Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images The Cowboys should consider getting creative with the veteran trade market. The Dallas Cowboys will be under a new direction defensively in 2025 and beyond with Matt Eberflus taking over for Mike Zimmer. There are multiple areas that need to be upgraded for the Cowboys defense to get back to be a respectable unit. One them is linebacker, especially with DeMarvion Overshown suffering a torn ACL and veteran Eric Kendricks headed for free agency. On Wednesday, an interesting development came about. Linebacker Harold Landry, who has played for the Tennessee Titans since 2018 after being drafted in the second round, was granted permission to seek a trade. Per executive vice president Stephen Jones, the Cowboys will be “selectively aggressive” in terms of their approach in free agency. Well, this would be one of the times where Dallas should do just that. Landry would have a solid rookie campaign with 4.5 sacks. His first breakout performance came a season later when he upped his sack total to nine. In 2021, Landry earned his only Pro Bowl nod as he recorded 12. Before the 2022 season, Landry suffered a torn ACL. However, his last two years have been productive as well. After he put up 10.5 sacks in 2023, Landry produced nine more this past season. When breaking it down, Landry doesn’t win as a pass rusher as much as you would like as he posted a pass-rush grade of 49.6 in 2024. Actually, throughout his career, it hasn’t been that great, but it makes the fact that he has 280 pressures and 175 hurries for career pretty impressive. Landry can provide some help against the run also as he’s coming off a season with a career-high 82.2 run defense grade. Of course, especially when it comes to the Cowboys, contracts are a big factor. Landry has two years left on his five-year, $87.5 million extension that he signed in 2022. He has a base salary of $17.5 million and a cap hit of $24.05 million in each of the next two seasons. With all that being said, Landry is only 28 years old (29 in June) and still has plenty of football left in the tank. The only linebacker the Cowboys know that they can rely on going into 2025 is Marist Liufau. Getting a guy like Landry adds depth to the position and a starter for next season, plus it doesn’t hinder the Cowboys from taking another one in the NFL draft. With his pass rush ability, although it could be more consistent, the Cowboys would have more ammunition against the pass along with All-Pro Micah Parsons.

Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images A legend in every walk of his life, Jimmy Johnson is calling it a career as a FOX studio analyst. Jimmy Johnson is retiring from his television career as a studio analyst on FOX NFL Sunday. After nearly 30 years in media and winning numerous Emmys and other awards along with his FOX team, the 81-year-old Johnson says goodbye to yet another job where he left a legendary mark. Johnson has been a mainstay on FOX since 2002, having also worked for them briefly between his departure as coach of the Dallas Cowboys and joining the Miami Dolphins. He was part of the original lineup along with James Brown, Terry Bradshaw, and Howie Long that became the gold standard for NFL studio shows. Brown left FOX in 2005 to join CBS, but the analysts have all remained until today’s news. Jimmy Johnson retires. pic.twitter.com/hWrevBXJEl — David Moore (@DavidMooreDMN) March 3, 2025 Back in 1994, Johnson was one of the hottest names in sports following two straight Super Bowl championships with Dallas. Battle-tested in front of microphones from his time as the ringmaster of Jerry Jones’ circus, Johnson was a natural in TV and became a beloved NFL figure over his long, heralded career on FOX. Cowboys fans have regularly heard his thoughts on the team as FOX often carries Dallas games, many of them their “Game of the Week.” We join all Cowboys Nation in warmly wishing Jimmy a wonderful retirement!

Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images Drafting Ashton Jeanty would (obviously) feel a lot like 2016. The year was 2016. The Dallas Cowboys were coming off a losing season when their quarterback missed extensive time due to injury. They had finished with a 12-win season the year prior before losing to the Green Bay Packers in the playoffs. Their quarterback was entering his 10th season as the team’s full-time starter and recently in the MVP conversation. Their quarterback was also north of 30 years of age and had missed games in three of the previous four years, including being lost for the season twice over the last six years. At running back, the team had just used a low-cost veteran, who despite not being used much early in the year. managed to pick things up as the season went on and churned out 1,000 yards. Before that, they had just let a Pro Bowl running back walk in free agency. That running back in question wasn’t used much early in his career, but finished with two straight 1,000-yard seasons before pricing himself out in Dallas. If this story has a familiar sound, it is because this exact situation is happening again in Dallas. SITUATION THEN NOW Losing season the previous year Yes Yes Lost in the playoffs the year before that to the Packers to the Packers QB entering his 10th year as a full-time starter Tony Romo Dak Prescott QB finished with MVP votes the year before last Tony Romo Dak Prescott Seasons missing extensive time over the last six years 2 (Romo) 2 (Prescott) Seasons missing games over the last four years 3 (Romo) 3 (Prescott) Low cost 1,000-yard rusher Darren McFadden Rico Dowdle Previous Pro Bowl RB DeMarco Murray Tony Pollard Eerily enough, the similarities may not stop there. Back then, the Cowboys made a concerted effort to give Tony Romo some help (or at least they thought it would be Romo they were helping) by using premium draft capital to take college’s top running back, Ezekiel Elliott. The team had previously invested in their offensive line by using first-round draft picks on linemen, and the belief was that fortifying a rushing attack that would command the attention from the defense would take some of the pressure off their quarterback. The Cowboys can do this again by taking college’s star running back Ashton Jeanty with their 12th overall pick. Adding a running back with elite talent would give the team a balanced attack on offense and force opposing defenses to have to stop both Jeanty and CeeDee Lamb similar to how they had to deal with Zeke and Dez Bryant in the past. And to add a cherry on the top of this doggleganger scenario, the Cowboys have also mentioned that they are interested in taking a quarterback in this year’s draft. “You know, I think one of our goals is to get a young quarterback in the draft,” Jones said. “I don’t know where that’s going to be. That was also their thinking in 2016 as they wanted a better backup plan should their injury-prone quarterback go down again. And that is what led them to draft Dak Prescott. It was a good thing they did because Romo wasted no time going down as he was injured in the preseason, calling Prescott to action sooner than expected. We know how that story unfolded, but it would be crazy to think the Cowboys could hit the bullseye again, especially considering that dart would be thrown no sooner than the fifth round. Over the last 10 years, there haven’t been many new late-round Dak stories. Mr. Irrelevant himself, Brock Purdy, stands alone as the only quarterback selected late in the draft who has made any noise. Here are some of the other late round quarterbacks over the last 10 years that have done okay: 2022 – Sam Howell (5th-round) 2019 – Gardner Minshew (6th-round) 2018 – Mike White (5th-round) 2016 – Jeff Driskel (6th-round) Yes, that’s not a long list, nor is it an intimidating one, but that’s the best we got. This speaks to how unlikely it is for the Cowboys to find a viable quarterback late in the draft. If you’re looking for a silver lining, the Cowboys have three fifth-round darts to throw and one of those quarterbacks on the above list, Mike White, was drafted by Dallas. It’s not likely to be déjà vu all over again, but the Cowboys have to think about their quarterback position and take action to preserve his health and have a feasible contingency plan should he go down.

Photo by John Adams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Here is our scouting report on Mykel Williams from Georgia We continue our 2025 NFL Draft preview of draft prospects that could interest the Dallas Cowboys. Today we are looking at defensive end Mykel Williams from Georgia. Mykel Williams DEGeorgia BulldogsJunior5-star recruit 6’5”265 lbs Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images History Mykel Williams was born on June 29, 2004 and grew up in Columbus, Georgia, a city where football holds a deep cultural significance. He attended Hardaway High School, where his talent on the field quickly made him a local star. During his high school career, he showcased exceptional athleticism and strength, earning him a reputation as one of the top recruits in the country. Williams became a five-star prospect as a result of his fine high school performance. He committed to USC initially, but in October he flipped his commitment to stay closer to home and play for the University of Georgia, becoming the highest-rated recruit in their 2022 class. At Georgia, Williams wasted no time making an impact. As a true freshman in 2022, he contributed to the Bulldogs’ national championship win and earned a spot on the SEC All-Freshman team. He had 28 total tackles, five sacks, and seven tackles for loss while playing multiple positions along the defensive front. Georgia head coach Kirby Smart highlighted Williams’ relentless drive and potential to be a dominant force in his first season playing for Georgia. In 2023, Williams continued to solidify his reputation as a key contributor to the Georgia Bulldogs’ defense. Playing primarily as a defensive end, he appeared in all 14 games, recording 18 total tackles, including seven for loss, and adding five sacks. Despite not putting up gaudy stats, his presence helped anchor a stout Georgia defense that finished the season ranked among the nation’s best, going 13-1 and winning the Orange Bowl. Williams’ performance earned him recognition as a rising star, setting the stage for an even bigger role in 2024. In the 2024 season, Williams further established himself as a vital piece of the Georgia Bulldogs’ defense, despite battling a significant ankle injury that impacted his availability and performance. As a junior, he played in 11 games, recording 21 total tackles, including a team-high nine tackles for loss and five sacks. His season was hampered by a Grade 2 left ankle sprain suffered in the opener against Clemson, causing him to miss two games. Despite this, Williams showcased his versatility and resilience, contributing in key moments like the SEC Championship win over Texas, where he logged two tackles for loss and two sacks. 2024 Statistics 402 Defensive Snaps26 Total Pressures5 Sacks21 Total Tackles9 TFL2 Pass Breakups2 Forced Fumbles 2 Penalties NFL Combine/Pro Day TBC Awards Second Team All-SEC (2024)Second Team All-SEC (2023)Freshman All-SEC Team (2022) Scorecard Overall- 87.7Speed- 82Acceleration- 90Agility- 79Strength- 89Pass Rush- 82Run Stop- 89Tackling- 80Discipline- 96 THE GOOD Williams boasts a prototypical frame for an NFL edge rusher—long arms, excellent size, and a powerful lower body. His blend of length, strength, and fluidity makes him a nightmare to block one-on-one. He moves with rare agility and twitch for a 265-pounder. His first step off the line is quick, and he shows surprising bend around the edge. He is a brick wall against the run, using his strength to set the edge and his long arms to keep blockers at bay. He consistently sheds blocks with violent hand usage and pursues with a high motor. Has insane versatility, playing from a 3-technique to a wide-9, and even as a stand-up rusher from the 2-point. He’s comfortable with his hand in the dirt or playing in space, giving him scheme flexibility at the next level. His bull rush is a weapon, as he can collapse the pocket by driving blockers back with sheer power. TAPE TIME DE Mykel Williams Georgia ✅ THE GOOD✅#scouting #NFLDraft #GeorgiaBulldogs pic.twitter.com/1XhqNUqhLs — Mike Poland (@kenfigkowboy) February 27, 2025 THE BAD While athleticism carries him, Williams lacks a refined arsenal of pass rush moves. He leans heavily on power and speed rather than counters or technical finesse. Williams never played a full-time set of reps in a season. This leaves some uncertainty about his stamina and consistency over a full NFL workload. His reaction to the snap can be inconsistent. If he loses the advantage that his athleticism provides his pass rush stalls, especially against quicker tackles. Despite flashes of dominance his sack and TFL totals don’t match his elite traits, partly due to rotation and injury. TAPE TIME DE Mykel Williams Georgia ❌THE BAD❌#scouting #NFLDraft #GeorgiaBulldogs pic.twitter.com/fs2vkv7B84 — Mike Poland (@kenfigkowboy) February 27, 2025 THE FIT Mykel Williams ceiling is that of a Pro Bowl-caliber edge rusher if he refines his pass-rush moves and stays healthy. However, his floor is a rotational piece if technical growth stalls. He has immense potential but needs to refine several areas to maximize his NFL impact. His pass-rush arsenal is underdeveloped, relying too heavily on raw power and speed without consistent counters or a polished plan, which savvier offensive tackles will neutralize. His get-off at the snap can be inconsistent, costing him the edge against quicker opponents when his timing isn’t sharp. Additionally, he’ll need to prove he can handle a full workload after limited snap counts at Georgia. Developing technical finesse and maintaining health will be key to unlocking his elite ceiling. Williams could be an excellent fit for the Dallas Cowboys where he would slot in at the defensive end rotation. His ability to set the edge against the run aligns with Dallas’ need to shore up a run defense that ranked 29th in rush-yards allowed (137 yards per game) in 2024. Williams’ power-based pass rush and untapped athleticism could thrive in Dallas, potentially boosting his sack totals alongside Parsons’ pressure. However, his rawness might require patience, but Dallas’ track record of developing defensive line talent (Parsons, Osa Odighizuwa, Lawrence) suggests they could refine his pass-rush moves. If drafted in

Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Could the former Texas Longhorn WR stay in Texas? With the talks of blockbuster trades, big free agent signings, and the NFL draft right around the corner, the Dallas Cowboys have found themselves in plenty of headlines regarding wide receivers around the league. Sitting at 12th overall, the Cowboys have been rumored to like Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan, Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka, and Missouri WR Luther Burden III. One guy we may need to get on our radar is Texas WR Matthew Golden. Golden had one of the more impressive showings at the NFL Scouting Combine, posting a 4.29 40-yard dash and a 1.49 10-yard split. Golden was as smooth as it comes on film at Texas, but the high-end athleticism was something that was often questioned. After posting such impressive numbers, plenty of teams and scouts will be heading back to the tape to confirm what the testing showed in Indianapolis. I don’t know what Matthew Golden’s draft stock was before coming to Texas but with the season he had and then you go out and run 4.30u…my gawd Golden has earned millions of dollars after transferring to UT#HookEm | #Texas pic.twitter.com/CP1AkjZqwI — Cory Mose (@Cory_Mose) March 1, 2025 At 5-foot-11, 195-lbs, Golden has nice size and proved at Texas to have the versatility to play both inside and outside. Golden would be the fastest receiver the Cowboys have drafted in quite some time and bring much needed speed and explosiveness to the Cowboys offense, which has been lacking for a while now. Along with his speed, Golden is one of the better route-runners in this class, showing a nuanced ability to run every route at all three-levels of the field. Golden currently stands at 28th overall on the NFL Mock Draft Database consensus big board and will likely see a nice jump after impressing at the combine. While Golden was not necessarily in the discussion for the 12th overall pick, we could be hearing that pick up some steam as we move closer to the draft. A potential trade-back could also make a lot of sense for the Cowboys and Matthew Golden pairing that is likely to be talked about much more over the next month and a half.

Ken Blaze-Imagn Images Notable headlines surrounding America’s team. DeMarcus Lawrence should be a priority re-signing for the Dallas Cowboys – Mario Herrera Jr, Inside The Star Get it done, Jerry. DeMarcus Lawrence has been a cornerstone of the Cowboys’ defense since he was drafted with the 34th overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft. Over his career, he has developed into an elite run defender with pass-rushing skills. With 61.5 career sacks (all in Dallas), Lawrence has consistently shown to be a reliable defensive end for the Cowboys. His leadership extends beyond the field. As a veteran, Lawrence plays a key role in mentoring younger players on the defensive line and has been a calming and guiding presence in the locker room. Re-signing Lawrence would ensure that the Cowboys continue to have a strong voice on defense who understands the culture and expectations of the team. Tank of All Trades Lawrence might not have gaudy sack numbers, but he has a level of consistent, tough play on the defensive line, and he has reached 61.5 career sacks in his 11-year career with the Cowboys. In 2024, he had just 3.0 sacks, and hasn’t hit double-digit sack numbers since racking up 10.5 sacks during the 2018 season. However, most of his impact is felt in the run game. We are in an era where rushing the passer is glorified, but rush defense is often overlooked. Lawrence has a well-rounded skillset, and his ability to consistently set the edge has been an invaluable benefit for the Cowboys defense. 2025 NFL Draft: Heisman finalist, top prospect will have Top 30 visit with Cowboys – K.D. Drummond, Cowboys Wire Keep Jeanty on your list of potential selections. Boise State’s running back Ashton Jeanty will be part of the 2025 spring circus. ESPN recently dropped an insider article based on things learned during this week’s scouting combine, and among the talk from Chris Fowler is that Jeanty will have a Top 30 visit with the Cowboys. Star Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty is lining up Top 30 visits, including the Bears and Cowboys. Jeanty did not perform drills at the combine, but he got encouraging results from his medical testing in Indy, I’m told. He had an elbow injury last season that shouldn’t affect him long term. Jeanty is expected, by many draftniks, to be the first running back selected in April’s draft. He’s seen as a similar runner as Marshawn Lynch, an absolute bear for defenders to bring down while also having home run potential. Jeanty was the entirety of Boise State’s offense this past season, finishing second to Colorado’s Travis Hunter in Heisman Trophy voting. Cowboys insider hints Osa Odighizuwa deal may cause breakout star to leave Dallas – Jerry Trotta, The Landry Hat If true, it was a fun run, Rico. Odighizuwa is expected to sign a contract that paints him as one of the best pass-rushing interior defenders in the game. While talks are ongoing, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported the total value of the contract could eclipse $90 million over four years. A third-round pick in 2021, Odighizuwa has missed one game in his career and ranked top five among interior defenders last season in QB hits, pass-rush win rate and pressures. The rumored price is lofty, but that is the going rate for very good players at the position. Odighizuwa’s deal won’t fully handicap the Cowboys financially, but it could force them to make tough calls on other free agents. The latest rumblings out of Indianapolis strongly suggest that may be the case with one of the team’s breakout stars. Cowboys free agent RB Rico Dowdle may leave Dallas after breakout 2024 season “The Cowboys are meeting with the agent of DeMarcus Lawrence on Friday, who also serves as the agent of Lewis and other free agents including running back Rico Dowdle and defensive end Chauncey Golston. With only so much money to go around before the Cowboys will bump up against the $279.2 million salary cap for 2025, it is expected that Dowdle and Golston could land bigger deals elsewhere.” Cowboys beat reporter Nick Harris While that does not confirm Rico Dowdle – or Chauncey Golston – won’t be back, it seems both players will have strong markets once free agency opens. Cowboys have a leg up in Cooper Kupp trade rumors as Jerry Jones plays chess – Kinnu Singh, FanSided Maybe Jerry will make the right move. The Cowboys are expected to be in the market for a No. 2 wide receiver to play alongside CeeDee Lamb. That could make them the ideal landing spot for Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp if his price drops enough, according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano. The Cowboys hired former Oregon co-offensive coordinator Junior Adams as their wide receivers coach in early February, and he could prove to be the determining factor in acquiring Kupp from the Rams. Kupp crossed paths with Adams during his time at Eastern Washington, where Adams was the wide receivers coach. Kupp called Adams “the best there is” and said that no other coach had a greater impact on him, per USA Today. Four years ago, Kupp paced the league in receptions (145), receiving yards (1,947) and receiving touchdowns (16), then capped off the triple-crown campaign with a Super Bowl MVP trophy. In the NFL, four years can seem like a lifetime. Kupp’s past three seasons have been interrupted by injuries, and he’s struggled to return to form. Cowboys 2025 offseason roster preview: Safeties – Jess Haynie, Blogging The Boys Taking stock ahead of free agency. Under Contract Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson Potential Departures Juanyeh Thomas, Markquese Bell Israel Mukuamu While technically not under contract, Juanyeh Thomas is highly unlikely to depart as an exclusive rights free agent. The Cowboys only need to offer him the league minimum to keep his rights for this year, and there’s no reason to think that they won’t. While a relatively minor knee injury

Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images Cooper Kupp would be fun. Dallas Cowboys COO Stephen Jones talked about being “selectively aggressive” with the team’s offseason moves. Adding a No. 2 wide receiver to pair with CeeDee Lamb seems like it’s near the top of their list, and they could be aggressive by going after a player familiar with the Dallas’ new wide receiver’s coach. ESPN says Dallas could be interested in acquiring Cooper Kupp “if the price drops.” The Cowboys will be in the market for a No. 2 receiver behind CeeDee Lamb. They have some hope that Jonathan Mingo, their trade-deadline acquisition from Carolina, can evolve into that, but obviously it’s too soon to know and they will be in the market to add at that position. They could end up being a Cooper Kupp suitor if his price drops far enough. As Graziano points out, the Cowboys still hope Jonathan Mingo develops into a player, considering they traded a fourth-round pick for him at last year’s trade deadline. The Cowboys covet their draft picks more than most teams, so when they use picks as trade chips, they need the player to work out. However, Kupp would be quite the contingency plan. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer hired Junior Adams from Oregon as the team’s new wide receiver’s coach. Not only will Adams be bringing in influence from the college game, but there’s hope that if a trade for Kupp is made, he could be the one that tips the scales as to why it happens. Adams and Kupp worked together when the wide receiver was at Eastern Washington University. Kupp credits Adams as his mentor and has worked out with him in the offseason, even though they are no longer in the same building. Junior Adams was Cooper Kupp’s position coach at Eastern Washington in 2013 when he set freshman records in receiving yards (1,691) & TD receptions (21). Kupp: “I have had a lot of coaches…..None have had a greater impact on me than Coach Adams.” https://t.co/A9cziiiwg0 — Bill Jones (@CBS11BillJones) February 9, 2025 The Cowboys have hoped Jalen Tolbert would elevate his game to a No. 2 wide receiver level. Even though he’s coming off a career season with 610 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, he is also entering the final year of his rookie contract. There’s hope he could continue his development like Mingo, but having Kupp in their back pocket would give Dallas a legit wide out to pair with Lamb while players like Tolbert and Mingo keep working on their game. Kupp would also be a great mentor to both players, as he was with Puka Nacua in Los Angeles. The Cowboys offense needs more weapons if it is to be a force in the first-year of Brian Schottenheimer’s era. Kupp would certainly qualify.

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images The Cowboys begin a process that has needed some urgency The NFL combine took place in Indianapolis this week. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, never one to shy away from an opportunity to speak, actually did so when he didn’t speak to the media on multiple occasions during festivities. However, he has been doing a different kind of talking lately. Per Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News, the Cowboys have begun talks for a contract extension with the agent of All-Pro Micah Parsons. Cowboys have held general conversations with the agent for Micah Parsons, about a contract extension, 2 people with knowledge of the discussions tells @dmn_cowboys — Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) March 2, 2025 Dallas picked up the fifth-year option on Parsons last April. He’s scheduled to make just over $24 million in 2025. Getting this done sooner rather than later is a no-brainer. Every since Parsons stepped foot on an NFL field, he was the best player on the Cowboys and one of the best in the league. He is known for his pass rush, but he does so much more than that. Parsons has a skill set that allows him to play in multiple areas and create opportunities for other guys because he’s such a menace. He’s the ultimate chess piece, and players like him don’t come around very often. The Cowboys were able to get contract extensions for quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb last offseason, with the former coming literally hours before the kickoff of their season opener in 2024. Dallas does not need to wait until the last-minute with Parsons. He has made it known that he wants the Cowboys to be aggressive when it comes to free agency. One way to help that would be get Parsons locked long-term to help create cap space.

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images The Cowboys haven’t used the franchise tag since 2023 with Tony Pollard. The Dallas Cowboys and the franchise tag used to be synonymous. From 2018 to 2023, the team used the tag every year. Last season they did not feel any free agents were worth the guaranteed money. There are questions about whether using the franchise tag is a sound financial practice for NFL teams, but it can ensure a player does not sign with another team and extend contract negotiations. ESPN says Dallas hopes to sign free agent Osa Odighizuwa but could use the franchise tag if they cannot reach an agreement by Tuesday at 4:00 PM ET, the deadline for a team to use the franchise tag on a player. The Cowboys have done enough work on an Osa Odighizuwa extension that I wouldn’t be surprised to see them use the franchise tag on him if a deal isn’t completed by Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline — just to give them more time to complete that deal. They’re also hopeful of bringing back free agent cornerback Jourdan Lewis, and they haven’t totally ruled out a DeMarcus Lawrence return. However, regardless of how that shakes out, Dallas will be looking to get younger up front on defense. The good news is that the deal sounds like it is at the goal line regarding re-signing Odighizuwa as a central part of the Brian Schottenheimer era in Dallas. The bad news is that if the team cannot find common ground with Odighizuwa and his representation, they might be unable to retain their other key free agents if the money is not figured out. David Canter, the agent representing DeMarcus Lawrence, Rico Dowdle, Jourdan Lewis, and Chauncy Golston, met with the Cowboys on Friday at the NFL Combine. No contract offers were reportedly extended to any players, which could signal they are still trying to hammer out the details of Odighizuwa’s contract. Matt Eberflus comes from the Rod Marinelli tree of defensive philosophy, where the 3-technique is a key part of his defense. Odighizuwa, just 27 years old when the season kicks off, is coming off his best season, finishing with 4.5 sacks and 23 quarterback hits. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN also noted that “Odighizuwa and Philadelphia’s Milton Williams are considered the two top interior defensive linemen” in free agency. Having an elite pass-rushing defensive tackle has become critical to the NFL’s ecosystem on defense. If the Cowboys believe Odighizuwa is a key to making their defense work, then no matter if he’s on the tag or they work out a new deal, it will be worth it.

Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images The Cowboys have to examine their safety situation. The Dallas Cowboys may not be seeing much change at safety in 2025. They have two inexpensive starters and at least one core depth player who should be easily re-signed. In an offseason with heavy needs across most of the roster, Dallas may welcome the chance to let things breathe at this one position. But even in the absence of critical need, opportunities to upgrade shouldn’t be ignored. Under Contract Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson Potential Departures Juanyeh Thomas, Markquese BellIsrael Mukuamu While technically not under contract, Juanyeh Thomas is highly unlikely to depart as an exclusive rights free agent. The Cowboys only need to offer him the league minimum to keep his rights for this year, and there’s no reason to think that they won’t. While a relatively minor knee injury ended his season early, Thomas is expected to be all the way back and continue his emergence on defense. In fact, some have even suggested that Dallas should move Thomas into a starting role over Donovan Wilson. They could get back about $5.9 million in cap space off Wilson’s deal which would be useful at other positions, while arguably suffering little-to-no loss in performance with Thomas’ promotion. With Wilson having just turned 30, there is reasonable concern that a player who relies so much on physicality is going to start seeing a rapid downturn in play. But there’s a different logic thread to consider here. Wilson’s total cap hit of $8.65 million is only 12th-highest among all safeties. In fact, the combined $16.4 million that he and Malik Hooker are due to count against Dallas’ 2025 cap is less than the NFL’s top safeties count by themselves. So while there are savings to be had, you could argue that the overhead at the position is still fairly low. And if you can keep Thomas for a minimal amount, that gives you a solid trio at a reasonable cost. Another factor here is Matt Eberflus taking over the defense. If he sticks to his scheme with two-high safeties, Wilson could be in trouble given his underwhelming coverage skills. That shouldn’t affect Hooker, who actually worked with Eberflus from 2018-2020 with the Colts. But between cap savings, age, and a potentially negative effect from scheme changes, Wilson’s future is definitely up in the air. Whatever happens there, Dallas still has to account for impending free agency for Markquese Bell and Israel Mukuamu. Bell saw a huge drop in his playing time from 2023 when he was filling in at linebacker, going from 649 defensive snaps to just 34 last year. While he is just a restricted free agent, the Cowboys probably won’t offer him even the lowest projected tender of about $3 million. If he’s kept at all, he’ll likely have to agree to a league-minimum deal like Thomas. Mukuamu never found traction in Dallas for whatever reason. He provided enough depth at both corner and safety, plus played a lot of special teams, to reach the end of his rookie contract. That’s not bad for just a sixth-round pick, but it’s hard to see where things go from here. He hasn’t done enough to have much of a market in free agency, and the regime change on the Cowboys’ defense means he may not have anyone to advocate for him. While listed at cornerback in our preview series because of where he played last year, Josh Butler is also worth a mention here. Hopefully, he can come back from a pretty gruesome knee injury and help out next season. If so, he’ll be another versatile depth guy for the entire secondary. But with a strong chance that his recovery will extend into the regular season, the Cowboys will need to some other options. Free Agency Unless Eberflus really wants to reconnect with a guy he knows, like the Colts’ Julian Blackmon, you probably won’t see much happening here. Dallas has generally not invested heavily in safeties and, if anything, would divest of Donovan Wilson’s contract before signing an even more lucrative deal with someone else. Outside of either re-signing Bell and/or Mukuamu or replacing them with similar down-roster prospects, it should be quiet on the free agency front. 2025 NFL Draft Things are much more likely to get interesting in the draft. If he isn’t a cap casualty this year, Wilson’s deal is up in 2026 and Hooker’s in 2027. The Cowboys could easily justify getting a young talent in the pipeline to provide immediate depth and eventually replace one of them. As mentioned before, Dallas’ general undervaluing of safeties means we shouldn’t expect one in the first round. In fact, it’s been over 10 years since they spent anything higher than a sixth-round pick on the position (J.J. Wilcox, third round in 2013). Unless Eberflus wants a more dramatic personnel change at the position and sees someone he really loves, and especially if they are going to cut Wilson, a rookie addition probably won’t come until Day 3. Final Thoughts The Cowboys have “gotten what they paid for” at safety for a long time. With minimal draft investment and cheaper contracts over the last several years, Dallas hasn’t really had a star at the position in a long time. While a new defensive coordinator means a different voice in the room, you still have the same front office and an offensive-minded head coach. It’s hard to imagine there will be a philosophical shift. Given what else is on Dallas’ agenda this offseason, that’s not a bad thing. Whether it’s Donovan Wilson or Juanyeh Thomas starting next to Malik Hooker in 2025, that’s good enough if the rest of the defense gets what it needs. That’s not to say the Cowboys should just pass on a top-flight safety prospect if one’s available when they’re on the clock. But given all their other needs, it’s hard to imagine any safety will be alluring enough to distract Dallas