Before we got to the draft, arguably the biggest piece in Dallas’ defensive makeover was free agent safety Jalen Thompson. The new veteran leader in a revamped secondary, Thompson’s signing was indicative of the Cowboys’ commitment to giving their new defensive coordinator what he needs to succeed.
Background
Years in NFL: 7
Acquired by: Free agency (2026)
If you didn’t already know that Thompson was the last player selected in the supplemental draft, you probably do after the last few weeks. The recent controversy
over Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby has driven him to this unconventional route to the NFL. If selected, he’d be the first supplemental selection since Thompson in 2019.
Seven years ago, Thompson was preparing for his senior year at Washington State when an issue over a banned substance cost him his remaining eligibility. It was just enough time for for Thompson to declare for that summer’s supplemental draft, in which the Arizona Cardinals gave up a fifth-round pick to claim him. He started as a backup to star Budda Baker and veteran D.J. Swearinger, but was promoted to starter in Week 5 after Swearinger was released.
Thompson has held that job ever since, forming one of the league’s better safety duos with Baker through last season. While never recognized as an All-Pro and or Pro Bowler like his teammate, Thompson has done his part. Last year, Pro Football Focus graded him 30th-best out of 98 safeties, better than over half of the league’s other starters. Still in his prime, turning 28 in July, Thompson entered the 2026 free agent market as one of the top safety options available.
The Cowboys had longtime starter Donovan Wilson and key backup Juanyeh Thomas on expiring contracts this offseason. But with Christian Parker’s arrival as defensive coordinator, they were also looking for a different type of safety to suit his scheme changes. Thompson, be it for the two-high safety looks or to work out of the slot, suited those needs well. Dallas struck fast, making Thompson the first external free agent they agreed to terms with during the “legal tampering” period.
Contract Status
Years Left: 3
2026 Cap Hit: $4.62 million
Thompson’s three-year, $33 million deal is one of the most lucrative than an outside hire has received from Dallas in some time. They reworked the first year to reduce the base salary and help with the cap. $11 million per season is still under half of what the likes of Derwin James and Kyle Hamilton make, so it should be a good value if Thompson delivers.
2026 Projections
Role: Starting S
Roster Chance: 100%
Thompson was clearly brought in to start, and nothing about the rest of the offseason has changed that. Dallas didn’t know they’d end up with Caleb Downs in the draft, but that’s really more an issue for Malik Hooker and P.J. Locke’s playing time. In base defense, he and Downs will likely start. In nickel, it looks like Downs may move into the slot while Thompson and either Hooker or Locke would play the two-high spots.
Because Thompson, Downs, and Locke all have slot versatility, how they’ll be deployed is a variable that Parker can use to confuse opponents or adapt for certain matchups. But whatever the look, Thompson probably is going to be on the field as much as anyone. Even when Hooker, Wilson, and Jayron Kearse were doing solid work as a safety trio for Dan Quinn’s defense, they never got paid like Thompson just did. It’s no leap to say that the Cowboys have big plans for him.
Check out our previous player profiles from this series:
RB Israel Abanikanda | S Justin Barron | G T.J. Bass | C Cooper Beebe | G Tyler Booker | S Alijah Clark | DT Tommy Dunn | CB Cobie Durant | OLB Donovan Ezeiruaku | TE Princeton Fant | TE Jake Ferguson | WR Ryan Flournoy | C Matt Hennessy | S Malik Hooker | OLB James Houston | WR Jordan Hudson | LB Shemar James | G Trevor Keegan | CB Derion Kendrick | OLB Isaiah Land | S P.J. Locke | FB Hunter Luepke | RB Phil Mafah | QB Joe Milton III | WR Jonathan Mingo | CB Devin Moore | LB DeMarvion Overshown | TE DJ Rogers | TE Luke Schoonmaker | LS Trent Sieg | WR Anthony Smith | OT Terence Steele | CB Reddy Steward | OT Nate Thomas | DT Jay Toia | WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling | OLB Tyrus Wheat | RB Javonte Williams | OLB Sam Williams | DT D.J. Withers | S Julius Wood
