The NFL's legal tampering period opened Monday, meaning the Dallas Cowboys can now "officially" contact outside free agents.

They will be faced with numerous decisions throughout the free agency and NFL draft cycles. In their attempt to build the best roster possible, the Cowboys will have to weigh the pros and cons of filling their needs through free agency or the draft.

Recently, they have opted to use free agency to fill specific holes with respectable talent, devoting most of their energy toward the draft. Without further ado, let's analyze a few potential choices the Cowboys will have to make as free agency gets underway:

DECISION : Sign Earl Thomas for big money, draft a safety on Day 2, or sign Adrian Phillips for an affordable contract?

Even though both starting safeties return in 2019, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones declared safety as a key need before the offseason.

Earl Thomas INT vs HOU. pic.twitter.com/86c3mA1PwJ — All22Hype (@All22Hype) February 5, 2019

The Cowboys rarely choose to make a splash in free agency, but Earl Thomas could be the exception. The Texas native is the league's premier free safety, possessing a unique mix of athleticism, intelligence and play-making ability. During the Seattle Seahawks' reign atop the NFC, Thomas was the leading force of the defense, patrolling the deep middle of the field with incredible fervor.

It should be noted that paying Thomas doesn't come without risks. He will be 30 years old when training camp opens while carrying a troubling injury history, as he's finished two of the last three seasons on injured reserved. Paying him carries the risk of value lost due to injury.

Also, signing Thomas means the Cowboys would either have to move Xavier Woods from his best position -- free safety -- or maintain Jeff Heath as the starting strong safety, the same player who led all safeties in missed tackles against the run.

If the Cowboys would rather get a cheaper option, Pro Bowl special teamer Adrian Phillips would be a great fit. While he was rewarded for his efforts on special teams in 2018, Phillips is also a talented safety, making a noticeable positive impact for the Chargers when he's on the field.

Phillips, who is also a Texas native, is lauded for his football intelligence and it shows, as he's rarely out of place or fooled by play-action. On top of that, he is a reliable tackler who is excellent in coverage from the box and when aligned deep in split-safety coverages (Cover 2/4). Phillips lacks the range to be an every-down free safety in the Cowboys' defense, but he could thrive as a strong safety.

Phillips' presence would allow Woods to remain at his best position while upgrading the strong safety position.

In the event that free agency doesn't bear any fruit, the Cowboys could look to upgrade the safety position on Day 2 of the draft.

We should be talking about Taylor Rapp (6'0", 200) more than we currently are. He's a do it all type of safety.



Not as lengthy, but he reminds me a lot of Harrison Smith coming out of Notre Dame. pic.twitter.com/cNhemf15rg — Jordan Reid (@JReidNFL) February 11, 2019

Washington's Taylor Rapp would be an outstanding addition, but he may not last until pick No. 58. Virginia's Juan Thornhill is another potential option in Round 2, but his excellent performance at the NFL scouting combine may put him out of Dallas' grasp.

Mississippi State safety Johnathan Abram showing off his run stopping ability chasing down the Reverse from the far side to get a TFL #NFLDraft #HailState pic.twitter.com/o8jEqRtdIT — Brian Johannes (@Draft_Brian) January 11, 2019

Mississippi State's Johnathan Abram would provide the Cowboys with a physical tone-setter in the secondary. He's a downhill thumper who could be a major asset defending the run. Unfortunately, Abram displays some stiffness in his hips, causing him to struggle in coverage at times.

Even though drafting a safety would be significantly cheaper and signing Phillips would be a more seamless fit, the best decision for the Cowboys would be to eschew their normal free agency approach and pay Thomas what is necessary to put a star on his helmet.

Since 2015, the Cowboys have failed to finish better than 24th in interceptions, finishing with 10 or fewer interceptions in each of those seasons. As long as he remains healthy, those totals will almost assuredly increase with Thomas' presence.

With head coach Jason Garrett entering a contract year and owner Jerry Jones adamant in his urgency to win immediately, signing Thomas is the only decision that makes sense. He's the type of presence who could turn the Cowboys' defense from good in 2018 to great in 2019 -- the other options can't do that.

Verdict : Sign Earl Thomas.

DECISION : Sign Dion Jordan, or draft a defensive end in the second round?

Even though there is a slight chance Randy Gregory still suits up in 2019, the Cowboys would be wise to operate as if the talented pass rusher will miss next season, which is why they will likely look to add talent to the defensive end position in free agency or the draft.

Most of the enticing names in free agency, such as Trey Flowers and Justin Houston, are likely to cash in on big deals that are out of the Cowboys' price range. Therefore, it would make much more sense if Dallas went bargain hunting for another defensive end.

Those types of players typically don't make a discernible impact on their new teams, but one name who may be the exception is former Seahawks defensive end Dion Jordan, the third overall pick of the 2013 draft.

Jordan, who has dealt with his fair share of injuries, will likely come cheap but has the talent to make a noticeable impact for the Cowboys. Listed at 6-foot-6, 284 pounds, he has the size and length the Cowboys covet in defensive ends while also possessing impressive athletic traits.

This is an impressive rep from #RollTide EDGE Christian Miller, where he shows impressive hand technique/timing and cornering ability.



Miller is an EDGE to keep an eye on as the process moves forward. Very impressed in early studies of him. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/QgHzqHVIFd — John Owning (@JohnOwning) February 12, 2019

If the Cowboys decide not to target a defensive end in free agency, there could be a couple of enticing defensive end options for the Cowboys in the second round of the draft. Alabama's Christian Miller fits the profile of a Cowboys defensive end to go along with some enticing pass-rush traits. He possesses the speed and lower-body flexibility to consistently win on the outside edge track and has outstanding hands to shorten the edge as well.

OK let's dive into Michigan EDGE Chase Winovich.



1st up, one theme of a lot of CW's successful rushes is he's excellent at layering his footwork to manipulate an OTs pass set to his advantage.



Here, he takes a hard step inside before expanding outside & then back inside again. pic.twitter.com/6hAHNwIhCR — John Owning (@JohnOwning) March 4, 2019

Michigan's Chase Winovich is another potential target. He may not have the length (32 3/4-inch arms) the Cowboys desire, but he has the play style and talent of a defensive end in Rod Marinelli's system. Winovich's motor consistently runs hot -- he's rarely seen loafing on film -- and he showcases the active hands required to be an effective pass rusher in the NFL.

Ultimately, the only way the Cowboys can ensure a replacement for Gregory this offseason is by signing a free agent defensive end, as there's no guarantee Winovich or Miller will be available to draft in the second round since pass rushers tend to go off the board quickly. Jordan is the perfect mix of price tag and skill set to justify the move in free agency.

Signing Jordan gives the Cowboys the ability to not feel the need to reach for pass-rush help early in the draft, allowing them to adhere to the best-player-available strategy as much as possible.

Verdict : Sign Dion Jordan (only draft a defensive end if the value is right).

DECISION : Sign Ty Montgomery, or draft a running back on Day 3?

With Rod Smith unlikely to be re-signed, the Cowboys will need to find a backup running back.

Throwback to when Ty Montgomery was chopping up the bears defense pic.twitter.com/G3hMwfCGTv — 13 Days 🧀 (@HailRodgers12) May 21, 2017

In free agency, former Green Bay Packers and Baltimore Ravens running back Ty Montgomery would be a stellar fit in terms of price tag and skill set. Montgomery, a former wide receiver, has proven the ability to be an effective running back (averaging 4.9 yards per carry) and his days as a receiver enable him to be a dangerous pass catcher out of the backfield.

Montgomery could fill Smith's former role well as a complement to Ezekiel Elliott. Montgomery's ability as a receiver gives Dallas the ability to get creative. The Cowboys could use him in a plethora of two-running back sets to exploit mismatches against opposing teams' base defenses.

Because they are looking for, at most, a complementary running back, don't expect the Cowboys to pull the trigger on one in the draft until at least the fourth round. Luckily, there are endless options depending on the particular skill set the Cowboys are looking for.

Justice Hill: RB OKST.



You can probably guess what I’m going to say by watching this video. He’s a jump cut MACHINE.



Hill shows speed and great footwork. Very elusive and hard to bring down

pic.twitter.com/hLEjQIlpRS — Austin F (@unclemike21) March 6, 2019

Oklahoma State's Justice Hill is one of the most athletic backs in the class, possessing impressive home run-hitting ability as a runner to go along with his skills as a receiver. Utah State's Darwin Thompson is another athletic, jitterbug type of running back who could complement Elliott well.

Nebraska RB Devine Ozigbo (5'11", 222) -

4.54 40-yard dash at his pro day w/excellent jumps (37" vert, 10'4" broad). He's a hassle to bring down when he gets goin' - pic.twitter.com/i4XXdiqtBp — Michael Kist (@MichaelKistNFL) March 9, 2019

If the Cowboys are looking for a more traditional type, Nebraska's Devine Ozigbo would be a great fit, as the 6-foot, 230-pound running back possesses excellent vision and power to go along with more nimble feet than you would expect from a back his size.

Bryce Love now has 11 TDs of 50+ yards this season.



That’s more than any TEAM in FBS. pic.twitter.com/01DNqNFWdM — ESPN (@espn) December 29, 2017

Stanford's Bryce Love is a risky pick with the potential to pay off in a big way, as he is currently recovering from a torn ACL suffered in his final season at Stanford. When healthy, Love is a home-run hitter who would provide Dallas with a starting-caliber backup to Elliott.

Altogether, drafting a running back is a much better option than signing a player such as Montgomery. Running backs in the NFL have a short life span and it doesn't make much sense to pay an elevated price for a veteran when a team can get a younger and cheaper player with similar talent in the draft.

Verdict : Draft a running back on Day 3.

DECISION : Sign Jermey Parnell, or draft an offensive tackle on Day 3?

Cameron Fleming proved to be an upgrade over Chaz Green as Dallas' swing tackle last year, but he did not play to a level that should dissuade the Cowboys from upgrading the position.

Jermey Parnell looked GOOD against the Texans 👀 #Jaguars pic.twitter.com/Ov5qJJpBMH — Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) September 13, 2017

Luckily for the Cowboys, a potential upgrade was made available last week when the Jacksonville Jaguars released offensive tackle Jermey Parnell -- who was actually converted from defensive end to offensive tackle by the Cowboys in 2010 -- to open up cap space.

After proving to be a starting-caliber offensive tackle in his appearances with the Cowboys, Parnell departed for Jacksonville, where he received a five-year, $32 million contract. During his time in Jacksonville, Parnell proved to be an above-average right tackle, possessing a powerful two-hand punch to knock defensive ends off their track to go along with his already outstanding play strength.

Knee injuries have sapped a bit of Parnell's athleticism, making it more difficult for him to expand to the depth necessary to combat the speedier pass rushers. But the 10-year veteran has the savvy, mental-processing ability and experience to mitigate what he's lost in athletic ability.

If the Cowboys decide against signing Parnell in free agency, then Fleming will remain Dallas' backup swing tackle. In this scenario, the Cowboys could look to find Fleming's eventual replacement on Day 3 of the draft -- someone who could be molded by Marc Colombo over the next two or three years.

Saw @MoveTheSticks post about SDSU LT Tyler Roemer today, so I wanted to check out his tape.



This guy can play. Displays some serious rotational strength here (Though it does get disrupt the puller). He does this a lot. pic.twitter.com/iuUBsQSQuK — John Owning (@JohnOwning) February 14, 2019

San Diego State offensive tackle Tyler Roemer would be an exciting option past the fourth round. He displays excellent rotational power to toss defensive linemen to the ground while showing effective length and mirror ability to thrive in pass protection. Roemer still needs to improve his raw strength, especially in his lower body, along with cleaning up his footwork issues when defending inside moves.

#USC OT Chuma Edoga clearly needs work with the placement of his punch and handwork. But it’s his feet that have my attention here. Edoga is having a great week. pic.twitter.com/sEu1Ubu2gg — Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 24, 2019

USC's Chuma Edoga is another prospect who could be a great developmental project at tackle. Edoga finished second among draft-eligible offensive tackles in pressures allowed in 2018, surrendering just three pressures on 304 pass-rush snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. He is still raw technically but possesses a ton of enticing physical traits. Miami's Tyree St. Louis could another enticing option on Day 3 as well.

All in all, signing Parnell to upgrade the swing tackle position is the best choice for the Cowboys this offseason. Because of Tyron Smith and La'el Collins' checkered injury histories, the swing tackle will inevitably be forced into action in 2019, making the position much more valuable than a typical backup.

Fleming is merely an average offensive tackle and drafting one on Day 3 is nothing more than a lottery ticket. With Fleming at offensive tackle, the Cowboys are forced to pare down their offense in an effort to give him the help he needs to survive on the edge in pass protection. With Parnell filling in for either Smith or Collins, the Cowboys wouldn't be forced to do that, as Parnell is much more equipped to survive without the need for a steady supply of chip blocks and slide protections.

Count me in on Jermey Parnell being the #Cowboys Swing T. pic.twitter.com/BAzaISJzQt — John Owning (@JohnOwning) March 10, 2019

As long as the price is manageable, the choice is easy: sign Parnell.

Verdict : Sign Jermey Parnell.

DECISION : Re-sign Cole Beasley, or draft a slot receiver on Day 2 or 3?

Cole Beasley has undeniably become an extremely reliable and valuable weapon on offense. The diminutive slot receiver possesses outstanding quickness and change-of-direction ability, making him one of the most difficult receivers to defend from the slot.

Giving Cole Beasley a free release on third down is gifting DAL a first down. Happens every week, and I hope it continues to happen. pic.twitter.com/8yh3mKRAm1 — John Owning (@JohnOwning) December 10, 2018

Beasley has become one of the league's best slot receivers, and he's made it apparent he expects to get paid like it in free agency. While he has proven to be one of the Cowboys' more valuable weapons, paying a slot receiver $20 million guaranteed isn't the best allocation of resources under a hard salary cap, especially with Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, DeMarcus Lawrence, Amari Cooper and Byron Jones needing extensions in the next year or two.

Luckily for Dallas, the 2019 draft is filled with desirable slot receivers.

#UMass WR Andy Isabella (5-foot-9, 188) — 4.31 40 time. Long-speed + the short-area quicks to separate from coverage. Check the route here...Set-up the CB & go get the deep ball. #NFL @NFLMatchup pic.twitter.com/AtM8C07P95 — Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) March 2, 2019

UMass' Andy Isabella has become a fan favorite of Cowboys Nation and for good reason, as he possesses a wider skill set than his small frame would suggest. He possesses outstanding deep speed and route-running ability, giving him the ability to stretch a defense vertically. Drafting Isabella comes with a high price, however, as Dallas would likely have to pull the trigger in the second round.

Mecole Hardman -

Another screen pass example. Great feel for space. pic.twitter.com/Cvg4F7Bf4l — Christian (@ChristianR_Vill) March 8, 2019

Georgia's Mecole Hardman provides similar deep speed, is extremely dangerous after the catch and can likely be had a round or two later than Isabella.

From Wednesday’s practice inside... I can’t help but see Taylor Gabriel in Penny Hart’s game. Strong at the start by Adderley, Hart’s explosion is instant. pic.twitter.com/ywFNcVzEve — Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) January 23, 2019

Georgia State's Penny Hart lit up the Senior Bowl, displaying the traits necessary to thrive in the slot in the NFL. He is an effective route runner who uses his quickness to create separation out of his breaks, making him one of the best pure slot receivers in the draft. He doesn't possess the deep speed of Hardman, but Hart is a much more refined route runner.

Some other desirable slot receivers who Dallas could look to to replace Beasley include Clemson's Hunter Renfrow, Wake Forest's Greg Dortch and Toledo's Diontae Johnson.

Though it'd be odd to see Beasley line up in another uniform, his price appears to simply be too high for the Cowboys to justify retaining him. A rookie is unlikely to immediately replicate Beasley's production, but at a greatly reduced price, a rookie slot receiver can replicate enough of the production to justify replacing Beasley.

Verdict : Draft a slot receiver on Day 2 or 3.

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Twitter: @JohnOwning