_(Editor's Note: Time to check the mail! The DallasCowboys.com staff writers answer your questions here in 'Mailbag' presented by Miller Lite.)_
_One of the biggest needs going into this_ _offseason has been linebacker, and there are still plenty of good veterans out there – Bobby Wagner, Devin Bush, Germaine Pratt, Deon Jones, Devin White. I mean, surely_ _one_ _of these guys_ _is_ _better than none of_ _them. What am I missing?_ **– Chad Cowden/Republic, MO**
**Nick:** Well, what you're probably missing is what we're all missing ... the asking price. What are those guys asking for? It's not like they don't have smart agents. They're probably asking for a lot, especially in guarantee because the last thing you want is for a player to sign a deal and they get cut after the draft.
For instance, if the Cowboys signed a veteran to cover themselves and then end up with Sonny Styles, it might not be the same need they had before ... and certainly not for that price. I'm not saying they don't need more than one linebacker but if you were to get one you really wanted, it probably changes your need/price to get a veteran.
It's clear the Cowboys tried to sign some of those veteran linebacker at the start of free agency, but they also didn't want to overpay. Once the price reached a higher figure, they didn't go that route. So what you're missing is what the Cowboys actually feel is a need and if they think it's as strong as you guys do.
I'm sure they have a plan but at this point, it's probably going to be a wait-and-see approach until the draft. Of course, if a player they like lowers the price tag or a team interesting in trading a linebacker changes the asking price, then Cowboys would jump at deal. They're at a point right now where they need one in free agency and the draft.