be more likely. In that scenario, Utah’s Leki Fotu would be a wonderful option.

Listed at 6-5 and 335 pounds, the 2019 All-American has the appearance of a slow, plodding nose tackle (something new defensive line coach Jim Tomsula loathes), but he’s actually a very explosive and athletic interior presence for his size, as evidenced by the number of snaps where Fotu makes tackles outside the box (above clip).

Though Fotu has the power and lower-body strength to hold his ground at the point-of-attack versus single and double-teams, Fotu brings the additional benefit of being able to penetrate to make plays in the backfield.

Unfortunately, he doesn’t bring much in terms of pass rush right now (just 4.5 career sacks), which is why he’d be available, but he has the necessary traits – athleticism, strong hands and powerful hips - to develop in that area with some seasoning.

Fotu would provide the Cowboys with a young building block to construct their interior defensive line around under the new regime.

Free agency fix: DJ Reader, Houston Texans

If the Cowboys would like a more immediate fix than the draft would provide, then look no further than DJ Reader, who has the versatility to play in whatever scheme Nolan implements with the Cowboys.

Reader probably won’t come cheap, but he would immediately fill the biggest hole on Dallas’ interior defensive line. Take a look at this play from Houston’s game against Buffalo in the Wild Card round:

With his shade alignment over the center, Reader’s primary job is to occupy that A-gap. Once the ball is snapped, notice how he attacks the initial double team, which puts him in position to not only hold his ground but it also slows the right guard’s climb to the second level, which enables the LB to get downhill and in position to play off the block.

Once the guard climbs to the linebacker, Reader has already put the center on his heels, which makes it easy for Reader to shed the block and make the tackle.

This is the type of play the Cowboys have been missing from the defensive tackle position recently, and it’s something Reader has proven capable of consistently replicating during his time in Houston.

DJ Reader sack vs LAC pic.twitter.com/ltFkCZiIRm — All22Hype (@All22Hype) January 9, 2020

On top of that, Reader is also a noteworthy pass-rusher for 340-plus pounds. Much like Fotu, Reader came into the NFL with a lot of pass-rushing traits but little pass-rush production, but since entering the NFL, he’s gotten the seasoning necessary to turn those traits into production, as Reader has seen an increase in total pressures – from 18 his rookie year to 36 in 2019, per PFF – in every year since becoming a pro.

If the Cowboys want to find someone who can be an immediate fix from the moment they step into the facility, Reader is the best free agent defensive tackle to target.

Safety

The Cowboys have ignored the strong safety position for quite some time, as they’ve been satisfied with Jeff Heath’s middling play. This year, however, Heath is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent, which gives the new regime an opportunity to find a replacement.

NFL draft fix: Grant Delpit, LSU

Some may scoff at the idea of adding Delpit because of his similar skill set to Xavier Woods. Both thrive in coverage, and the opportunity to put two interchangeable safeties together could be a boon for the Cowboys’ defense, as it would give Dallas flexibility with their coverages on the back end.

Listed at 6-3 and 203 pounds, Delpit is comfortable playing from a variety of alignments, including deep, in the box and as an overhang (a force player who aligns outside of the box).

Grant Delpit has incredible range from the deep safety spot. Love that plus-break. pic.twitter.com/zzqjXbKLW1 — John Owning (@JohnOwning) January 9, 2020

As a deep safety, Delpit possesses incredible range - thanks to his quick processing and impressive speed - to make plays on passes near or outside the numbers. Moreover, Delpit possesses the outstanding ball skills to make an offense pay for targeting him, as evidenced by eight interceptions and 24 pass break-ups in his career.

When aligned around the box, Delpit shows outstanding awareness and impressive quickness to drive on passes underneath. It’s easy to tell that Delpit has a strong handle on the LSU scheme, as he’s usually the one getting defenders into the right alignment.

I struggle with Grant Delpit’s evaluation. For me, there are three requisite traits when I evaluate a safety: range, instincts, sure tackler.



Delpit has the first two, but his tackling has been a real problem. I counted four missed tackles on the Alabama tape. pic.twitter.com/YORG3M4FNJ — Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) November 13, 2019

Unfortunately, the one aspect of Delpit’s game that gives you pause is his tackling ability. Delpit struggled mightily, at times, in the tackling department this season.

While a nagging ankle injury explains some of his tackling woes, especially the ones where he struggles to come to balance when filling from space, it doesn’t explain them all. He had 16 missed tackles last season and followed that up with 20 missed tackles (as of Dec. 30, per PFF) on 71 opportunities this season.

While tackling consistency is a major issue, Delpit’s instincts, athleticism and coverage ability – he only gave up nine total receptions in coverage this season (as of Dec. 30, per PFF) – could be enough for Dallas to overlook the issues.

Trade fix: Jamal Adams, New York Jets

After flirting with a Jamal Adams trade midseason, the Cowboys could look to pull the trigger on the playmaking safety during the offseason.

The unfortunate reality of an Adams trade would be that it’d likely cost the Cowboys a first-round pick; however, Adams is such a catalytic presence on the back end of a defense that it’s easy to see how the Cowboys’ front office could deem him worthy of it.

Adams is one of the most productive safeties in the NFL, finishing first in total pressures (25) among safeties, which signifies his blitzing ability, and fourth in total stops (36) to go along with an interception and four pass break-ups this season, per PFF.

Adams thrives in the box where he can attack running schemes and make plays in short-to-intermediate zones but don’t get it twisted, Adams has the skill set to thrive in man coverage and when aligned deep, as well.

It may cost a pretty penny, but Adams is the perfect type of safety to pair with Xavier Woods, and his presence and playmaking ability could raise the effectiveness of the defense as a whole.

Tight end

The tight end position was one of the major disappointments of the 2019 season, as Jason Witten’s presence did little to improve the effectiveness of the unit.

Witten, whose future is still up in the air, was an average blocker who lacked the necessary athleticism to create separation. The Cowboys would be better off if Witten retired rather than him hogging 80% of the 2020 snaps. Blake Jarwin, who is scheduled to become a restricted free agent and will likely return, has a ton of upside, but is a below-average blocker who ruined many well-blocked running plays for the Cowboys. Dalton Schultz is, by far, the best blocker of the trio, but his inability to be productive in the passing game limits his role.

While the Cowboys could go into next season with Jarwin and Schultz as the top two tight ends, it makes sense for Dallas to look for an upgrade at one of the most talent-deficient spots on the roster.

NFL draft fix: Cole Kmet, Notre Dame

Unfortunately, this year’s tight end class isn’t very strong at the top; however, that doesn’t mean a player such as Cole Kmet wouldn’t be a nice option in the second or third round.

Listed at 6-4 and 235 pounds, Kmet is one of the more well-rounded tight ends in the draft. He’s not going to blow anyone away with his speed, but Kmet is a reliable receiver who can be effective in the short-to-intermediate areas or as a big-bodied target down the seam. Kmet possesses plus-ball skills and does well in contested catch situations. He had 43 receptions for 515 yards and six touchdowns as a junior.

Moreover, Kmet isn’t a dominating blocker, but he’s shown an understanding of how to use his body to cut off a defender’s pursuit. Based on his size and strength, Kmet can develop into an effective blocker in the NFL with some teaching.

While Kmet may not be ready to step into a No. 1 tight end role immediately, his presence would immediately improve the Cowboys’ depth at the position.

Free agency fix: Hunter Henry, Los Angeles Chargers

If the Cowboys are looking for a tight end who can step in and fill the No. 1 role immediately, then Hunter Henry would be a great option in free agency.

Listed at 6-5 and 250 pounds, Henry has proven to be an effective pass-catching option in the Chargers’ offense, posting 55 catches for 652 yards and five touchdowns last season. Henry is a big-bodied and sure-handed receiver (only eight career drops, per PFF) who is an effective short-to-intermediate weapon.

Like most tight ends in the NFL, Henry is an average, at best, blocker whose best work is done when he can use his big body to turn linebackers and defensive backs in the run game. Force Henry to block a defensive lineman or edge defender by himself and the results won’t be pretty.

Still, Henry is a big enough blocking upgrade over Jarwin that Dallas could see tangible benefits in the running game.

With Henry in the fold, the Cowboys could have an effective in-line tight end whose blocking ability (or lack thereof) won’t inhibit Dallas’ rushing attack. Furthermore, it would enable Dallas to use Jarwin in a role that better fits his skill set, such as a big slot option in passing situations.