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Help Wanted - The 2026 Dallas Cowboys Roster
To figure out the draft and free agency, we better get an idea of where things sit right now.
Bob Sturm
Jan 29, 2026
Welcome to the 2026 Dallas Cowboys season. It starts today. Now, actually!
The brass are at the Senior Bowl and while the players are relaxing and recovering, we see that the roster is definitely has work to be done.
Today, we turn the page. We also look at the roster sheet and we remove every single person with an expired contract. The only players you see above are those who are signed to the Cowboys in 2026 – unless a decision is made to send them away.
The first exercise of any offseason is to look at what we currently have. Imagine Christian Parker being hired to be the new defensive coordinator and then instantly you look at the white board in your office and scan to see what is at your disposal. The Cowboys presently do have a roster, but you will see at their own website, those players who are out of contract have been moved to their own bin.
In fact, let’s go through some of these bins.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
Fifteen of them are now down on this list. And if they are down here, then they cannot be on the depth chart above until you do a new deal with them. A few will be back, but let’s be honest – there won’t be a big rush to get in touch with most of these fellows. This is goodbye.
Now, we expect Javonte Williams and George Pickens to be top priorities. We also figure Jadeveon Clowney, Donovan Wilson, and another name or two might be in contact. But, these names are all gone for now.
RESTRICTED AND EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS
Then, these six have to get new deals, but at least five of them are unlikely to have any leverage. The other is Brandon Aubrey. I find his situation interesting and perhaps headache inducing here as he has wanted a fat extension and so far, there is not one to show for it. I feel like Dallas wants him, but there is some disconnect so far.
There are nine or so others on the reserve/futures list. But, that is usually not a serious player to impact the roster substantially.
So, as we start to fill out our shopping list, let’s look today at each positional group and try to figure out what we have to work with and then with a fair amount of contract juggling and smart moves, maybe this roster can be put together thoughtfully between now and training camp.
Here we go.
We will grab each position and take a look at where it stands. We will put our need levels in four bins:
EXTREME - Must address immediately and be the focus of the offseason:
HEAVY - Address if at all possible, otherwise they are lacking depth and/or quality:
MODERATE - Could use some help here in the right situation/price:
NONE - Never turn down upgrades, but what you have should be fine:
QUARTERBACK
Need level: None
Dak Prescott has three years left on his deal and two before you could even consider walking away from it. He will be 33-years-old this summer. Joe Milton has two years left on his deal and is about to turn age 26.
From where I sit, if the Cowboys wanted to bring in another QB to compete for QB2, I am all ears. If they want to use a Day 3 pick to address this, I am supportive of that logic, too. But, there is really no way we should consider QB to be a terribly pressing issue as they are probably expecting no changes here at all. Let’s not belabor this one as it as the mountains will get steeper below.
RUNNING BACK
Need level: Moderate
I think we can easily make the case that RB is the most pressing need on the offense, but with their intent on getting a Javonte Williams deal, the other side of this is simply to find a volume backup who can keep Williams from being overused all year. Blue and Mafah both have promise, but also were barely touched as rookies. I think there are plenty of scenarios where they combine to be the RB2 and RB3 on a week to week basis, but this past season gives us considerable pause. Blue seems to small for 3rd Down usage and Mafah has yet to make any impression at all. I would love to see them try to grab a more all-purpose type, but they do have bodies. Now, if they can’t get Williams done, we upgrade the need considerably.
TIGHT END
Need level: None
Once they did the extension for Ferguson, they were locked in at this spot through the end of 2026. I can see a world where Spann-Ford becomes the new TE2 when Schoonmaker expires, but we are clearly seeing the trend in the NFL of leaning into TE usage, so they will want to make the three work and decide from there when the time comes.
WIDE RECEIVER
Need level: Moderate
They are pretty thin at WR if George Pickens walks. I would expect the franchise tag at a minimum, but with the way that Turpin and Flournoy were used this year, we do feel better about WR3 and WR4. No idea what to do with Mingo – if anything – but with one more year on his rookie deal, it doesn’t hurt to find out. But, yes, it would be good to add to this group and the draft isn’t a bad place to look on Day 3. Assuming Pickens is a must, then the rest is just moderate. If they opt away from George, then it becomes much more severe.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Need Level: Moderate
You could start the season tomorrow with this group and while we all have our issues with the Tyler Guyton pick and development, I would suggest that they are in a better position here than most will admit. I see four capable guards and four capable tackles. I think Nate Thomas, TJ Bass, Brock Hoffman, and potentially Ajani Cornelius as all usable parts. That might mean they have nine actual NFL linemen on the roster and on doable contracts. What we want to know is whether they have five NFL starters and that is the trick.
Also, we need to know the intentions on Terence Steele’s deal. The more I think about it, the more I think I am keeping him at that number. Also, let’s look out for a contract for Bass or Hoffman before they become UFA’s next year. They have both proven their ability and value at the right number. We still need to figure out left tackle, but I don’t hate this group at all – and I would hope not, given how much draft capital they have spent on it.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Need Level: None
I am taking a leap here, but all signs are pointing to an odd-front. Christian Parker was interviewing the Steelers Outside Linebackers coach and that is all I need to know to confirm my thoughts that they plan on an odd-front in some sort of a 3-4. This is what we figured all along with Kenny, Quinnen, and Osa. That is a lot of cash and beef and in a 4-3, they might all be inside players. So, be flexible enough to fit your roster. I have to believe that they feel great about this group.
DEFENSIVE EDGES
Need Level: Extreme
They somehow have almost no edges left. But, that 2nd round pick from 2025 is the centerpiece and we think Houston is at least good depth, but need to see his work in space. Is Clowney a piece here? Maybe Fowler? Who can say, but when I have two picks in the Top 20 and at least 5-6 edges I really like, I expect this will be a focus for the draft picks up top. We shall see, but they aren’t close here right now.
INSIDE LINEBACKERS
Need Level: Heavy
If we are correct and the idea is to play a 3-4 in base, then I am thinking I would love a stud at this position for sure. In a perfect world, Logan Wilson and DeMarvion Overshown are your starters with James and Liufau as backups. But, there is a fair amount of uncertainty with almost everyone of those players and what the new defensive staff suggests is a top priority or not. I like the idea of a fresh start, but without knowing the inner discussions, we are flying blind here. I suppose if they take a run-and-hit LB in Round 1, we will have our questions answered loud and clear, but this one is wild speculation at high levels.
Could you play with this group? Maybe. But, I would be pretty nervous about it.
CORNERBACKS
Need Level: Heavy
This is another spot where one on hand you do have bodies, but you also look at the need for quality and ask serious questions. You also have to feel like they know they need a true CB1 which would instantly make the entire group look so much better. The issue is that they already pay DaRon Bland as if he is on and that is not supported by performances. I imagine Christian Parker’s first priority is to make Shavon Revel into what he can be.
I don’t think any of us should be shocked if Dallas drafts a corner in Round 1 and maybe multiple corners in this draft.
SAFETIES
Need Level: Heavy
Well, if you are familiar with your writer here, you know I dream of the day when the Cowboys invest in the safety position again. It has been a long time and they have really always done very little in upgrades. The last few years of Donovan Wilson and Malik Hooker has been more of the same and while we have no idea if they will change their ways, I am willing to invest plenty if someone like Caleb Downs from Ohio State would show himself available. On the other hand, Parker was at Texas A&M with Wilson, so if the Cowboys decide to attempt to re-sign him, we might suggest that familiarity remains appealing. I would not say it is the most pressing need, but I think a difference maker might really be what this defense needs.
SPECIALISTS
Need Level: None
They should extend Aubrey, everything else is status-quo.
So, to recap our four categories of need, let’s see where everything ended up.
EXTREME - Must address immediately and be the focus of the offseason:
To figure out the draft and free agency, we better get an idea of where things sit right now.
Bob Sturm
Jan 29, 2026
Welcome to the 2026 Dallas Cowboys season. It starts today. Now, actually!
The brass are at the Senior Bowl and while the players are relaxing and recovering, we see that the roster is definitely has work to be done.
Today, we turn the page. We also look at the roster sheet and we remove every single person with an expired contract. The only players you see above are those who are signed to the Cowboys in 2026 – unless a decision is made to send them away.
The first exercise of any offseason is to look at what we currently have. Imagine Christian Parker being hired to be the new defensive coordinator and then instantly you look at the white board in your office and scan to see what is at your disposal. The Cowboys presently do have a roster, but you will see at their own website, those players who are out of contract have been moved to their own bin.
In fact, let’s go through some of these bins.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
Fifteen of them are now down on this list. And if they are down here, then they cannot be on the depth chart above until you do a new deal with them. A few will be back, but let’s be honest – there won’t be a big rush to get in touch with most of these fellows. This is goodbye.
Now, we expect Javonte Williams and George Pickens to be top priorities. We also figure Jadeveon Clowney, Donovan Wilson, and another name or two might be in contact. But, these names are all gone for now.
RESTRICTED AND EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS
Then, these six have to get new deals, but at least five of them are unlikely to have any leverage. The other is Brandon Aubrey. I find his situation interesting and perhaps headache inducing here as he has wanted a fat extension and so far, there is not one to show for it. I feel like Dallas wants him, but there is some disconnect so far.
There are nine or so others on the reserve/futures list. But, that is usually not a serious player to impact the roster substantially.
So, as we start to fill out our shopping list, let’s look today at each positional group and try to figure out what we have to work with and then with a fair amount of contract juggling and smart moves, maybe this roster can be put together thoughtfully between now and training camp.
Here we go.
We will grab each position and take a look at where it stands. We will put our need levels in four bins:
EXTREME - Must address immediately and be the focus of the offseason:
HEAVY - Address if at all possible, otherwise they are lacking depth and/or quality:
MODERATE - Could use some help here in the right situation/price:
NONE - Never turn down upgrades, but what you have should be fine:
QUARTERBACK
Need level: None
Dak Prescott has three years left on his deal and two before you could even consider walking away from it. He will be 33-years-old this summer. Joe Milton has two years left on his deal and is about to turn age 26.
From where I sit, if the Cowboys wanted to bring in another QB to compete for QB2, I am all ears. If they want to use a Day 3 pick to address this, I am supportive of that logic, too. But, there is really no way we should consider QB to be a terribly pressing issue as they are probably expecting no changes here at all. Let’s not belabor this one as it as the mountains will get steeper below.
RUNNING BACK
Need level: Moderate
I think we can easily make the case that RB is the most pressing need on the offense, but with their intent on getting a Javonte Williams deal, the other side of this is simply to find a volume backup who can keep Williams from being overused all year. Blue and Mafah both have promise, but also were barely touched as rookies. I think there are plenty of scenarios where they combine to be the RB2 and RB3 on a week to week basis, but this past season gives us considerable pause. Blue seems to small for 3rd Down usage and Mafah has yet to make any impression at all. I would love to see them try to grab a more all-purpose type, but they do have bodies. Now, if they can’t get Williams done, we upgrade the need considerably.
TIGHT END
Need level: None
Once they did the extension for Ferguson, they were locked in at this spot through the end of 2026. I can see a world where Spann-Ford becomes the new TE2 when Schoonmaker expires, but we are clearly seeing the trend in the NFL of leaning into TE usage, so they will want to make the three work and decide from there when the time comes.
WIDE RECEIVER
Need level: Moderate
They are pretty thin at WR if George Pickens walks. I would expect the franchise tag at a minimum, but with the way that Turpin and Flournoy were used this year, we do feel better about WR3 and WR4. No idea what to do with Mingo – if anything – but with one more year on his rookie deal, it doesn’t hurt to find out. But, yes, it would be good to add to this group and the draft isn’t a bad place to look on Day 3. Assuming Pickens is a must, then the rest is just moderate. If they opt away from George, then it becomes much more severe.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Need Level: Moderate
You could start the season tomorrow with this group and while we all have our issues with the Tyler Guyton pick and development, I would suggest that they are in a better position here than most will admit. I see four capable guards and four capable tackles. I think Nate Thomas, TJ Bass, Brock Hoffman, and potentially Ajani Cornelius as all usable parts. That might mean they have nine actual NFL linemen on the roster and on doable contracts. What we want to know is whether they have five NFL starters and that is the trick.
Also, we need to know the intentions on Terence Steele’s deal. The more I think about it, the more I think I am keeping him at that number. Also, let’s look out for a contract for Bass or Hoffman before they become UFA’s next year. They have both proven their ability and value at the right number. We still need to figure out left tackle, but I don’t hate this group at all – and I would hope not, given how much draft capital they have spent on it.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Need Level: None
I am taking a leap here, but all signs are pointing to an odd-front. Christian Parker was interviewing the Steelers Outside Linebackers coach and that is all I need to know to confirm my thoughts that they plan on an odd-front in some sort of a 3-4. This is what we figured all along with Kenny, Quinnen, and Osa. That is a lot of cash and beef and in a 4-3, they might all be inside players. So, be flexible enough to fit your roster. I have to believe that they feel great about this group.
DEFENSIVE EDGES
Need Level: Extreme
They somehow have almost no edges left. But, that 2nd round pick from 2025 is the centerpiece and we think Houston is at least good depth, but need to see his work in space. Is Clowney a piece here? Maybe Fowler? Who can say, but when I have two picks in the Top 20 and at least 5-6 edges I really like, I expect this will be a focus for the draft picks up top. We shall see, but they aren’t close here right now.
INSIDE LINEBACKERS
Need Level: Heavy
If we are correct and the idea is to play a 3-4 in base, then I am thinking I would love a stud at this position for sure. In a perfect world, Logan Wilson and DeMarvion Overshown are your starters with James and Liufau as backups. But, there is a fair amount of uncertainty with almost everyone of those players and what the new defensive staff suggests is a top priority or not. I like the idea of a fresh start, but without knowing the inner discussions, we are flying blind here. I suppose if they take a run-and-hit LB in Round 1, we will have our questions answered loud and clear, but this one is wild speculation at high levels.
Could you play with this group? Maybe. But, I would be pretty nervous about it.
CORNERBACKS
Need Level: Heavy
This is another spot where one on hand you do have bodies, but you also look at the need for quality and ask serious questions. You also have to feel like they know they need a true CB1 which would instantly make the entire group look so much better. The issue is that they already pay DaRon Bland as if he is on and that is not supported by performances. I imagine Christian Parker’s first priority is to make Shavon Revel into what he can be.
I don’t think any of us should be shocked if Dallas drafts a corner in Round 1 and maybe multiple corners in this draft.
SAFETIES
Need Level: Heavy
Well, if you are familiar with your writer here, you know I dream of the day when the Cowboys invest in the safety position again. It has been a long time and they have really always done very little in upgrades. The last few years of Donovan Wilson and Malik Hooker has been more of the same and while we have no idea if they will change their ways, I am willing to invest plenty if someone like Caleb Downs from Ohio State would show himself available. On the other hand, Parker was at Texas A&M with Wilson, so if the Cowboys decide to attempt to re-sign him, we might suggest that familiarity remains appealing. I would not say it is the most pressing need, but I think a difference maker might really be what this defense needs.
SPECIALISTS
Need Level: None
They should extend Aubrey, everything else is status-quo.
So, to recap our four categories of need, let’s see where everything ended up.
EXTREME - Must address immediately and be the focus of the offseason:
- Defensive Edges
- Linebackers, Cornerbacks, Safeties
- Running Backs, Wide Receivers, Offensive Line
- Quarterbacks, Tight Ends, Defensive Line
yet. Pickens is a must .. if we can lock him up for a few years .. it’s a home run. TE is ok Turd needs to clean it up and I like what we were getting from hyphen boy. O-line is solid for the most part .. just iffy on Steele and by god Guyton sucks .