Jerry Jones Dallas Cowboys salary cap
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Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys received some bad news when it came to the 2026 NFL salary cap on Friday.
The Dallas Cowboys have not gotten off to the start that many were hoping to see to begin the 2026 NFL offseason.
Not long ago, the Cowboys were thought to have a good chance at landing Maxx Crosby in a blockbuster trade with the Las Vegas Raiders. He ended up being dealt to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for two first-round picks.
Jerry Jones and Dallas have been linked to a plethora of different free agency options, but so far the team hasn’t been able to make a splash.
So far this offseason, the Cowboys’ biggest moves have been the signing of former Arizona Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson and the trade with the Green Bay Packers to acquire Rashan Gary. He will help shore up the defensive backfield, but Dallas badly needs to figure out a way to boost its pass rush.
Trey Hendrickson has been rumored to be a potential option for the Cowboys. That could still happen, but is much less likely after the trade for Gary.
Gary will help the pass rush, but his tenure with the Packers was full of inconsistency. Dallas should still try to add another impact player.
Dallas Cowboys Linked to Towering 6-Foot-6 Pass Rusher
It’s possible that Jones and the Cowboys could turn to the 2026 NFL Draft for another pass rusher rather than signing or trading for one.
With that being said, an intriguing option has been suggested.
Shane Hallam of DraftSharks has projected Dallas to land Auburn defensive end Keldrick Faulk with the No. 12 overall pick in the first round of the draft.
“Faulk came into 2025 with top-5 potential but had an inconsistent year,” Hallam wrote. “At 290 pounds with an explosive first step, he could be utilized in multiple roles. Faulk’s upside allows him to replace Demarcus Lawrence’s role for the Cowboys.”
Standing in at 6-foot-6 and 285 pounds, Faulk could be exactly what the Cowboys’ defense needs to round out their pass rush.
What Would Keldrick Faulk Bring to the Cowboys’ Defense?
During the 2025 college football season at Auburn, Faulk recorded 29 tackles, two sacks, and four defended passes. Back in 2024, he had a bigger year with 45 tackles, seven sacks, a forced fumble, and a defended pass.
Faulk possesses a lot of raw talent and potential. He has a lot of areas that need to improve, but the base is there for Dallas to turn him into a star should the team choose to draft him.
NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein offered his thoughts about Faulk’s game. He sees a high ceiling, but did offer some areas that are a bit concerning.
“Faulk has a long, developing frame, good movement skills and the potential for odd or even fronts once he gains more muscle mass. He’s a culture player with high character who earns a grade bump based on his age (turns 21 in September), traits and advanced foundation,” Zierlein wrote.
“A fluid athlete with good movement skills, he works around blocks with finesse but needs more assertive initial strikes to set firmer edges in gap control. His toughness and mentality suggest he’ll play through blocks more consistently in an NFL environment. Faulk’s rush is diverse. However, with average upfield burst, he might require a move inside on passing downs, where his long levers, quickness and agility can overmatch guards. Faulk needs polish but offers a high ceiling that should reveal itself within a couple of years.”
In addition to his breakdown, Zierlein offered a potential NFL comparison for Faulk. He seems Carlos Dunlap as a similar player to what Faulk could bring to a team.