There’s been a lot of player movement on the Dallas Cowboys roster over the last few weeks, from franchised and re-signed stars to new arrivals, free agent departures, and even some traded away. After all of this activity, what are Dallas’ biggest and least concerns with more free agency opportunities out there and the 2026 NFL Draft still to come? It’s ranking time, from smallest need to biggest need!
Quarterback
With the signing of fourth-year veteran Sam Howell, Dallas made things more competitive for Joe
Milton III and upgraded the room from Will Grier. Howell started all 17 games for the Commanders in 2023, so at least brings a wealth of experience compared to Milton. We might see one more QB added as a very late-round pick or undrafted guy, but the group has what it needs going forward.
Guard/Center
The starters were never in doubt and the depth was maintained by keeping T.J. Bass and adding C Matt Hennessy, who is likely here to replace Brock Hoffman. Throw in Trevor Keegan, who was on last year’s opening roster before injury, and they probably aren’t looking at any more major investments on the interior.
Safety
Former Cardinal Jalen Thompson walks in as a new starter. They also added P.J. Locke, a rotational safety from Denver who worked with Christian Parker from 2021-2023. With Malik Hooker, Markquese Bell, and Alijah Clark still around, this is another position that feels fairly complete. It’s not immune from upgrade opportunities in the draft, but the free agent activity is likely closed.
Tight End
Another position that seems full but could also use upgrades, tight end changes are more like luxuries than necessities at this point. Jake Ferguson is still just 27, so hopefully still has some prime years left. Brevyn Spann-Ford came on as TE2 at the end of the last year, making Luke Schoomaker an overdrafted but still capable third option. They’ve even just re-signed Princeton Fant, who knows the system and has bounced between the roster and practice squad. The Cowboys won’t ignore an opportunity in the draft, but they can still run it back with this group and focus on bigger concerns.
Running Back
If you think Dallas is done at RB, you’re putting a lot of faith in Malik Davis or Jaydon Blue to be one injury away from a starting role. If something happens to Javonte Williams, Dallas is forced into more role-specific RB usage and telegraphing their plays without a truly versatile RB2. They could do better there and put Davis, Blue, and Phil Mafah in competition for the third spot. Again, it’s not crucial, but it would create much more security going forward.
Defensive Line
The trades of Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas were very surprising. Even the release of Perrion Winfrey was a bit of a head-scratcher. But it’s becoming clear that Parker likes his 3-4 linemen to be on the bigger side, so these guys were cleared out to make room for better scheme fits. One of them was free agent Otito Ogbonnia, who comes over from the Chargers to play the nose between Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark. But with only Jay Toia behind them, more depth is now critical. Ogbonnia may have some position flex between nose and DE, but they’ll need at least one more true 3-4 DE who can spell Williams or Clark.
Wide Receiver
We’re all thrilled that George Pickens should be back and most seem content with Ryan Flournoy as WR3. But what about the depth? Jalen Tolbert is no big loss, but he was still more inspiring than Jonathan Mingo. A battle between Mingo, KaVontae Turpin, Parris Campbell, and Traeshon Holden for depth spots feels like it’s short at least one more talent. If anything, you’d rather have a guy who’s pushing Flournoy for the third spot. And if Pickens does end up staying on the franchise tag, then it comes even more important to have someone significant in the stable.
Cornerback
While the Cobie Durant signing is a big help to the group, it’s still potentially thin. We’re counting on DaRon Bland to stay healthy, Shavon Revel and Caelen Carson to develop, and for guys like Reddy Steward and Josh Butler to provide depth. Now, all of these things are possible, and especially if Christian Parker is as good as advertised. But that does require so many things to go right, and that’s hard to accept after a year when just about everything that could go wrong did on defense. It’s understandable if the Cowboys decide to make one more big CB addition, as not doing so is a big leap of faith.
Offensive Tackle
An even bigger leap would be leaving Tyler Guyton, Terence Steele, and Nathan Thomas as your top three offensive tackles. Dallas has committed to Steele for at least one more year with a renegotiated contract, so he should be back at his usual spot. But with Tyler Guyton missing seven games last year, and still having question marks about his play, they have to be better prepared for disaster. Thomas is an okay depth guy with position flex, but a superior swing tackle who can legitimately start on the left side is needed. The Cowboys are still going to lean heavily on their offense in 2026, so they can’t afford to let one position sabotage things.
Edge Rusher
Did we miss out on Maxx Crosby or dodge a bullet? Time will tell, but it has left Dallas with an unsatisfied need for a premier pass rusher. Rashan Gary should be a solid wingman as the other starter, and bringing Sam Williams for depth and special teams was fine. But they can’t count on Donovan Ezeiruaku to suddenly explode in his second year, so we’re back to the drawing board for truly fixing this pass rush. Unfortunately, that guy isn’t out there in free agency at this point, and even a first-round rookie may not make such an immediate impact.
Inside Linebacker
This was clearly Dallas’ biggest need going into the offseason and somehow remains untouched. DeMarvion Overshown, Shemar James, and Justin Barron are still your only three guys. They might consider using Markquese Bell at LB some again, or maybe they flip flop on Marist Liufau’s reported move to OLB. But even those moves don’t get you close to where you want to be.
Reports are that Dallas was in on Nakobe Dean but he chose the Raiders’ offer instead, and some other veterans have also been linked to Dallas before signing elsewhere. It’s hard to say where the help will come from now, though remaining free agents like Bobby Okereke and Bobby Wagner are quickly becoming the best options. If Dallas wants premier rookie talent Sonny Styles, it could cost them more than just the 12th pick.
