Daron Bland
Getty
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Daron Bland.
The Dallas Cowboys have a lot to look forward to in the next month, most notably having 2 1st round picks in the 2026 NFL draft.
And that’s good. Because the first month of free agency hasn’t gone great.
Not only did the Cowboys take a very public swing and a miss on a trade for Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby, but their free agent signings did little to spark the imagination for Cowboys fans and what they might be able to accomplish in 2026.
Brass tax is that while the Cowboys offense is still very, very good — maybe the best in the NFL — their defense is still arguably the NFL’s worst.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame, that defense is still the biggest thing holding the Cowboys back, and it’s up to 1st year defensive coordinator Christian Parker to try and fix it.
“Dallas has one of the more talented offenses in the game,” Verderame wrote. “CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens are an elite combination, and Dak Prescott is always a top-10 quarterback. If the Cowboys can improve behind new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, they’re in business. That aforementioned defense is a rough group, and trading Osa Odighizuwa won’t help matters. While newcomers Rashan Gary and Jalen Thompson are nice pieces, Parker will need to work some magic.”
Cowboys Add Defensive Starters in Trade, Signings
The Cowboys kicked off the free agency cycle with a high-profile trade for Green Bay Packers edge rusher and former 1st round pick Gary — a plug-and-play starter on defense.
On the surface, it appears the Cowboys added at least 2 more starters in free agency, with Thompson on a 3-year, $33 million contract and cornerback Cobie Durant on a 1-year, $5.5 milion contract.
“The Cowboys made their first splash free-agent agreement since adding cornerback Brandon Carr on a five-year, $50 million deal in 2012,” ESPN’s Todd Archer wrote. “Thompson fills a major need in the secondary for the Cowboys. He has been a full-time starter the past five seasons with Arizona and has nine career interceptions. He can fill multiple roles for new coordinator Christian Parker … The Cowboys need a communicator in the secondary, and Thompson can make sure everybody is on the same page. He is young — turning 28 in July — but has the experience to help a secondary grow.”
Cowboys Could Double Dip on Defense in Draft
There is a good chance the Cowboys try to find 2 plug-and-play starters with both of their 1st round picks.
Outside of defensive tackle, where Pro Bowler Kenny Clark and NFL All-Pro Quinnen Williams reside, Dallas could go for the best player possible at any other position to find help.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. predicts the Cowboys will use both of their 1st round picks on defensive stars with Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy at No. 12 overall, then take Georgia inside linebacker CJ Allen at No. 20 overall with the pick obtained from the Packers in the Micah Parsons trade.
“It’d be wise for the Cowboys to double-dip on defense,” Kiper wrote. “They gave up 6.1 yards per play in 2025, 31st in the NFL and third worst for any team in any of the past five seasons.”