Defensive line depth is needed.
The Dallas Cowboys’ defensive ends are looking at a significant overhaul in the 2025 offseason. With one mainstay and two other key rotation players heading into free agency, Dallas will need to put in some work to either re-sign or adequately replace them. They also may be working on a new contract for Micah Parsons, which would dramatically impact this year’s salary cap.
Under Contract
Micah Parsons, Marshawn Kneeland, Sam Williams
Luiji Vilain
Potential Departures
DeMarcus Lawrence, Chauncey Golston, Carl Lawson
Tyus Wheat
Lawrence, who became Dallas’ longest-tenured player after Zack Martin’s retirement, may not enjoy that distinction for long. His contract is up and it’s unclear how motivated the Cowboys are to bring him back. Tank turns 33 this April and just missed 13 games with a foot injury. He might have come back for the final month if the Cowboys were still in the playoff hunt, but at least one or both parties chose to play it safe and keep him on injured reserve.
Still, Lawrence was a Pro Bowler in 2022 and 2023 as one of the top run defenders in football. He also had three sacks in the four games he did play last year, which had him on pace for more recognition. As long as he’s fully healed, someone is going to think that Lawrence can be a strong asset for their defensive line.
Chauncey Golston and Carl Lawson are also becoming free agents after playing significant roles last year. Golston started in Lawrence’s absence and Lawson was a key pass-rushing specialist with Sam Williams out. Dallas could be motivated to bring them back, but it depends on how they feel about some existing assets.
Marshawn Kneeland is a big factor in whether Golston or even Lawrence returns. He was drafted to play a similar role as an all-around DE and had some good moments as a rookie. If Dallas believes in him going forward, they may let their veterans walk. We could also see them try to work out a short-term deal with Lawrence, with the idea of Kneeland continuing to develop and then replacing him.
Like Kneeland, Sam Williams is another former second-round pick that the Cowboys need to contribute. He’s only got one more year on his rookie deal, though, and is coming off a major knee injury in last year’s training camp. He should get a chance to compete this summer and perhaps fill Lawson’s space as a situational pass rusher. But Dallas should have a contingency plan ready given Williams’ shaky start.
And then, of course, there’s Micah Parsons. It seems only a matter of time before he gets a market-moving contract as one of the game’s elite defenders. We’ll have plenty of time to nitpick those details when it comes. But for this exercise, it’s comforting to know that he’ll lead Dallas’ pass rush in 2025 and likely several years to come.
Free Agency
The Cowboys could go several ways here. Given the big expenses coming with Micah Parsons, and their general M.O. in free agency, we can expect a certain amount of conservatism. But simply losing Lawrence, Golston, and Lawson would be crippling. They’ll have to do a few things, be it retaining their own free agents or pursuing a few good replacements.
Matt Eberflus will be an important factor. He left Dallas in 2017, so little remains of the players he once worked with. He could have an eye on pulling in someone from a past stop, like the Colts’ Dayo Odeyingbo or the Bears’ Jake Martin or Darrell Taylor. Dallas’ front office has always liked reclamation projects, so maybe they’d try something with former second-overall pick Chase Young.
2025 NFL Draft
This is one of the bigger question mark positions for Dallas in this draft. You could see them going either way, drafting a new sidekick for Parsons or waiting to see what Kneeland and Williams do before spending another high pick. It will all come down to the value presented when the Cowboys are on the clock. If Mykel Williams or Jalon Walker are there at the 12th pick, let alone Abdul Carter, Dallas will have to think long and hard about it.
More than likely, the Cowboys will try to shore up DE through free agency and give themselves one less major need on draft day. There are so many options, either by retaining their own or signing other veterans. It’s one of the easier positions to address before the draft and perhaps even find some bargains.
Final Thoughts
There’s clearly some work to do given the expiring contracts. A short-term deal to bring Lawrence back and then fill out the depth chart with a couple of low-cost veterans or Day 3 picks feels like what the Cowboys might do, but they want to let the market play out a bit first. That fun idea of trading for Myles Garrett was great for discussion but never had much basis in reality. Dallas already has its ace in Parsons and is probably about to make him the highest-paid defender in NFL history. Still, they need to make strong moves to give him a proper supporting cast.
