Previewing multiple ways the Cowboys could go about addressing their biggest needs this offseason.
Just one week into March, the Dallas Cowboys have already had a more productive offseason than they did during the spring of 2024. Dallas signed their biggest impending free agent, Osa Odighizuwa, to a multi-year deal and are rumored to be looking into locking up more of their own players.
While the Cowboys have gotten off to a relatively good start, there is still plenty of work to be done to become a playoff-caliber team. With that in mind, today, we play an offseason version of this or that, picking between two possible paths for Dallas this spring.
Let us know if you agree with our selections in the comments section.
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images
This – Re-sign Jourdan Lewis AND Cooper Rush
or
That – Re-Sign Rico Dowdle AND Chauncey Golston
Our verdict…
Jess Haynie
I’ll take the Lewis/Rush scenario because of all four players listed, Lewis is the best and hardest to replace. We may already have the next Golston in Marshawn Kneeland, and while Dowdle is dear to my heart he’s an average back in a very saturated market. Rush is a nice bonus in the deal because I do think he’s in the upper half of backup QBs. But the big swing factor here is Lewis, who pushes the secondary to another level of security and brings veteran leadership with it.
David Howman
Give me JLew coming back to the team. I really would miss Chauncey and Rico, but this is a deep draft class at both spots. Jourdan Lewis has quietly been one of the most consistent slot corners in the NFL throughout his career and he brings elite leadership to the locker room. Also, Cooper Rush just proved why he’s one of the top backup QBs out there, so bringing him back is a plus
Matt Holleran
As tempting as the package of Dowdle and Golston is, I’m taking Lewis and Rush on this one. Cornerback is sneakily one of the weakest position groups on Dallas’ entire roster, and letting their best cover corner from last year walk in free agency seems like a terrible idea. Lewis means so much to the Cowboys, not just on the field but in the locker room, that you must bring him back. While retaining Cooper Rush isn’t a sexy move, he did prove last season that he’s one of the best backup QBs in the league, making him valuable.
Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
This – Trade a 2025 fifth-round + 2026 fourth-round pick for veteran WR Cooper Kupp
or
That – Select a wide receiver with the 12th overall pick
Our verdict…
Jess Haynie
I’m not giving up two draft assets, especially the fourth, for a guy who hasn’t played more than 12 games since 2021. A healthy Kupp would be a killer complement to Lamb, but I don’t think he can give you that anymore. We were able to get Stephon Gilmore and Brandin Cooks for less in those trades. I’d much rather hope that a Tet McMillan or Luther Burden (assuming that’s who we’d take in the 1st) lives up to the hype and gives you an inexpensive WR2 for the next 4-5 years while you’re paying Lamb’s big contract.
David Howman
I struggled with this one, but ultimately I’ll take the first-round receiver over Kupp. I think that’s where Dallas should go regardless, and either Tetairoa McMillan or Luther Burden would be excellent additions to this offense for the foreseeable future. While I want Kupp, his age and injury history came into play here; in a vacuum I’d be fine with that price tag, but a rookie WR at 12 is going to offer similar production in 2025 with a much higher ceiling.
Matt Holleran
This is a very close call in my mind. In the end, I’d take sending the trade package for Cooper Kupp over selecting a wide receiver with the 12th overall pick. The Cowboys need an instant impact on their offense. As good as the wide receiver options are in the first round of this draft, there’s no guarantee they will be able to come into the league and produce tight away. While Kupp does come with some serious health concerns, if he is on the field he’s going to produce at a high level. I’d rather acquire a veteran wide receiver, like Kupp, who can serve as your number two and then select a high-upside wideout in the third round than pick one with your first-round selection.
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This – Sign a Pro Bowl-caliber offensive player in free agency
or
That – Sign a Pro Bowl-caliber defensive player in free agency
Our verdict…
Jess Haynie
Well, Dallas kind of already did “That” when they re-signed Osa Odighizuwa. He’s a borderline Pro Bowler at DT if you look at numbers compared to those who did get recognized. But that aside, I’d be happy if they made a big move at either WR or O-Line to take more pressure off the draft. Barring a trade down for more picks, it’s going to be hard for Dallas to address all of its needs. I’d hate to see them pass on a superior talent at a position so they can fill a roster need elsewhere, which often leads to reaching.
David Howman
¿Por que no los dos? In an ideal world, the Cowboys do both. After all, they have enough cap space now. But since I have to pick one, give me a Pro Bowl offensive player. This is still an offense first league and the best way to win is to score more points. Plus, Micah Parsons alone is worth three Pro Bowl players in my mind.
Matt Holleran
With the restructures of CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott, the Cowboys have the cap space and flexibility to sign Pro Bowl-caliber players on both sides of the ball. While that is the dream scenario, adding just one seems more realistic. If I had to pick, I’d want to add an offensive player. I believe Dallas’ number one priority this offseason should be getting Dak Prescott back to playing at an MVP-caliber level. Giving him a Pro Bowl-level player on the offensive line or at wide receiver would drastically increase the chances Prescott is back to his vintage self in 2025.
