Here are some defensive free agents the Cowboys can consider
While it’s true the Dallas Cowboys need to upgrade the offensive side of the ball a little bit, they also have holes on defense. New defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus definitely has his work cut out for him in 2025. There’s not a position on defense that can really be considered stabilized both from a starting standpoint and depth wise. That could cause them to go heavy on defense in both free agency and the draft.
Thanks to the contract restructures of Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys are currently sitting at $54 million in salary-cap space. With so many holes to fill on the defensive side of the ball and the need to build around Micah Parsons, Dallas would be wise to allocate quite a bit of that money to bring in proven veterans who can immediately upgrade things. Today, we’ll take a look at a few we would like them to target.
LB Dre Greenlaw
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Dre Greenlaw missed nearly all of the 2024 NFL season after working his way back from a Achilles injury he sustained in the Super Bowl. He’ll likely be looking for a short-term deal in 2025 to help boost his market value so that he can cash in on a big-money contract once he proves he’s fully recovered. That could benefit a team like the Cowboys who could be looking for a veteran starter at LB without paying a premium price. Greenlaw fits what Matt Eberflus likes at the position, especially in coverage.
PFF contract projection: 1 yr, $6m avg/yr ($5m guaranteed, $6m total)
DT Levi Onwuzurike
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The Cowboys need a lot of help at defensive tackle, even after re-signing Osa Odighizuwa. Levi Onwuzurike is someone who can do just that. While it’s true he’s struggled with injuries so far in his young career, it’s also true the 27-year-old has the talent to be a difference maker when healthy. The former second-round pick is a disruptive player who can line up as the 1- or 3-technique in Matt Eberflus’ 4-3 defensive scheme. He had a 12.5% pass-rush win rate in 2024, which ranked top-15 at the position last season.
PFF contract projection: 2 yrs, $8.5m avg/yr ($10m guaranteed, $16.5m total)
DE Darrell Taylor
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Right now, the only known and proven commodity at defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys is Micah Parsons. Behind him Marshawn Kneeland has shown flashes of becoming a reliable starter and the same can probably be said about Sam Williams if he can return to form after his season-ending knee injury last year. In Darrell Taylor, Dallas would for bringing in someone who played for Matt Eberflus in Chicago and is familiar with his scheme and could take on that Carl Lawson role as an important depth piece at the position.
PFF contract projection: 2 yrs, $5.25m avg/yr ($6m guaranteed, $10.5m total)
