2026 Cowboys Free Agency Thread…

Genghis Khan said:
I hope that's not what they're doing. I think that's backwards and subtly can affect their draft mentality whether they think so or not.
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I agree although to some extent they may just not like the options right now. After the draft some teams will suddenly have a LBer available for trade because they got one or two in the draft.

I kind of feel like the team right now is taking the perspective of, we don't want to sign a LBer just to say we signed a LBer. Like if we get a guy we want him to be THE GUY.

I disagree with that perspective though. Whoever you bring in at this point is a one year rental anyway. You're not going to be tied to them long term. And I don't want to bring a guy in at the end of preseason and expect him to fill in as the leader of the defense. So the idea that someone will shake lose, well that doesn't usually happen until roster cut downs at the end of preseason. That works out with some positions but with a LBer wearing the green dot potentially? I want them here for all of the offseason and TC.

Basically I think the Cowboys are being a bit too picky. Right now they have no date to prom and are unwilling to consider anyone but the Prom Queen as a date.
 
Cotton said:

Cowboys free-agency breakdown: 5 best moves, biggest remaining questions​

Jalen Thompson #34 of the Arizona Cardinals runs onto the field before the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on October 5, 2025, in Glendale, Arizona.

The Cowboys and safety Jalen Thompson agreed to a three-year deal. Christian Petersen / Getty Images

Jon Machota
By Jon Machota
March 16, 2026 5:02 am CDT

The first week of free agency looked similar to previous years for the Dallas Cowboys. They made some solid moves, but nothing that came close to busting the budget.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told reporters last Thursday that he’s pleased with what Dallas has done so far in free agency.

“I think we’re within the boundaries of what we have available, what we’re trying to accomplish with draft picks and with (salary) cap,” he said. “I wouldn’t try to re-visit or try to re-do what we’ve done on either that cap or the trades we’ve made. I like what we got.”

The Cowboys are far from done with filling roster holes, particularly on defense. Here are five of their best moves and three questions that still need answers.

Best moves​

1. Signing Jalen Thompson​

The veteran safety was added on a three-year deal worth up to $36 million. New defensive coordinator Christian Parker needed versatility on the back end and Thompson brings that with his experience playing multiple positions. Dallas now has a player who can line up at either safety spot or play nickel cornerback. Financially, this was the biggest commitment the Cowboys have made in free agency since signing cornerback Brandon Carr to a five-year, $50 million deal back in 2012.

2. Signing Cobie Durant​

At 5-11, 180 pounds, he doesn’t have great size. But he has shown an ability to be a solid starting cornerback who can take the ball away. He had three interceptions during the season last year for the Los Angeles Rams. He then had three more in the playoffs. He brings experience at a major position of need and comes from playing for one of the NFL’s best teams. A one-year deal worth a max of $5.5 million seems like outstanding value for Durant.
Rashan Gary trade grades: Reverberations of the Micah Parsons trade

3. Trading for Rashan Gary​

This is the most notable move because Gary is the most well-known player Dallas added. The Green Bay Packers were expected to release the 28-year-old edge rusher. The Cowboys ended up trading a fourth-round pick. Gary reworked his contract, lowering his cap hit. He’s currently the most accomplished edge rusher on the roster, and it should be good for him to pair back up with former teammate Kenny Clark.

“He started as a first-round draft pick and he’s played to that level, in my mind, all the way through his career,” Jones said of adding Gary. “He gives us a strong player right there that can give us (pass) rush, give us run-(stopping), give us both. And he fits this scheme.”

4. Signing P.J. Locke​

The safety position hasn’t been a strength for a while in Dallas. Thompson and Locke bring stability. Locke, who was added on a one-year, $4 million deal, also helps on special teams.

5. Bringing back Sam Williams​

It’s a deal that won’t get much attention, but a one-year, $2.5 million contract could end up being a pretty good bargain for a team that desperately needs pass-rush help.

Biggest questions​

1. Inside linebacker​

DeMarvion Overshown, Shemar James and Justin Barron are what they currently have at the position. Another starter and another reserve player with starter upside are needed. The Cowboys had interest in Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker; however, both signed with the Las Vegas Raiders. The goal this time of year is to fill every position so a team isn’t forced to draft any spot next month. At this point, the Cowboys have to use one of their two first-round picks on an inside linebacker. But there is still time left to make a move. A trade for a starting-caliber inside linebacker feels like a good bet.

2. Outside linebacker​

Gary and Donovan Ezeiruaku look to be the Week 1 starters, but this is an area where one of the first-round picks could also be spent. They’ve added depth, but this roster needs more starting-caliber pass rush.
Cowboys mock draft: A good case to trade back in the first round, still beef up defense

3. Osa Odighizuwa trade​

Sending the starting defensive tackle and team captain to San Francisco for a third-round pick was a little bit of a head-scratcher to some. How this trade is judged will depend on what they end up doing to fill out the defensive roster and how they spend the third-round pick. But, currently, it doesn’t seem like a great idea to trade away a top defender from a team that is lacking in top defenders.

“We needed to spread it around a little bit on what we have available to us with (the salary cap),” Jones said last week when asked about the Odighizuwa trade. “More importantly, we can put it in some places that probably get more mileage out of what it’s done. That’s not taking anything away from him individually, but we’ve got two outstanding football players (Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark), we have other backup players, plus we don’t want to rule out drafting a player. So, we thought that was the best move.

“… (Odighizuwa) has such high character. He’s done such an amazing job in his career. You could say, ‘Well, aren’t you going the wrong way when people of his quality, his caliber, aren’t on the team?’ But that’s the reason we were able to get what we thought was a really beneficial result for the team. We got the (third-round pick). (That pick) will be very helpful to us. And (that) also lets us put those resources that we’re going to spend there in some other spots we need help.”

Updated list of Cowboys moves:​

• Placed franchise tag on WR George Pickens

• Re-signed RB Javonte Williams to a three-year deal

• Traded for edge rusher Rashan Gary

• Signed safety Jalen Thompson to a three-year deal

• Signed CB Cobie Durant to a one-year deal

• Signed edge rusher Sam Williams to a one-year deal

• Signed safety P.J. Locke to a one-year deal

• Signed DT Otito Ogbonnia to a one-year deal

• Signed QB Sam Howell to a one-year deal

• Signed edge rusher Tyrus Wheat to a one-year deal

• Signed OL Matt Hennessy to a one-year deal

• Signed TE Princeton Fant to a one-year deal

• Released QB Will Grier

• Traded DT Osa Odighizuwa to the 49ers for a third-round pick

• Traded DT Solomon Thomas to the Titans for a seventh-round pick swap

• Placed second-round tender on K Brandon Aubrey

• Placed second-round tender on G T.J. Bass

Jon Machota
By Jon Machota
Staff Writer, Cowboys
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Most notable omission is the need at CB. Sure we got a slot CB from a team in LA that had no one to replace him by promising to move him outside because we already have a slot CB
 
ravidubey said:
Most notable omission is the need at CB. Sure we got a slot CB from a team in LA that had no one to replace him by promising to move him outside because we already have a slot CB
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I mean he has started the last two years on the outside. I think it's inaccurate to call Durant a slot corner. Now I absolutely think he could be a high end slot corner. He is also more than capable as an outside starting corner.

Ultimately we added 3 DBs. 2 capable of playing the slot. One capable of playing the outside and the third capable of playing oure safety. Gives you a lot of options to mix and match on the back end depending on who we add and how Revel and Bland look.

I think we could just as easily draft a top safety as we could with a corner. Because a top safety would maybe have Thompson sliding into the slot in nickle situations.

We have lots of options but I don't think that means we would pass on a top corner either.
 
We now have two proven starting CB's, two proven and one semi-proven starting safeties, Revel, and JAGs.

That still means we have to draft a starting CB, unless we want to go week 1 starting Bland, Durant and Revel. That's a really hard to trust rn.

There are guys you can draft in rounds 2-4 that will do really well in that rotation. We don't need Avieon Terrell or Mansoor Delane, but I have a feeling Jerry is gunning for one of them, or maybe even McCoy (ugh).
 
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ravidubey said:
That still means we have to draft a starting CB, unless we want to go week 1 starting Bland, Durant and Revel. That's a really hard to trust rn
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Is this ideal? No. But it's not nearly the armageddon you try to make it be, either. It's also not the only CBs we'll be going into the season with, either.

Bland and Durant have skill and have shown they can do it. WITH DECENT COACHING. Revel was a highly regarded rookie that was injured. I don't care that he struggled last year. He played with no offseason program, and NO DECENT COACHING.

One huge difference that you never take into account while bemoaning our defensive woe's... Coaching.
 
ravidubey said:
That still means we have to draft a starting CB
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I mean we don't have to. Would it be nice to? Of course. I'm not taking corner off my list. But I'll give you an example. Let's say that Revel is just warmed over dogshit. So you have Durant and Bland as your starting corners. When you go to nickel defense you could move Thompson from FS to the slot, with Durant and Bland on the outside.

The only way I really get concerned is if Revel is pure dogshit and Bland's foot is just shot. Now if that's the case we are in trouble and still really need a starting corner.

Now the example I gave above still leaves you thin. Because when Thompson moves to the slot in nickel you now have to bring in a new safety. Which means Locke sort of becomes your nickel safety. You also lose some of the unpredictable nature of what we are trying to do. Meaning you know exactly when a guy like Thompson is going to be playing slot corner vs. FS and it allows an offense to try and take advantage of the situation.

This is where drafting someone like Caleb Downs, Thieneman, or whoever comes into play. Because this also becomes less of a concern if you bring in another safety who can be a nickel safety or who can also cover the slot. Now you aren't predictable anymore and you still have the top 3 corner spots covered.

Anyway, I think the majority of your concern is that Revel is just a shit player based on PFF's grade last year. So I'm just showing you how we don't necessarily need another starting corner even if Revel isn't an NFL level player.
 
I still would bet Revel will be at least okay, although I can't say I have any real evidence of that.

I still love Bland and think he's oversold right now, but I do wish we knew more about his foot. That's something only the team knows -- or at least has a lot more evidence right now than we do.
 
We definitely don't have to draft a "starting" CB because Thompson can play in the slot areas to an extent, not to mention Bland as well.

Our top 5 DB's could easily be Bland, Durant, Thompson, Hooker and Locke if Revel doesn't improve.

Bland and Durant on the outside with Thompson roaming in the flats/box area.
 
We need LBers way way more than a CB.
 
Chocolate Lab said:
I still would bet Revel will be at least okay, although I can't say I have any real evidence of that.
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I think he showed some flashes last year. But that's just my personal eye test.

But truth is even drafting the top corner in the draft is no guarantee of a starter. Look at Maurice Claiborne. I don't think Revel is much different that any rookie we draft at corner. I saw Revel as a first round talent. He was hurt. The redshirt was expected. And this is the year where drafting him is supposed to pay off. But just like any rookie, including first round picks, there is no guarantee he will be a good starter.
 
NoDak said:
Is this ideal? No. But it's not nearly the armageddon you try to make it be, either. It's also not the only CBs we'll be going into the season with, either.

Bland and Durant have skill and have shown they can do it. WITH DECENT COACHING. Revel was a highly regarded rookie that was injured. I don't care that he struggled last year. He played with no offseason program, and NO DECENT COACHING.

One huge difference that you never take into account while bemoaning our defensive woe's... Coaching.
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Hey I'm an optimist, truly believe we've improved our defensive coaching staff, truly believe they will improve things, and also believe we've not seen the best from Revel largely for the reasons you pointed out.

But we draft in just over a month, and in those few weeks when the team has to decide whom to draft they can't definitively say they have a sure starter in Revel. No way can they say that. It's an educated guess at best.

My concern is Jerry ignoring the strength that is the depth of this draft and burning capital on one of the 1st round CB's at eith 12 or 20 without trading down.

Before the draft process, hype, and 75 million mocks started, Delane was rated around the 18th-early 20's best prospect. He did nothing to change that, didn't even run at the combine, and suddenly supply and demand has folks mocking him to the Giants at 5.

I don't want us paying the hype tax and over-drafting this kid at 12 when a perfectly fine solution is waiting later in the draft in Malik Muhammad, Keionte Scott, or Chris Johnson. Hell, no CB in the whole draft has more heart than D'Angelo Ponds who just happens to be 5'9."
 
Cowboysrock55 said:
No question. Right now we need 2 middle LBers. One of which needs to be a starter. We are beyond thin at the position.
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In nickel (our real base formation) there is only one ILB on the field, and I imagine we'll see rotations where the lines between ILB and OLB blur. 3-4 true base is only 10, maybe 15% of plays.

So we can work a draft pick into that rotation. I'd love to get Styles, Allen, Hill Jr, or Rodriguez, but there are others as well.

The risk isn't nearly what it would be on the DL (where we are decently covered), at EDGE (we have average coverage), or CB (we have below average coverage).
 
ravidubey said:
Before the draft process, hype, and 75 million mocks started, Delane was rated around the 18th-early 20's best prospect. He did nothing to change that, didn't even run at the combine, and suddenly supply and demand has folks mocking him to the Giants at 5.
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No offense but I think you have this backwards. Like you mentioned, there is no reason to be hyped about Delane. He didn't go out and run a 4.38 forty or do anything since the college football season ended to "improve his stock." What you're really seeing is that the media scouts just don't have a good handle on things, much like every year. They get a better handle on things during the combine when they hear from real NFL people and see what real NFL scouts think of these players. And the more they hear and talk to people the more they realize what range a guy like Delane actually deserves to be in as opposed to where they had them during the season.

I think Delane has always been a top 10-15 pick though. He had a tremendous season. The only real concern is the measurables stuff. And even at that Delane is is sort of the bottom of my favorite defensive picks at 12. The last of the top tier in my book. After that I'd like to trade down.
 
ravidubey said:
In nickel (our real base formation) there is only one ILB on the field
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I have no idea how we will handle nickel this year. But odds are your OLBers will be taking on more of a DE role in nickel. Which means you may still have more 2 real LBers on the field. Think of it like your normal 4-2-5. Or it could be more of a 3-3-5 with one DE being Gary and one OLBer being EZ.
 
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