Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images The Cowboys are going to have to get creative with ways to build their roster. It’s no secret that as good as the Dallas Cowboys defense was under former coordinator Dan Quinn, the defensive tackle position was always an area that they could have been better at, and that continued under Mike Zimmer. The guy that has saved the group has been veteran Osa Odighizuwa who has continued to raise his game every season. While that was good for the Cowboys on the field, it has also made the likelihood of Odighizuwa going elsewhere in free agency even higher, seeing as the team may get priced out. Dallas will look into filling the void in April when the NFL draft comes around. However, they don’t have to wait that long. If the Cowboys want to look at a veteran option when it comes to a trade, DeForest Buckner of the Indianapolis Colts is someone they should take a look at. Buckner is a former first-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers back in 2016. He racked up 28.5 sacks during his four seasons there, which included a Pro Bowl nod in 2018 (logged a career-high 12 sacks) and a second-team All-Pro selection in 2019. Buckner was then traded to the Colts in March of 2020, and he put up 58 tackles and 9.5 sacks, which led to him receiving first-team All-Pro honors. He produced seven sacks the next season before back-to-back years of amassing eight sacks, which also included a career-high 81 tackles in 2023. Last season, Buckner missed five games with a high ankle sprain. Despite this, he was still able to have a productive season with 61 tackles and 6.5 sacks. During his first nine seasons, Buckner has loved 453 pressures. In fact, the 2024 campaign was the first where he didn’t produce at least 48 over the course of an entire season (finished with 35 in 12 games). He also has 269 hurries, and there’s no better way to disrupt a quarterback than to attack him up the middle and force him to move around. This is something the Cowboys have needed on a consistent basis for ages. One key element that should make the Cowboys want to explore the possibility of trading for Buckner is his familiarity with their new defensive coordinator, Matt Eberflus. He coached Buckner for two seasons when he was the defensive coordinator for the Colts, which included his first-team All-Pro campaign in 2020. Eberflus turned the Colts defensive completely around, and Buckner was a huge factor in that, so he already knows what he wants to do and how he wants to attack opposing offenses. Buckner would provide immediate impact for the Cowboys on the interior, which would help free up the nuclear missile that is All-Pro Micah Parsons. He has played in 141 out of a possible 148 games during his career with 136 starts, and there’s no substitute for availability. Buckner has two years left on his deal with a base salary of $13 million in each. That’s less than what the Cowboys would have to pay for a quality free agent. Dallas needs to go against their usual philosophy of sitting back and pick up the phone to see what it would take to get Buckner, and give Eberflus another key defender to build his new defense around.
Is trading CeeDee Lamb financially possible for Cowboys? Recent WR swap history
Is trading CeeDee Lamb financially possible for Cowboys? Recent WR swap history K.D. Drummond Let’s get this out of the way early. No, the Cowboys aren’t looking to and aren’t going to trade CeeDee Lamb. This is an exercise looking at the wide receiver market in a Marvel “What If?”-style look at the football multiverse. If the Cowboys were looking to trade Lamb, what kind of haul could they get for him? Lamb has been tremendous since joining the Cowboys five years ago. He’s made four straight Pro Bowls and three-straight All-Pro teams, two of them First-Team. In 2023 when he had a franchise QB all season, he led the NFL in receptions with 135, and was finished third in Offensive Player of the Year voting. Suffice to say, the wide receiver market would be popping if Lamb were in it. Which again, he isn’t and won’t be. But what kind of compensation could Lamb bring? Looking at recent wide receiver trades, there’s a good sense as to the value that is placed on true No. 1 wideouts. Recent WR Value in Trades The first trade to look at already involves the Cowboys, who acquired Amari Cooper from the Raiders in a straight swap for Dallas’ 2019 first-round pick. As this was an in-season trade, there was no confirmed pick, but it ended up being the No. 19 overall selection. Cooper had a strong start to his career, but his numbers do not compare to Lamb’s production. During that offseason, the New York Giants traded star WR Odell Beckham to the Cleveland Browns. There were three starters thrown in as well, but the total compensation (No. 17 + No. 95) basically worked out to the No. 13 pick in the draft based on trade value chart points. Beckham, based on playing just 16 games over the prior two seasons, was no longer considered at the level Lamb currently exists. The following year saw the infamous Vikings-Bills trade that sent Stefon Diggs to New York State and saw Minnesota land Justin Jefferson. The actual trade was for four picks, which equated to be around the No. 19 pick in total value. At the time of the trade, Diggs had never made a Pro Bowl or All-Pro team. Another exchange for a player slightly under Lamb’s level. 2022 saw a ton of WR movement. Tyreek Hill was sent from Kansas City to Miami for picks No. 29, 50 and 121, along with fourth and sixth rounders in the next year’s haul. All together, the compensation was worth around No. 12 in the first round. Hill is a great comparison to Lamb, as he was six-for-six in Pro Bowl appearances and three-time First-Team All-Pro. He’s the ceiling. Davante Adams was traded that year as well, for the No. 22 and No. 53 picks, which equate to the the value of No. 13 overall. Adams was substantially older than Lamb, but had made five straight Pro Bowls and was named to two consecutive All-Pro First-Teams. The third trade that year was the Philadelphia Eagles acquiring AJ Brown from Tennessee for the No. 18 and No. 101 picks. That equals around the No 16 pick. At the time of the trade, Brown’s career high in catches was 70 and yards in a season was just 1,075. WR Salary Impact on Trades Adams and Hill were rewarded with top-of-the-market extensions when they landed with their new teams, as did Brown. Diggs had to wait two seasons for a new deal once in Buffalo. Beckham was just one year into his deal when he was traded, so he played that out with Cleveland. The Cowboys had 2.5 years of control over Cooper before he was able to land a new contract. Lamb’s contract is currently top of the market and only one year in, so his scenario would likely mirror Beckham’s where he’d play it out in his fictional new city. Without having to pay the signing bonus, his acquiring team would sort of be be getting a discount, along with the fact that 2025 is the last of Lamb’s guaranteed money. His contract wouldn’t negatively impact any trade value. Lamb’s Trade Value All of the trades above landed the trading team pick values between the No. 12 and No. 19 selections. The two closest comps as far as league accomplishments, Adams and Hill, both landed at the top of that scale. If the Cowboys were interested in trading CeeDee Lamb, they’d likely be able to land compensation in the range of the No. 12 overall pick; which just so happens to be where Dallas is picking this year. Impact of trading Lamb on Cowboys cap Surprisingly, the Cowboys could theoretically absorb trading Lamb away and coming out in a better cap scenario. Lamb’s deal included base salary guarantees for 2024 and 2025, but as a trade his 2025 salary wouldn’t leave any dead money as the acquiring team would pay his base salary plus game-day bonuses (total $27.85 million). Lamb’s original signing bonus was $38 million, of which $7.6 million was on last year’s cap and another $7.6 million already accounted for in this year’s cap. That means that the remaining $22.8 million would accelerate onto this year’s cap, which is less than his base salary. Dallas would be without the weapon, but there would be cap savings in addition to the trade compensation. Altogether though, if the Cowboys traded him this offseason, Dallas would have paid $40 million to Lamb for his 2024 season, which clearly is not ideal.
What Brian Schottenheimer brings to the table that the last two Cowboys head coaches did not
Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images Briain Schottenheimer has something about him that Mike McCarthy and Jason Garrett did not. After a disappointing year, the Dallas Cowboys hope to right some wrongs this offseason. Changes are upon us including hiring a new coaching staff, free agent acquisitions, and selecting new prospects at the NFL draft. The first part is completed with the hiring of Brian Schottenheimer and his entire coaching staff. It’s unclear what type of effect this changing of the guard will have, but it will at least look different from the last two fellas who held down the head coaching job. What should we expect with Big Schott Brian that we didn’t see with Redball or Magic Mike? Let’s take a look. JASON GARRETT – TRUST THE PROCESS Jason Garrett brought a great culture to Dallas. He was adamant about building the team the right way, including a collection of players who were the “right kind of guys” who could maximize their potential by approaching their jobs. Garrett instilled in his players that it was an honor to play for the Cowboys and expected them to take that responsibility seriously. That’s why players like Terrell Owens and eventually, Dez Bryant, wore out their welcome under Garrett’s watch. As successful as he was during his time with the Cowboys, his process was flawed. Far too often things had to work perfectly for the team to win. He had this unwavering faith that everyone could do their job, however, when certain elements didn’t work, the process broke down. Most of the time, it worked, but his teams struggled to make a deep run in the playoffs. When coaching, scheme, and the little intricacies of executing plays mattered the most, the Cowboys always fell short. MIKE MCCARTHY – TRUST THE QUARTERBACK It’s no secret that Mike McCarthy puts a lot of faith in his quarterbacks. Years of coaching Aaron Rodgers will do that. During his time in Green Bay, there were many instances where the Packers lived and died by the arm of Rodgers. Fortunately for them, Rodgers was a Hall of Fame quarterback and pulled off some crazy stuff, but rarely did you see a Packers team take on an identity that wasn’t centered around their quarterback. Oddly enough, both the McCarthy and Rodgers era in the NFL appears to have ended and people will always be left wondering why they didn’t have more success together. It didn’t take long for McCarthy to put that same trust in Dak Prescott. In his first full season under McCarthy, Prescott set a franchise record with 37 touchdown passes. That year the offense also had Amari Cooper at wide receiver and Kellen Moore calling the plays. Eventually, those pieces were removed and things got a little more difficult. Prescott led the league in interceptions the following season when his receivers struggled to separate and he forced too many tight window throws. And in the absence of a rushing attack this past season, never was McCarthy bothered because somehow it was expected that Prescott would make it all work. The Dakarthy experience was an up-and-down ride with good things and bad things. Between the extra responsibility of calling out the protection pre-snap, playing behind the chains, and executing perfectly timed throws in tight seams, a lot was always expected from Prescott. BRIAN SCHOTTENHEIMER – KNOW THE PROCESS Weirdly, the Cowboys reset their coaching staff without it being a huge shake-up. The decision to promote Brian Schottenheimer was about as low-key as you could get. The front office was familiar with the type of person he was and didn’t feel compelled to make a drastic change. Even their likely next favorite choice, Kellen Moore, was a familiar face. For the Cowboys, they felt content with what they were doing and only desired small tweaks. With Schottenheimer, the Cowboys are looking for clarity. They want everyone on the same page with an understanding of what is expected. The buzz from Schottenheimer’s coaching staff is that his vision is clear. The former consultant/offensive coordinator is an over-communicator. What that translates to on the field remains to be seen, but there should be no mystery about their objectives. Schottenheimer will beat his message into the ground and at the very least we should see a more disciplined and unified team.
Cowboys 2025 offseason roster preview: Defensive tackles
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
Cowboys’ Schottenheimer stands alone at 2025 scouting combine in more ways than one
Cowboys’ Schottenheimer stands alone at 2025 scouting combine in more ways than one K.D. Drummond With the onset of the NFL scouting combine, the unofficial start of the league year has descended upon the people. Front offices and player agents will accidentally bump into each other during the weeklong event in Indianapolis and do their best not to discuss the myriad of free agents who may be looking for new teams. Of course, all of this will be done under the veil of conversations about players who are currently under contract, but those in the know, know. Free agency has now started and all of those deals which are announced as soon as the starting gun on the new league year fires are forged during the scouting combine. Read: 2025 NFL Scouting Combine dates, times, location, how to watch One thing that is above the board is the chance for front office executives and coaches to speak to the media, with all 32 teams getting a podium for a media scrum. This will be the first time new Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer is going to be inundated with national reporters, after moving up from offensive coordinator to replace Mike McCarthy. Schottenheimer will meet with the media on Thursday, 2/27 at 3:30 pm; the only team representive scheduled for that day as all other teams will go on Tuesday and Wednesday. Unlike other teams, though, the Cowboys front office will not have a coordinated appearance for a media scrum. Dallas is one of just three organizations without a GM date/time of availability. Rest assured, though, fans will hear from owner/GM Jerry Jones. Most years, Jones holds court for the media aboard his mammoth traveling circus of a bus that wheels into Indy every year. Expect the same in 2025.
The Cowboys could find quality OL depth in NFL free agency
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.
Cowboys news: A Jake Ferguson rebound season would be huge for Dallas
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
Cowboys Headlines: Bell eyes big return, Parsons contract talks yet to start, trading for Cheetah?
Dallas Cowboys’ Markquese Bell no stranger to adversity as he endures another life road bump :: Fort Worth Star-Telegram Link Bell called the shoulder injury that ended his 2024 season after just nine games the worst he’s ever had in football, but he won’t be discouraged by the setback. “Who’s to say I don’t come back stronger next year?” he said. “Don’t ask why it’s happening to you, just deal with it. Look at the bright side, some people don’t get to wake up the next day. The things that you take for granted, a lot of people would kill for. Adversity is just another blessing.” A restricted free agent this offseason, Bell could find himself with a new contract to show for how much promise he’s shown to this point. Micah Parsons wants new deal early this offseason, but talks with Cowboys haven’t started :: Dallas Morning News Link Despite Parsons publicly asking that his contract talks get underway as soon as possible, apparently nothing has happened yet between his representatives and the Cowboys. Negotiations often begin between management and agents at the NFL scouting combine, which starts Monday in Indianapolis. This will be the second consecutive year in which Dallas most likely signs a player to one of the largest contracts in the league. Parsons’ podcast again draws the ire of Cowboys rage-baiters :: Cowboys Wire Link Parsons again caught some flak over his side gig, most recently from the likes of Lawrence Taylor and DeMarcus Ware. Parsons wondered out loud if that’s because his podcast is just that good… or maybe just that bad. What’s not really up for debate is whether or not Parsons is contributing on the field at a high level. So why does everyone seem to care so much how he stays busy off the field? Micah Parsons, Tyreek Hill, DK Metcalf among NFL stars who SHOULD be traded this offseason :: NFL.com Link On the one hand, it seems crazy. But that’s precisely why Jerry Jones might actually consider it. Look at what Khalil Mack got the Raiders in 2018 when he was traded (two firsts, a third, and a sixth as part of a larger package). Parsons would net even more. Now imagine how the Cowboys could use that kind of capital to build around Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. It worked with Herschel Walker once upon a time to launch the dynasty, and the Super Bowl run hit a new gear when Dallas traded for Charles Haley, so don’t rule it out now just because it seems improbable. Impact: Where the Cowboys can go at right guard with Zack Martin’s expected retirement :: The Mothership Link Brock Hoffman is the leading candidate to take Martin’s spot on the O-line, but T. J. Bass is no slouch when called upon. Draft prospects at the positions should include Alabama’s Tyler Booker, Ohio State’s Donovan Jackson, and Georgia’s Tate Ratledge. One offbeat possibility to keep in mind: center Cooper Beebe has proven his versatility at learning a new position and was a guard in college. Former Saints 1st-round pick, $54 million-DT late addition to potential Cowboys free agency target list :: Cowboys Wire Link Of the five DTs who made the 2024 opening roster, only Mazi Smith is currently on the team’s payroll. Outside help will be a must. Cincinnati’s release of 30-year-old Sheldon Rankins should be of interest to the Cowboys; he earned a career-best PFF pass-rush grade of 74.7 in 2023, his last full season, with Houston. Cowboys legend suggests Dallas trades for superstar WR to help CeeDee Lamb :: SI.com Link Emmitt Smith would like to see the Cowboys add a downfield threat that allows CeeDee Lamb to stay closer to the line of scrimmage on underneath routes. “Maybe we need to go after Tyreek Hill,” Smith offered. “And develop a stronger tight end situation. I think the one we got right now is pretty good.” Hill was vocal about his unhappiness in Miami toward the end of the 2024 season, but trading for him would cost a pretty penny. Pick of the Litter: Cowboys options to draft RB could lead to Day 2 selection :: Cowboys Wire Link There are plenty of quality options at running back even after Ashton Jeanty. Kaleb Johnson (Iowa), Omarion Hampton (North Carolina), and TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State) will all come off the board early in the draft. But it’s not at all unthinkable that Dallas could use the 12th pick on another position and still come away with one of these ballcarriers at 44. Dallas Cowboys linked to South Carolina star defender :: The Sporting News Link Beefing up the interior of the defensive line could well be in the Cowboys’ plans for the second or third round of the draft. One prospect to look at is South Carolina D-tackle T.J. Sanders. Physically, he’s built like Osa Odighizuwa and has shown himself more than capable of bringing pressure up the middle. He recorded 51 tackles, four sacks, and a defended pass for the Gamecocks in 2024 alone. Which NFL Draft 2025 prospects will show off at the combine? Revisiting Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List :: The Athletic Link Making this list has become a real feather in the cap of many recent draft prospects. (Mazi Smith made the list in 2023.) Among this year’s Freaks who the Cowboys are already being linked to in various mocks are Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter, TCU wide receiver Savion Williams, Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan, Michigan CB Will Johnson, Texas A&M defensive tackle Nic Scourton, and Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty. Major Takeaways: New Cowboys coaches offer impressive insights, philosophies for ’25 :: Cowboys Wire Link Cowboys fans have plenty to be optimistic about, at least when it comes to their coaching staff saying all the right things. OC Klayton Adams made it clear he wants violence and aggression from his offensive linemen, and DC Matt Eberflus preached taking the ball away and stopping the run.
Cowboys free agency: Stealing a free agent from every NFC East team in 2025
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.
Cowboys should look into trading for WR Cooper Kupp
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.
