With one game remaining on the Dallas Cowboys schedule in 2025 and already being eliminated from playoff contention, the focus for many of the front office members right now is how to get the team back on track next season.
For the most part, the Dallas offense should like pretty similar in 2026. With all reports suggesting wide receiver George Pickens will be returning either by an extension or franchise tag, and rumors suggesting Javonte Williams could be re-signed this offseason, the only real question marks come on the offensive line. With most of the focus leaning to the defensive side of the ball, today we will rank out the five positions the Cowboys most improve on over the offseason.
5. Offensive Tackle
There has been a lot of discussion recently about the Cowboys taking another first-round offensive tackle in the 2026 NFL draft. That might not be the best idea, but the Cowboys are in an interesting situation at both offensive tackle spots heading into 2026.
Tyler Guyton was placed on IR last week and some of the reports suggested All-Pro left guard Tyler Smith could be viewed as the long-term option at left tackle moving forward. Guyton showed signs of improvements in 2025, but his inability to stay on the field has reared its head in both of the Cowboys’ 2024 first-round pick seasons in the NFL.
The big one to keep an eye on this offseason is Terence Steele. Steele has disappointed the last few seasons in Dallas after a receiving a rather large contract extension back in 2023. He is under contract for the next three seasons, but has zero guaranteed money left on his deal. The Cowboys could save over $8 million by pre-June releasing or $14 million by post-June releasing Steele this offseason. Whether it’s via the draft or free agency, there’s a very good chance the Cowboys offensive line will have at least one new starter on it in 2026.
4. Safety
It is no secret that the Cowboys safeties had a down year in 2025 under Matt Eberflus. Entering 2026, Donovan Wilson will likely not return as his contract is up at the end of the 2025 season and he only has void years remaining on his deal. Veteran Malik Hooker is set to enter the final year of his deal in 2026. Hooker has been the better of the two safeties this season and has a relatively affordable cap number in 2026 at just $9 million but the Cowboys could move on from Hooker and save $7 million if they chose to do so.
The Cowboys safety room projects to look a lot different in 2026, with Hooker, Markquese Bell, and Alijah Clark the only safeties currently under contract heading into 2026. The 2026 NFL draft sets up nicely at safety with Ohio State’s Caleb Downs, LSU’s A.J. Haulcy, USC’s Kamari Ramsey, and Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman all projected to be drafted in the top 75.
3. Linebacker
To put it nicely, the linebacker play in Dallas this season was dreadful. The Cowboys put a lot of resources into the linebacker room last offseason and pretty much all of them ended poorly. Kenneth Murray is currently graded as the 82nd linebacker out of 86 eligible players, Logan Wilson is currently graded as the 71st linebacker out of 86, and rookie Shemar James is graded as the 77th linebacker out of 86, according to Pro Football Focus (Overshown and Liuafu have not had enough snaps to qualify).
The 2026 NFL draft is pretty loaded at the linebacker position and is near the top of the list of positions that could be addressed with one of the two first-round picks
2. Edge Rusher
Jerry Jones told everyone soon after trading Micah Parsons that the trade was made to improve the defense now and for the future. That could not have been further from the truth. The Cowboys edge rushing group has had a very quiet season. Rookie Donovan Ezeiraku has had a solid rookie season, but his pressure rate and sack numbers leave a lot to be desired. Veteran’s James Houston and Jadeveon Clowney have had solid seasons as players who were signed in training camp and after the season started, but the Cowboys are desperately lacking a consistent presence off the edge.
Whether it’s spending a first-round pick (Arvell Reese, Rueben Bain Jr., David Bailey, Kendrick Faulk, or Cashius Howell), signing an impact free agent (Trey Hendrickson or Khalil Mack) , or possibly making a run at Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby, upgrading the defensive end room is priority 1B for the Cowboys front office this offseason.
1.Cornerback
As stated above, the priority 1B is improving the defensive end room. Priority 1A is improving the cornerback room. The Cowboys pressure percentages have been pretty solid this season, but their inability to cover just about anyone has led to a lot of wasted pressures. DaRon Bland had a season to forget after receiving a large contract extension this offseason and was recently placed on injured reserve and may be getting a second surgery on the same foot he has been dealing with injuries on over the last few seasons. Rookie Shavon Revel has really struggled since returning to the field after spending most of the last year recovering from a torn ACL. Trevon Diggs time in Dallas seems to be all but over, leaving the Cowboys with questions all over the secondary heading into 2026.
With Bland likely coming back from another offseason surgery, and the struggles Revel showed in his rookie season, the Cowboys may be heading into the offseason wondering about the impact of Bland and Revel in 2026. That leaves Will McClay and the Jones’ with a lot of work to do to rebuild their cornerback room in a hurry. Luckily for the Cowboys, the 2026 NFL draft looks to be pretty loaded with cornerback talent in the first round, but having so many major position groups that need complete overhauls, while only having two picks in the top 113 could lead to struggles improving everything the Cowboys need to this offseason.
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