There will be a lot of new faces on the Cowboys defense this year, but only one of them has history with our new defensive coordinator. Safety P.J. Locke’s time working with Christian Parker in Denver helped bring him to the Cowboys, and gives him a huge advantage in Dallas’ upcoming training camp.
Background
Years in NFL: 7
Acquired by: Free agent (2026)
Locke’s career actually began in Pittsburgh as an undrafted rookie in 2019. He was waived at final cuts and didn’t land on the Steelers’ practice squad, or
anyone else’s, for most of that year. Finally, in mid-December, the Broncos signed him to their practice team. Locke again didn’t make the 53-man roster in 2020 but was on the practice squad, and got called up for their first game. He wound up playing in 15 games that year as a core special teamer, leading Denver in ST snaps.
In 2021, Locke’s second year in Denver, Christian Parker was hired as the defensive backs coach. During Parker’s three years with the Broncos, Locke transitioned from being just a special teams ace to a defensive role player. He started eight games at safety in 2023, earning high marks for his play and being rewarded as a full-time starter in 2024, the year Parker left to join Vic Fangio in Philadelphia.
In Denver’s playoff loss to Buffalo that year, Locke suffered a spinal injury that required a rare fusion surgery. He was able to come back and play in 16 games in 2025, with three starts, but his performance dipped. He became a free agent this offseason and quickly agreed to a deal to rejoin Parker in Dallas.
Contract Status
Years Left: 1
2026 Cap Hit: $3.97 million
Locke got nearly $4 million on his one-year deal but with $1.5 million guaranteed, so there is some wiggle room for Dallas depending on the summer goes. But like Jalen Thompson and Caleb Downs, Locke feels like part of a concerted effort to reshape the safety room from past regimes. His contract suggests some kind of role going forward.
2026 Projections
Role: Backup DB
Roster Chance: 90%
We learned last year that familiarity with the defensive coordinator doesn’t mean you’ll play well, but it does help with job security. Hopefully, Locke has better results than Jack Sanborn did. But while Sanborn may have been unsuited for the starting MLB spot that he played, Locke seems to be in Dallas to fill a very similar role to what he had in Denver. He should fit right in as a rotational safety with slot corner flexibility, plus likely special teams work.
When Dallas signed Thompson and Locke last March, they had no idea they’d also wind up with Downs in the draft. And with Malik Hooker and Markquese Bell still around, it’s now a very full group at safety. If the Cowboys only want to keep four of them, it may come down to Locke or Bell. But that would probably be bad news for Bell, who now faces legal issues on top of being a holder from previous coaching staffs and schemes.
Still, Dallas may very well keep all five. Because of that slot ability that Downs, Locke, and Thompson all possess, it could allow the Cowboys to go shorter at cornerback. But in either scenario, Locke still feels like a very safe bet to make the 53 and help Parker bring his vision to this defense.
Check out our previous player profiles from this series:
C Cooper Beebe
G Tyler Booker
S Alijah Clark
EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku
TE Jake Ferguson
S Malik Hooker
WR Jordan Hudson
LB Shemar James
G Trevor Keegan
FB Hunter Luepke
RB Phil Mafah
QB Joe Milton III
WR Jonathan Mingo
CB Devin Moore
LB DeMarvion Overshown
LS Trent Sieg
WR Anthony Smith
OT Terence Steele
CB Reddy Steward
DT Jay Toia
EDGE Tyrus Wheat
EDGE Sam Williams
