Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images Mazi Smith is the only known entity signed to play DT for the Cowboys in 2025. That’s a problem. While they have plenty of work to do across the roster this offseason, the Dallas Cowboys will need to give defensive tackle a sizeable amount of attention. Arguably their top 2025 free agent comes from the position, and others with expiring contracts would wipe out its depth without good replacements. We’ll talk about the big men in the middle of the defense in this offseason preview. Under Contract Mazi Smith, Justin Rogers, Denzel DaxonEarnest Brown Potential Departures Osa Odighizuwa, Linval Joseph, Carlos Watkins While he’s not as well-known a name around the NFL as the likes of Zack Martin, DeMarcus Lawrence, Eric Kendricks, or even Linval Joseph at his own position, Osa Odighizuwa is Dallas’ premier free agent this year. Unlike the now-retired Martin or those veterans, Odighizuwa is just beginning his NFL prime as his rookie deal expires. With career highs across the board in 2024, and having never missed a game in his four seasons, Odighizuwa approaches free agency with momentum and an assumed strong market for his services. Because he hasn’t yet been recognized as an All-Pro or Pro Bowler, Odighizuwa’s stock isn’t as high as it could be. It’s also why the Cowboys might not want to use the franchise tag, estimated at around $24-$25 million for DTs this year, to keep him. Dallas would likely pursue a long-term deal that allows for much more maneuvering of the salary cap hits, assuming they’re going to try to bring him back at all. Mentioned earlier, Linval Joseph and Carlos Watkins are also free agents this March. They were the core depth behind Odighizuwa and Mazi Smith last year and their departures would only exacerbate DT as an offseason concern. Joseph feels unlikely to return given Mike Zimmer’s exit, who was a key reason he signed last year. Watkins, for whom 2024 was actually his second stop in Dallas, could be back on a minimal deal. Right now, Smith is the only real asset signed up for next season. That’s a loaded statement given his debatable value, having yet to show up as a former first-round pick. This is just his third season, though, so there’s still plenty of room for hope in his development. This will also be his third defensive coordinator and DL coach in as many years, though, so that could stunt growth. The other DTs under contract are all little-known project players. Justin Rogers was a seventh-round pick last year who signed with the Bengals practice squad after Dallas released him in August. The Cowboys poached him last December to get him back in the family. Denzel Daxon spent last year on Dallas’ practice squad as an undrafted rookie. Earnest Brown was a 2021 fifth-round pick who’s bounced around the league and was just added to Dallas’ roster last month. Free Agency If the Cowboys are going to do something big here in free agency, it’s probably re-signing Odighizuwa over signing someone new. He’s generally considered one of the options on the market, with only Philadelphia’s Milton Williams consistently ranked above him. Coincidentally, Williams was taken just two spots ahead of Odighizuwa in the third round of the 2021 draft. Dallas doesn’t want to go into next season with Mazi Smith as the best DT on the roster, so they should be highly motivated to make a big move here. While we’d love to see them go after a top WR, they already have one with CeeDee Lamb. They even have a potential WR2 in Jalen Tolbert. While they’ll be hurting for running backs this offseason, you feel a lot better about plugging a rookie into that spot than at defensive tackle. So that’s why if the Cowboys are going to spend big somewhere, it’s probably here. The one big move aside, Dallas will likely also bring in a couple of veterans for depth and competition. Carlos Watkins could easily be re-signed, but Matt Eberflus’ arrival as DC could also put some new options on the team’s radar. One guy to look out for is Byron Cowart, who started seven games for the Bears last year and could be a solid rotation piece. 2025 NFL Draft If Dallas does hold back in free agency, it may be because there’s a loaded DT group in this year’s draft class. At any point in the first few rounds, the Cowboys should have someone worthy of the pick among the upper-tier prospects. Mason Graham probably isn’t falling to #12, but the next group features multiple options like Derrick Harmon, Kenneth Grant, Walter Nolen, and Tyleik Williams. The Cowboys might trade down to snag one of those guys and some additional draft capital, or wait to see which of them probably falls to the 44th pick. Dallas could easily take two DTs in this draft, one early to replace Odighizuwa and another in the fifth round for depth. We’ll have a better sense of their need after prime free agency. If they only franchise Odighizuwa without designs on a long-term deal, they could still be looking to draft a DT high to either replace him or Mazi Smith in 2026. Final Thoughts Clearly, defensive tackle has to be one of the Cowboys’ top offseason priorities. We’ve seen how all of the flashy sacks and turnovers can be neutered by the inability to hold up in the middle. Even if Smith has a breakout season, you still need someone to play next to him. Either retaining or replacing Odighizuwa is arguably Dallas’ biggest offseason task. In fairness, there are better DTs out there than Odighizuwa. He’s very good on the scale of who’s come through Dallas over the last 20 years, but it’s been a long time since the days of Jay Ratliff or La’Roi Glover. The Cowboys generally don’t like paying market value, let alone overpaying, and they might feel that way quickly

Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images There are a number of free agent offensive linemen who can help the Cowboys. With the projected starting lineup at offensive line of Tyler Guyton at left tackle, Tyler Smith at left guard, Cooper Beebe at center, Brock Hoffman at right guard, and Terence Steele at right tackle, the Cowboys could realistically play a game tomorrow with the current roster layout. But the goal should be to improve that unit, both in run blocking and pass protection. While the Cowboys likely are not going to bench or move on from Guyton after only one year, they will need to add some quality competition to push him in training camp. Same should go for Terence Steele and Brock Hoffman, the projected starting right tackle and right guard. Thankfully, the free agency market is loaded with quality offensive linemen, and they could find viable competition that will not break the bank in the free agency. Let us take a look at some of the most realistic fits. Drew Dalman, OC, Atlanta Falcons Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images As we stated above, the Cowboys currently have a quality starting center in Cooper Beebe. But as we all know, Beebe was new to the center position in 2024 and was primarily a guard at Kansas State. The Cowboys just recently hired Conor Riley to be the team’s offensive line coach under Brian Schottenheimer. Riley spent years at Kansas State as the team’s offensive line coach. Could he push for Beebe to return to guard where he played most of his snaps for him at Kansas State? Moving Beebe back to guard and adding Drew Dalman, who has been a top five center in the NFL over the last two years, would likely be a big improvement to the Cowboys offensive line. Dalman, just 26 years old, is projected to receive a contract in the $11.5m avg/year range according to PFF. While that is more money than the Cowboys normally like to spend in free agency, shoring up the offensive line for the long-term would be well worth the investment for the Cowboys. Kevin Zeitler, OG, Detroit Lions Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images With Zack Martin retiring, the right guard spot is one of the bigger voids the Cowboys could be looking to fill this offseason. Kevin Zeitler would be an excellent short-term answer to the big question mark. Zeitler is nearing the end of his career but is still playing at an extremely high-level in the NFL. At 35-years-old, Zeitler will be likely looking to sign a one-year deal, and Pro Football Focus projects the Detroit Lions right guard to receive a one-year, $6.25M million deal this offseason. Zeitler has been a staple of the Lions’ and Ravens’ success on offense over the last few years and would bring stability and nastiness to the Cowboys offensive line that it has lacked for some time now. Jedrick Wills Jr., OT, Cleveland Browns Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images Here is one of my favorite free agent fits for the Dallas Cowboys this offseason. Jedrick Wills, a former first-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft, is heading into free agency after battling through injuries and not playing his best football over the last few seasons. That is music to the Jones’ ears, as it means they can get a talented player at a reduced cost. Wills, a primary right tackle in college at Alabama, has played primarily left tackle at the NFL level. Wills has experience playing both left and right tackle and could push for a starting spot at either spot this offseason with a good showing in camp. Wills came into the league as one of the best young offensive tackles in the game before battling injuries in his last few seasons. Wills is projected to receive a one-year, $3M deal this offseason, providing the Cowboys with a low-risk, high-reward tackle option behind Tyler Guyton and Terence Steele.

Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images Your Sunday Morning Cowboys news. Cowboys Coach Ready For Jake Ferguson Bounce-Back Season – Adam Schultz, Athlon Sports Jake Ferguson is a wild card in the offense, nobody is sure what he’ll do in 2025, but TE coach Lunda Wells believes. Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson had an up-and-down 2024 season as he looked to continue the giant strides he made in 2023. Coming off a 761-yard, five-touchdown season, the “big biscuit” was expected to further develop into one of the better tight ends in the NFL. But the football gods intervened. Ferguson suffered a knee injury in Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns and missed one week before returning against the Baltimore Ravens to play six games. However, a concussion interrupted his year again, and he never gained traction in a season that was overall poor for the franchise. But now, tight ends coach Lunda Wells is looking forward to Ferguson putting 2024 behind him and getting back on track in 2025 – which starts with getting his body right. “Last year was an unusual year for us as a team in particular, it was unusual for him with the knee injury in the first game, and then when he got it back, then boom, he’s out with a concussion,” Wells said. “So that was a tough year for him, so the biggest thing is just getting back on the horse, taking care of your body, and just putting your best foot forward this coming offseason to prepare you for the season.” Returning Cowboys Coach Teases Big Changes Under New Staff – Richard Louis, Sport DFW Coach Wells hints at changes for this season. The Dallas Cowboys have experienced some turnover this offseason. After deciding not to re-sign Mike McCarthy, Brian Schottenheimer was named the next head coach. The Cowboys have been bringing in new voices for the 2025 season, but one coach who remains on the coaching staff is tight ends coach Lunda Wells. He discussed the changes that will take place on the offensive side of the ball and physicality is at the forefront. Wells said, “There’ll be some similarity but one of the biggest things that we’re really focusing on offensively is being a little bit more physical up front, really on both sides of the ball, as a team being physical. Dominating the line of scrimmage.” Cowboys Want to Be More Physical in 2025 This sentiment is felt throughout the entire organization. New offensive coordinator Klayton Adams said something very similar when speaking to reporters. “The same thing that I want from every player on offense, and that is to create violence in the game, be aggressive, run, and hit. I think every decision that we make schematically needs to lean that direction. “ Klayton Adams 2025 NFL free agent RB best fits: Top landing spots for the best available running backs – Tyler Dragon, USA Today Running back will be an issue until it is not. Javonte Williams (2024 team: Broncos) Best fit:Dallas Cowboys The young running back totaled over 1,000 yards from scrimmage in two of his four seasons in Denver. However, he’s averaged under four yards per carry since a 2022 knee injury. Williams’ modest 513 rushing yards led the Broncos. His opportunities decreased in the latter portion of the season in what ended up being a backfield-by-committee approach in Denver. A change of scenery appears to be what’s best for him. Williams will be 25 years old at the start of next season so he’s among the youngest free-agent backs. Cowboys starting running back Rico Dowdle is a free agent. The Cowboys might select a running back in the 2025 NFL draft as they attempt to upgrade the position, but Williams would give Dallas some reliable insurance in the backfield. This veteran could become the top Cowboys free agency target- Mark Heaney, Inside the Star This free agent re-uniting with Matt Eberflus would make a lot of sense at Dallas’ price. Right now, we don’t know if the team will join the rest of the league and sign some free agents this year, but we can start to build a list of guys that make sense for Dallas to pursue this offseason. At the top of that list may be a recently released Chicago Bear with deep connections to the Cowboys’ new Defensive Coordinator, Matt Eberflus. Let’s take a look at this player, and what it would mean for Dallas to sign him. The Player: DeMarcus Walker, Defensive End On Friday, the Bears announced they were cutting veteran DeMarcus Walker, a starter on the defensive line since they signed him in 2023. Eberflus brought Walker in because he fit the scheme there perfectly, and things worked out pretty well for the former Florida State Seminole. He never missed a game as a member of the Chicago Bears. Walker also exploded statistically. He’s never had two years with more tackles, tackles for loss, or quarterback hits than he had in Chicago. In total, he ended up with 77 tackles, 32 quarterback hits, and nine sacks in 34 games. Needless to say, he fits the Eberflus scheme pretty well, and it might be smart to stay within it as he enters his age-31 season. That is where the Cowboys free agency plans come into the equation. With DeMarcus Lawrence likely to depart, Dallas has a major need on the defensive line, and Walker’s production could be the perfect replacement. He is also getting up there in age, so the money shouldn’t be too lofty. If the Cowboys could get those same statistics this coming season for a one-year deal, it would be a no-brainer for this front office. Cowboys free agency: Stealing a free agent from every NFC East team in 2025-Connor Livesay, Blogging the Boys Subtraction by addition. How the Cowboys can bolster their roster by taking a player away from their NFC East rivals. It was announced on Wednesday that the salary cap would

Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images Imagine if the Cowboys signed a free agent from every NFC East team. There is no better feeling in the NFL than seeing your football team improve, while the others in your division take a step back during the off season. The Cowboys have been on the losing end of that stick for the last few years, but could things finally change in 2025? It was announced on Wednesday that the salary cap would see a large jump in 2025 from where it was in 2024, an increase even more than teams expected this offseason. With the added cap space and some likely big restructures (Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb), and a potential Micah Parsons extension coming, the Dallas Cowboys could have north of $80M to spend this offseason. The NFL today informed teams that the 2025 per-team salary cap will fall in the range of $277.5 million to $281.5 million, way up from last year’s $255.4 million. Cap will have increased by more than $53 million over the last two years. — Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) February 19, 2025 With that money, the Cowboys would have resources to fill roster holes that are littered throughout their team. As of today, the Cowboys need starting caliber players at wide receiver, running back, cornerback, defensive tackle, defensive end, and linebacker and could use upgrades along the offensive line, safety, and tight end positions. Today we will take a look at free agents from the Washington Commanders, Philadelphia Eagles, and New York Giants and see what players they could realistically go after from their division rivals. Washington Commanders Jeremy Chinn, SAF Projected Contract: 3 yrs — $7.5m avg/yr Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images The Cowboys currently have their two starting safeties from the 2024 season returning in 2025, but with some recent slippage in play, safety is a position they could upgrade this offseason. Jeremy Chinn is a versatile safety that can do a lot of the interchanging Matt Eberflus likes in his safeties. Chinn, just 26 years old is young, relatively affordable, and is a quality player against the run and the pass on the backend. The Cowboys could save just over $5M in releasing safety Donovan Wilson and could use the savings to bring in Chinn, who has been a much better players recently. Philadelphia Eagles Milton Williams, iDL Projected Contract: 3 yrs — $21m avg/yr Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images This is where things get a little interesting. The Cowboys have a decision to make on their own player, Osa Odighizuwa, and they may be better off electing to move on from their former third-round selection and going with Milton Williams instead. Pro Football Focus projects Odighizuwa’s contract to be four years, $21.25m avg/year while Milton Williams projected contract is three years, $21m avg/year. Odighizuwa and Williams are very similar players at the 3-technique position with Williams receiving a 70.1 overall grade from PFF and Odighzuwa receiving a 68.1 overall grade. Both Odighzuwa and Williams are very good pass rushers, who can struggle a bit to defend the run, but with Williams being a bit younger, projected to be a bit cheaper, and proving to be a slight upgrade over the last few years, this is the splash the Cowboys could make to give them a slight edge over the reigning Super Bowl champions. Milton Williams went to high school at Crawley High School in Crawley, Texas and has some ties to the area, making his fit in Dallas one a bit more realistic than other destinations around the league. New York Giants Isaiah Simmons, LB Projected Contract: N/A Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images This is the type of player the Cowboys normally like to go after in free agency. The former eighth-overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft has had a disappointing career so far, but this low-risk, high-reward signing makes all the sense in the world for the Cowboys. Simmons will likely not be highly touted this offseason and Dallas has a big need at linebacker with Eric Kendricks a free agent and DeMarvion Overshown likely to miss most if not all of the 2025 season. The Cowboys love signing former first-round picks to one-year deals in free agency and seeing if they can get something out of them. Simmons will likely be cheap and will allow the Cowboys to fill a position of need heading into the draft.

Kara Durrette/Getty Images Cooper Kupp makes a lot of sense for the Cowboys. The Dallas Cowboys have one of the best wide receivers in the NFL when it comes to All-Pro CeeDee Lamb. While that’s a great luxury to have for quarterback Dak Prescott, the Cowboys don’t have much to feel positive about outside of Lamb. Yes, Jalen Tolbert had his best season, but it wasn’t enough to secure a WR2 spot. Jalen Brooks and Ryan Flournoy are still trying to find their way in the NFL, and veteran Brandin Cooks is a free agent. Dallas should certainly look to add some receiver help in April’s NFL draft, and ideally, it will be within the first few rounds. However, earlier this month, veteran Cooper Kupp was informed by the Los Angeles Rams that they would be seeking a trade immediately and will work with him to find his next destination. This is a situation that the Cowboys should get involved in. Kupp fits a lot of what the Cowboys look for when they acquire free agents. He’s an older player at 31 years of age, and Dallas tends to lean towards veterans who have put a few miles on the tires, so to speak. Also, Kupp has missed 18 games over the last three seasons. The Cowboys have a history of bringing guys that fit that mold as well, hoping to get a bargain in free agency or draft/trade at a lower value because of injuries. Another element that should entice the Cowboys to acquire Kupp is new wide receivers coach Junior Adams. He coached Kupp while he was at Eastern Washington and was an intricate part in getting him developed before the draft where he was taken in the third round by the Rams in 2017. This is the first NFL job for Adams, and getting a guy in the building who is familiar with what he does as a coach could make other guys comfortable with his style. Despite missing a full season worth of games over the last three years, Kupp has still been pretty productive. He’s hauled in 201 passes for 2,259 yards and 17 touchdowns over that span. Kupp missed five games twice and eight games in the other season, so he would have likely had three consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns had it not been for injuries. Being that he’s a little long in the tooth, pairing Kupp with a guy like Lamb will allow him to not have to be the top target, which could lead to a plethora of opportunities with the attention that the latter gets. Of course, Kupp’s contract will play a factor in any negotiations. The former Super Bowl MVP has a base salary of $12.5 million in 2025 and $14.85 million in 2026. However, with $7.5 million roster bonus ($5 million guaranteed) next season followed by another $5 million the next year, those totals go up to $20 million and $19.85 million. To add to that, the Cowboys don’t have a fourth-round pick this year, which is the exact position they were in at this time last year. So, that hurts them when it comes to a possible trade as well. They may have to do some finagling, but the Cowboys should certainly take a look at potentially bringing Kupp in. Plus, this move wouldn’t hinder the Cowboys from taking another receiver early in the draft, and they desperately need weapons on the outside.

Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images Here is our scouting report on Walter Nolen from Ole Miss We continue our 2025 NFL Draft preview of draft prospects that could interest the Dallas Cowboys. Today we are looking at defensive tackle Walter Nolen from Ole Miss. Walter Nolen DTOle Miss RebelsJunior5-star recruit 6’3”305 lbs Photo by Andy Altenburger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images History Walter Nolen III was born on the 14th October 2003. Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, he played high school football at several schools, including Olive Branch High School in Mississippi, Saint Benedict at Auburndale in Memphis, and Powell High School in Tennessee, where he had a standout senior year. At Powell, he recorded 93 tackles, 33 tackles for loss, 27 quarterback hurries, and 17 sacks, leading his team to a Class 5A state championship. He was rated as the number two overall football recruit in the 2022 class and was a five-star prospect. Nolen started his college career at Texas A&M, where he played for two seasons, appearing in 22 games and starting 14. During his time there, he tallied 66 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and five sacks. In December 2023, he transferred to Ole Miss, where he became a key player in his junior year of 2024. At Ole Miss, he started all 13 games, leading the team with 14 tackles for loss and ranking third with seven sacks. His performance earned him consensus All-American honors and a spot as a finalist for the Outland Trophy, recognizing him as one of the nation’s top interior linemen. He achieved all this and only turned 21 last October. 2024 Statistics 551 Defensive Snaps48 Total Tackles14 Tackles For Loss30 Total Pressures7 Sacks3 Pass Breakups2 Fumble Recoveries 3 Penalties NFL Combine/Pro Day TBC Awards All-America (2024)First-Team All-SEC (2024) Scorecard Overall- 86.0Speed- 84Acceleration- 88Agility- 78Strength- 92Pass Rush- 90Run Defense- 82Tackling- 90Discipline- 95 THE GOOD Nolen is an elite athlete for his size and position. Has an impressive first-step quickness and burst off the line. His speed and agility allow him to shoot gaps and penetrate the backfield effectively, making him a disruptive presence against both the run and pass. He has heavy hands and a solid initial punch, enabling him to stun and drive back offensive linemen. His ability to handle double teams and maintain leverage is exceptional when he wins early engagements. Very versatile and has proven he can play multiple positions, such as a 3-technique or 4i-technique, and has shown the ability to play on the edge. He demonstrates a relentless motor, chasing plays from the backside and finishing with intensity on every play. TAPE TIME DT Walter NolenOle Miss ✅ THE GOOD✅#scouting #NFLDraft #Rebels pic.twitter.com/TdtcTkbPqC — Mike Poland (@kenfigkowboy) February 19, 2025 THE BAD Nolen can be inconsistent with his pad level, sometimes struggling to keep his pads down. Struggles to anchor or shed blocks. His pass-rushing moves need refinement, as he relies heavily on power and speed but lacks a diverse set of counters. While fine against the run, he can get washed out or struggle to disengage from blocks if he doesn’t win the initial engagement. He needs to improve gap discipline to become a more complete defender. Youth is his biggest weakness. As a young player, he’s still developing consistency and awareness. His tape shows flashes of brilliance but also moments of sloppiness, suggesting he’s not yet a polished prospect. TAPE TIME DT Walter NolenOle Miss ❌THE BAD❌#scouting #NFLDraft #Rebels pic.twitter.com/eh4oGqmq6i — Mike Poland (@kenfigkowboy) February 19, 2025 THE FIT Standing at 6’3” and weighing over 300 lbs, Nolen has the ideal build for an NFL defensive tackle. It’s not hard to envision his 40-yard dash time to come in around 4.90- 4.98 seconds, showcasing his speed and athleticism for his size. His combine testing will be huge to determine his value. Right now, before the combine, Nolen is viewed as a potential mid-to-late first-round pick, with some scouts ranking him as a top-10 talent, which is tough to project at this stage. He’s ideally suited as a one-gap penetrator in an aggressive defensive front, where his explosiveness and power can wreak havoc. With proper coaching, he has Pro Bowl potential and could develop into a dominant NFL interior lineman, drawing comparisons to players like Sheldon Richardson or even Aaron Donald due to his rare athleticism for his size. Nolen is a high-ceiling/low-floor prospect right now with elite physical tools and improving production, but his development will depend on refining his technique and consistency. His issues come down to counter moves, which he shows to have little of, and not being able to anchor efficiently. He could be a good fit for the Dallas Cowboys, especially given their defensive needs, but at pick 12 his selection maybe a tad too rich. Trading down in the first, however, and selecting him mid-round would be a massive win for the franchise in this draft. Nolen’s versatility as a defensive tackle makes him a strong candidate to play as a 3-technique or 4i and utilize his explosive first step and ability to penetrate gaps, something this Cowboys interior defensive line needs at the moment. Nolen’s ability to generate tackles for loss and sacks would address their need for a dominant presence in the middle. His youth and potential also make him a long-term investment to build around alongside established players. He’s has the size and strength to handle the physicality of the NFC East, where teams like the Eagles rely on strong offensive lines and running games. His relentless motor and competitive nature would fit well with the Cowboys’ high-energy defense. Off the field, his background as a highly-touted recruit and his success at both Texas A&M and Ole Miss suggest he’s adaptable and coachable, which is crucial for Dallas’s development-focused approach. He would immediately contribute as a rotational player with starter potential, providing pressure on quarterbacks and helping against the run. Over time, with the right coaching, he could become a cornerstone of their defense. His presence

Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images It has been a very long time since Zack Martin was not a part of the Dallas Cowboys. It was reported on Thursday that longtime Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin is set to retire from the NFL after an incredible career that will land him in the Pro Football Hall of Fame someday. You cannot find a Cowboys fan who does not hold Martin in the highest regard and that is because he is among the greatest players in franchise history. Amazingly, 11 years have passed since the Cowboys famously selected Martin over Johnny Manziel in the middle of the 2014 NFL Draft. It is hard to really contextualize what those days were like to people who did not fully live them as the franchise was in a bit of a treacherous spot. You see, the Cowboys had just come off of their third regular season finale that was a de facto NFC East title game where the winner took the division and the loser missed out on the playoffs. Dallas lost this exact same game for three seasons in a row, amazingly, some would say cruelly, to each one of their three division rivals. You cannot write this stuff. Given the failures, there were enormous questions surrounding head coach Jason Garrett and quarterback Tony Romo. With Manziel available for selection and having a lot of Texas A&M fans who also rooted for the Cowboys wanting to see these worlds collide, that Dallas took Martin was as dramatic of a way in which you could see a franchise select an offensive lineman. Here is what the Cowboys looked like the last time Zack Martin was not on the team That is the context behind the times of when the Cowboys drafted Martin, but what about the specifics of that specific time in question? As noted, that 2013 season finale was the last game that the Cowboys played without Zack Martin as a part of their franchise. Obviously the next one will be the 2025 season opener. Here is what the Cowboys starting lineup looked like on December 29th, 2013 against Philadelphia. OFFENSE QB: Kyle Orton RB: DeMarco Murray WR: Miles Austin WR: Dez Bryant WR Terrance Williams TE: Jason Witten LT: Tyron Smith LG: Ronald Leary C: Travis Frederick RG: Mackenzy Bernadeau RT: Doug Free DEFENSE DE: George Selvie DT: Nick Hayden DT: Jason Hatcher DE: DeMarcus Ware LB: DeVonte Holloman LB: Bruce Carter CB: Brandon Carr CB: Morris Claiborne CB: Orlando Scandrick SS: Jeff Heath FS: Barry Church The defensive names are a much larger blast from the past than the offense, maybe that is because Martin played with so many of them in the years that would immediately follow. It should also be noted that this was the last game that DeMarcus Ware would ever play for the Cowboys as they moved on from him in the offseason where they drafted Martin. These were some dark days for the Cowboys and they were not made better by what Jerry Jones said in the immediate aftermath of the Philly loss. Bob Sturm reminded me that this happened a few months ago, but I had legitimately forgotten myself. Jerry Jones had an all-time Jerry Jones quote following this Eagles loss, one that would have gotten the Stephen Jones “drought” treatment if it happened in today’s day and age. From Tim McMahon at the time: Jones didn’t appear to appreciate being asked if he ever felt embarrassed in the wake of the Cowboys missing the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season and losing a win-or-go-home Week 17 game for the third straight year. “I don’t know,” Jones snapped. “Would you get embarrassed if you were standing in this stadium? Seriously.” After a moment of awkward silence, another reporter attempted to ask a question before being interrupted by Jones. “The answer is no. Not at all.” What does the beautiful $1.2 billion stadium have to do with the mediocre results the Cowboys have been getting on the field? The fact that Jones references the stadium when asked about the football product illustrates one of the major issues of having a marketing man serve as the franchise’s general manager. Jones is without question of the most successful businessman in NFL history. That shouldn’t justify the job he’s done as a general manager. Pretty sobering. And this was over a decade ago! Back to Martin though, that was a very long time ago. Consider that the building that Jerry Jones was bragging about had just wrapped up only its fifth season in hosting the Cowboys and was only a few months into the name AT&T Stadium after it had previously been called Cowboys Stadium. The Seattle Seahawks would go on to win the Super Bowl shortly after. Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray were still on their rookie contracts. Dak Prescott still had two more years in Starkville before being drafted. Current Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer was an offensive coordinator… for the St. Louis Rams. Yes, St. Louis. It has been forever since the Cowboys played a game without Zack Martin and they are going to have to figure out a way to do it later on this fall. Father Time is undefeated.