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The Dallas Cowboys were almost $20 million over the salary cap when the offseason began, but the restructuring of contracts and releasing of some players put the team in a better situation after the NFL draft.

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The Cowboys are a little more than $5 million under the salary cap. They will pick up an additional $2 million when the release of defensive end Marcus Spears takes effect June 1.

That means the Cowboys will have $7 million available to sign draft picks and free agents. That figure could increase if right tackle Doug Free is released (saving $7 million) or takes a pay cut (an undetermined amount of savings).

Defensive end Anthony Spencer is under contract for $10.6 million, but his cap number could be decreased if he is signed to a long-term deal.

The Cowboys want to have salary-cap space during the season in the event obtaining a veteran free agent is necessary due to injury. Last season, the Cowboys signed Charlie Peprah, Brady Poppinga, Brian Schaefering, Ernie Sims and Anthony Armstrong because of injuries.

Right now, the Cowboys are on target to have enough space to take care of draft picks and free agents before and during the season.

IRVING, Texas – Unless the Cowboys make a trade back into the seventh round, they concluded their draft Saturday by taking South Carolina linebacker DeVonte Holloman with the 185th overall pick.

Holloman had 55 tackles, two sacks and three interceptions as a senior after spending his first three seasons at safety.

He is projected as a strong-side linebacker where he would compete with Justin Durant, Alex Albright and Ernie Sims. His time as a safety could help him as a special teams’ contributor as well as in covering tight ends.

Holloman had a DUI arrest in 2011, which is a sensitive subject surrounding the Cowboys with the incidents involving Josh Brent and Jay Ratliff in December and January.

It is the ninth straight year the Cowboys have drafted at least one linebacker.

PHOENIX -- The Cowboys have some holes to fill on defense.

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One of the main areas that needs to be addressed is the other outside linebacker spot as the team moves to a 4-3 alignment.

Team executive vice president Stephen Jones has endorsed Kyle Wilber to take the strongside position.

Sean Lee (middle) and Bruce Carter (weak side) will hold the other two spots.

"I hope Wilber," Jones said when asked who he thought would be the other starting linebacker. "We signed Ernie Sims. It’s obviously a veteran deal there, but I think it’s time for Kyle Wilber to step up. There’s a lot of things we liked about him last year and we’re hoping that he can step up and take that challenge."

Wilber, a 2012 fourth-round pick from Wake Forest, played 10 games and was credited with just three tackles. He looked lost at times playing in the 3-4, but there is hope he will respond in his sophomore season.

Wilber isn't the only one fighting for a starting job, however. Alex Albright (16 total tackles) and Sims (42 total tackles) will also get some looks at the strongside linebacker spot.

There was some offseason discussion about moving Wilber to defensive end, but it seems he's better suited to play outside linebacker.

"At that spot it’d be Wilber. Also, we’ve got Albright that’ll try that spot out, and then we’ve got Ernie now," Jones said. "We think we’re pretty good."

Eighth in a 10-part series breaking down the Cowboys' free-agency needs, position by position:

Linebackers

Who’s on the roster: Sean Lee, Bruce Carter, Caleb McSurdy, Dan Connor, Kyle Wilber, Alex Albright, Orie Lemon

Analysis: In Lee and Carter, the Cowboys appear set at the Mike (middle) and Will (weakside) linebacker spots. However, both players are coming off injuries and must prove they can stay healthy. The Sam (strong side) is in question, but Albright looks to be the best in-house candidate. Wilber didn’t play much as a rookie but has athletic ability. Connor could be a cap casualty soon and Lemon might not be tendered as an exclusive-rights free agent. McSurdy is coming off an Achilles injury but could be an OK fit as a backup. Just based on numbers, the Cowboys will need to add some players here.

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NFL free agents of interest: Ernie Sims, Chase Blackburn, Keith Rivers, Will Witherspoon, Geno Hayes

Need meter: 7. When the Cowboys ran the 3-4, they generally needed bigger linebackers to withstand more direct play with the offensive linemen. With the 4-3 that changes to a degree, with speed being a top priority. But, as with every position in free agency, don’t look for the Cowboys to spend a lot of money. Not with Lee entering the final year of his deal and Carter up the year after him. Sims played well after joining the Cowboys following Lee’s toe injury. Sims is a better fit for a 4-3 and would be a solid backup. The Cowboys had mild interest in Blackburn last year, and he did some nice things for the Giants.

The Cowboys have knocked off two of their 18 free agents, with the signing of center Phil Costa to a two-year deal on Saturday and deep snapper L.P. Ladouceur signing a five-year contract on Friday.

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Here's what's left of the Cowboys' free agents and the possibility of the team signing them:

Linebacker Victor Bulter. The team could bring him back as a possible candidate to play outside linebacker. He does make plays, but isn't consistent.

Cornerback Michael Coe. A late-season pickup who most likely won't return.

Defensive end Kenyon Coleman. An injury ended his season, but age, and the Cowboys' goals of using younger players at his position are more important than bringing him back.

Guard Derrick Dockery. He was a nice pickup in training camp, but the team will treat him like Coleman: find a younger player for his position.

Safety Eric Frampton. The unrestricted free agent did a nice job last season in spots and could return to add depth to the position.

Cornerback Mike Jenkins. It's doubtful he'll return. He felt disrespected by how the team treated him last season while he recovered from shoulder surgery.

Running back Felix Jones. Cowboys want durable players at this position and Jones hasn't been that.

Punter Brian Moorman. He was on the roster because of the knee injury to Chris Jones. Jones has recovered and Moorman will be elsewhere.

Wide receiver Kevin Ogletree. As the season progressed he lost playing time and might be with another team in 2013.

Safety Charlie Peprah. Cowboys should bring him back to add depth to the position. A physical presence.

Tight end John Phillips. It seems Phillips never took the next step in his development. Time to find another squad.

Linebacker Brady Poppinga. Batman won't be in Dallas/Fort Worth in 2013. He didn't make enough plays.

Linebacker Ernie Sims. Was a nice pickup in 2012, but Cowboys will go younger with the depth chart at linebacker.

Linebacker/Defensive end Anthony Spencer. The Cowboys have until Monday to franchise him and it appears doubtful they'll do it. Odds of him playing for somebody else, look better by the day.

Safety Danny McCray. He's a restricted free agent, so his return to get significant special teams snaps will continue.

Defensive end Brian Schaefering. Might be worth inviting back to training camp and seeing if he can push for a roster spot.

IRVING, Texas – With all the injuries the Cowboys had in 2012 on the defensive side of the ball, it seemed like Rob Ryan had to re-teach his scheme to a new player every week.

The Cowboys lost Sean Lee, Bruce Carter, Kenyon Coleman, Jay Ratliff and Orlando Scandrick, as well as Josh Brent to injured reserve or the non-football injury list, forcing the team to find street free agents like Ernie Sims, Brady Poppinga, Brian Schaefering and Charlie Peprah and poach Sterling Moore off New England’s practice squad.

It was taxing and difficult, considering the supposed complexities of Ryan’s schemes.

Part of the desire to add Monte Kiffin as defensive coordinator and move to the 4-3 was the supposed simplistic nature of the scheme.

“In this day and age in the NFL, with shortened offseasons, shortened training camps, injuries, all those kinds of things, it’s important to try and put offensive and defensive systems in place that allow you to deal with the schedule and absorb the injuries that very well could happen,” head coach Jason Garrett said. “That was one of the philosophical advantages of playing this 4-3 defense. We think it can be a simpler defense for us, for guys to come in here and learn in this day and age, and also if you have the injuries to absorb it allows you to maybe do that a little bit better.”

Ernie Sims

Position: Linebacker

Type: Unrestricted

Summary: When the Cowboys lost Sean Lee for the season to a toe injury, they called on Sims even though he did not have any experience in the 3-4. In 10 games (six starts), he was credited with 42 tackles, a sack, two pressures and three pass deflections. He battled through a concussion that limited him late in the season, but he shored up a spot that was depleted as the season went on.

Why keep him: The move to the 4-3 might actually help Sims' chances to return. While Lee will be the starter at middle linebacker, Sims could be a viable backup option. He does not turn 29 until Dec. 23.

Why let him go: As well as he played with no preparation time, it must be pointed out that he was out of football for a reason last October. He has ability, but he's not part of a future foundation.

Best guess: He will test the market to see if his 10-game audition in 2012 did enough to warrant interest from other teams. Sims could be part of a fall-back plan at a low cost for the Cowboys.

Follow the rest of the series here.

Our five-part series on what went right and what went wrong for the Cowboys concludes with No. 1:

Throughout the season, Jason Garrett kept talking about the “next man up” philosophy used by the Cowboys and every team in the NFL in dealing with injuries.

The Cowboys took that to a ridiculous extent in 2012 with some of the “next men up” coming off the couch, or in Ernie Sims’ case, a tractor, to play important roles.

It started with safety Barry Church tearing his Achilles against Tampa Bay and then moved on to linebacker Sean Lee suffering a significant toe injury against Carolina. Center Phil Costa was lost in that game, as well, to a dislocated ankle. Punter Chris Jones suffered a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament. Defensive end Kenyon Coleman tore a triceps. Linebacker Bruce Carter broke his elbow. Cornerback Orlando Scandrick broke his wrist

Even backups like Ben Bass and Orie Lemon were lost for the season.

This doesn’t even count guys that were hurt but continued to play, such as DeMarcus Ware, Eric Frampton, Gerald Sensabaugh, Nate Livings, Felix Jones and the six games missed by DeMarco Murray. Jay Ratliff played in only six games because of ankle and groin injuries and needed sports hernia surgery in December.

Injuries are a reality in the NFL. Teams have to overcome them. The Cowboys couldn’t, and it was part of the reason – at the least – why Rob Ryan is no longer this team’s defensive coordinator.

The games lost to injury also showed how flawed the roster has been because of poor drafts in 2007-09 that robbed the team of depth.

This is not being written to defend Rob Ryan, who was released as Cowboys defensive coordinator Tuesday evening. But Ryan tried to manage a defense that was missing five starters, including nose tackle Jay Ratliff, a man expected to slow down opponents' running games.

Ryan also lost two backups, Orlando Scandrick to injury and Josh Brent because of his arrest. The players signed to replace the injured might have hurt Ryan more than anything else.

It's hard to get excited when you have Ernie Sims, Charlie Peprah, Michael Coe and Eric Frampton on the field trying to make plays for you with the season on the line.

However, the personnel department did a nice job finding players to fill the defensive side of the roster.

Peprah and Sims were the better of the signings because they were able to pick up a small portion of the defensive scheme and Ryan placed them in position to make plays.

Where Ryan failed in some ways is with what he did or didn't do with his scheme. He didn't blitz enough, and his players didn't create enough turnovers.

You can't blame the personnel department for that. You blame Ryan and the players.

When a team finishes 8-8 and misses the playoffs for the third consecutive season, change needs to happen. Jerry Jones, and maybe even Jason Garrett, wanted to give their defensive players a different voice than Ryan's. In the coming days we'll find out who that will be.

IRVING, Texas – What is Jerry Jones talking about when he mentions doing something “almost unconventional,” in attempting to shake the Cowboys from their 16-year state?

It would be nice to get to talk to the owner and general manager, but he’s not been around Valley Ranch since the season has ended.

So let’s raise some possibilities:

Change the general manager? We know that answer.

Change the head coach? He has backed Jason Garrett all season. And if he is waiting this long to make a move with the coach, then the Cowboys could be last in line when putting together coaching staffs. So, no, Garrett, isn’t the change.

Change the guys who call the offense and defense? Maybe, but I’m wondering if it goes a little deeper than just the play callers, especially on defense. Maybe it’s the scheme.

Could the Cowboys scrap the 3-4 and become a 4-3 team in 2013?

The Cowboys moved to the 3-4 in 2005.

Truth be told the Cowboys played a lot of 4-3 in 2012 because that’s their sub package defense with DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer putting their hands on the ground. They also mixed in more 4-3 base looks when they had five linebackers on the field. The only difference was that Ware and Spencer didn’t line up in a three-point stance.

Would it be a difficult move?

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Maybe not so much, but the return of Spencer should play a part in a switch. It will be difficult for the Cowboys to keep him off the open market with a new deal, and placing the franchise tag on him for the second straight year could be too prohibitive.

The Cowboys would have to upgrade their defensive line. Ware, Jason Hatcher, Tyrone Crawford and Sean Lissemore are the only guarantees. Maybe a move to a 4-3 would benefit Jay Ratliff, but his future is in some question because of the cap.

At linebacker, they would have two of the three with Sean Lee (middle) and Bruce Carter (weak). Maybe they keep Ernie Sims and move Lee to the strong side.

The secondary doesn’t much change with the fronts, but I can’t see the Cowboys becoming a Tampa-2 team with corners like Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne. They are at their best playing press coverage, jamming receivers. Tampa-2 corners play off and soft mostly with their eyes on the quarterback.

Coordinator Rob Ryan has a 3-4 background, but he’s coached enough 4-3 while here.

It would be an unconventional move.

LANDOVER, Md. -- The Cowboys will have 18 free agents, but the biggest decision will be with outside linebacker Anthony Spencer.

The Cowboys could place the franchise tag on him for a second straight year, but that will cost them $10.6 million. Spencer has played so well in 2012 that another team could be willing to overpay him to pry him away from Dallas.

The Cowboys are not in the best of salary-cap positions and will likely have to restructure a number of contracts and cut players just to reach the expected $121 million cap.

Here’s a look at the free agents to be:

IRVING, Texas – DeMarcus Ware will wear a harness for his injured right shoulder in addition to a brace for his hyperextended right elbow when the Cowboys play Washington on Sunday.

Ware is listed as probable for the NFC East championship game but did not practice the entire week.

He is seven players to be listed as probable for the Redskins’ game with linebacker Alex Albright (knee), wide receiver Dez Bryant (finger), linebacker Victor Butler (groin), defensive end Jason Hatcher (thigh), running back Felix Jones (knee) and running back DeMarco Murray (foot).

Linebacker Ernie Sims is questionable because of a concussion but was able to take part in full practices the last three days. He suffered symptoms after a few plays of last week’s game vs. New Orleans a week after he had the concussion against Pittsburgh. He is expected to play.

Nose tackle Jay Ratliff, who is recovering from sports hernia surgery, will miss his third straight game.

IRVING, Texas – DeMarcus Ware did not practice Wednesday because of elbow and shoulder injuries, but the Cowboys outside linebacker reiterated he will play Sunday at Washington in the NFC East title game.

“I’m going regardless,” said Ware, who did go through the walkthrough at Cowboys Stadium.

Ware said he will not wear a harness for his right shoulder, nor will he take a painkilling injection. He is wearing a brace to help his hyperextended right elbow. He missed most of the second half last week against New Orleans but returned for a play in overtime.

Defensive end Jason Hatcher also missed Wednesday’s practice because of a thigh bruise, as did Ware’s backup, Victor Butler, who has a groin injury.

For the first time in three weeks running back DeMarco Murray was able to take part in a Wednesday practice, going through a full session with his sprained foot. Wide receiver Dez Bryant (finger), running back Felix Jones (knee) and linebacker Ernie Sims (concussion) were also full participants.

Linebacker Alex Albright was limited with a knee injury he suffered in the first half of the loss to the Saints.

Linebacker Brady Poppinga and nose tackle Robert Callaway missed practice for non-injury reasons. Nose tackle Jay Ratliff will miss his third straight game following sports hernia surgery.

We have some random thoughts following the Cowboys' 34-31 overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday and heading into the regular-season finale:

1. Last weekend, the Cowboys prevented another NFL team from signing guard Ronald Leary off their practice squad roster. Leary was elevated to the active roster and while he was inactive for the Saints game Sunday this moves tells you plenty about his future. The Cowboys value Leary because of his progression at guard. He came in with concerns about his knee, which doesn't seem to be an issue right now. Offensive line coach Bill Callahan said Leary has gotten better from when he first arrived at Valley Ranch as an undrafted free agent from Memphis. If the Cowboys want to go in another direction at center -- Phil Costa endured health problems in 2012 -- maybe Mackenzy Bernadeau moves from right guard in 2013. Leary could compete for that spot along with Kevin Kowalski. Of course this all changes should the Cowboys draft a center. Given the money spent in free agency on Nate Livings and Bernadeau this past offseason, at least $30 million combined, it's doubtful if the Cowboys want another free-agent guard. Maybe Leary is the answer.

2. DeMarcus Ware most likely will make his seventh consecutive Pro Bowl when the NFC team is announced this week. The 2012 season hasn't been one of Ware's better ones. Hamstring, neck, elbow and shoulder problems have hurt his ability to rush the passer at times. He's still a dangerous man on the field, and he will get doubled from time to time, but opponents are noticing Ware's struggles. He was asked how he felt following Sunday's loss to the Saints and said, "like (expletive)." Ware is tied for seventh in the NFL with 11.5 sacks and combines with Anthony Spencer's 10 to form a solid duo for the Cowboys. But if Ware's health hadn't bothered him this season, the sack and most likely the pressure totals would be higher.

3. What makes the Saints game a difficult one to deal with from a defensive standpoint is the lack of pressures on Drew Brees (two hurries and zero sacks) and the zero turnovers. Out of 13 offensive possessions, the Saints scored six times and missed a 36-yard field goal. So in essence that's seven potential scoring drives the Cowboys defense allowed. Yes, the Cowboys are dealing with injuries on defense but at some point players need to make plays for Rob Ryan. One thing cornerback Mike Jenkins said after the loss was that players, especially the new ones, understand the scheme but are thinking too much and not playing on instinct. It seems the veteran players such as Dan Connor, Ernie Sims, Brady Poppinga and Charlie Peprah know what to do within the scheme, but injuries and Ryan's mixing and matching are messing things up right now. The Cowboys have just one game to solve these problems.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- We're at the break here at Cowboys Stadium and the Cowboys trail the Saints, 17-14.

Here are our first-half adjustments:

1. The Cowboys have two playmakers on offense right now: Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray. Bryant has five catches for 145 yards and two touchdowns in the first half. Bryant has the ability to break tackles, which he did on his 58-yard reception, breaking free from two defenders on the way to the end zone. Murray helps Bryant so much. On Bryant's first touchdown reception, the Cowboys used a play-action pass with Murray and it forced Roman Harper to bite badly to leave Bryant with one-on-one coverage and Tony Romo will take advantage of that every time. In the second half, the Cowboys need to make sure Murray gets more touches along with Bryant. The game isn't out of reach and there's nothing wrong with running the ball in the second half.

2. Tight coverage in the secondary. Drew Brees is getting rid of the ball quickly and the Cowboys are giving his receivers too much room, or respect. We get it, the Saints have the third best offense in the NFL and despite the record and how bad the defense is, you have to respect it. But the Cowboys need to press the receivers at the line of scrimmage to give the pass rush time to reach Brees. Instead, we have Morris Claiborne, Mike Jenkins and Brandon Carr playing too much off coverage.

3. Sack Drew Brees. It's not easy to reach the quarterback when you rush four. And when you lose Ernie Sims (concussion) and Alex Albright (right knee sprain), you can't pick and choose who you want to blitz up the middle because you're limited in who can blitz based on injury. But Anthony Spencer got early pressure on Brees in the first quarter and since has dropped back in coverage at times and was penalized for being offsides. DeMarcus Ware is playing with a bad elbow and shoulder so that's affected his ability to rush the passer. Somehow, the Cowboys defense has to get to Brees.