As the Dallas Cowboys prepare for the 2025 season, several key positions must be addressed to ensure the roster is balanced and ready for the NFL draft to commence.
Unlike what owner Jerry Jones said this week, free agency is the ideal opportunity to fill roster gaps without creating desperation that often leads to rash decisions in the draft.
They've made moves to clear $57 million so far this offseason; that's a sign to spend.
With that in mind here are four positions the Cowboys are likely to target:
1. Defensive Tackle (1-Technique) - The Cowboys currently have Mazi Smith as the only 1-technique defensive tackle on the roster, and he needs a capable partner for rotation.
Players like Javon Hargrave or Jonathan Allen would fit the bill-starting-caliber athletes who can contribute without (maybe) breaking the bank.
These players align with the Cowboys' philosophy of "selectively aggressive" spending in the middle waves of free agency. While they may not command top-tier salaries, they offer the experience and depth needed for a successful defensive front.
Keep in mind our discussion on why defensive tackle takes so long to translate.
2. Linebacker -Assuming Damone Clark does end up being a cap casualty cut, Marist Liufau would effectively be the only healthy linebacker heading into the season.
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Demarvion Overshown, while promising, still has an unknown timetable, so you can't bank on his services. What you can do is ensure stability and remove the learning curve from the equation.
Go get a signal caller, much like Eric Kendricks last year, and get a guy who can ease the transition into a different defense. Dre Greenlaw comes to mind as a quality but cheap veteran guy who played under Cowboys special teams coordinator Nick Sorensen last year.
(Kendricks could come back, too.)
Once again, these are void-filling insurance requests here. Proper team building that'll allow you to take the best player available on draft day while also making ease of the college to pro transition. No more asking rookies like Mazi Smith and Tyler Guyton to do too much too soon.
3. Cornerback (Opposite DaRon Bland) - Jourdan Lewis should be re-signed as a nickel corner, but the Cowboys are still missing a starting cornerback opposite Bland. Signing a proven starter would once again safeguard against desperation and provide the necessary experience for a playoff-caliber defense.
This is about waiting on Trevon Diggs' rehab, of course.
Perhaps Charvarius Ward wants to come back where it all started and also rejoin his former defensive coordinator, Nick Sorensen.
4. Wide Receiver - Beyond CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys' receiving corps is full of uncertainty. To bolster Dak Prescott's arsenal, adding a proven veteran like Marquise "Hollywood" Brown makes sense.
Lamb and Brown were dynamic together in college aT Oklahoma and both bring something slightly different to the table while also offering position flex.
Brown is another high draft pedigree guy that's still young and not too expensive thanks to an unfortunate bout with health related issues. The "right kinda guy" if you will.
In summary, the Cowboys must do the opposite of what Jerry Jones suggested yesterday and strategically address these critical positions. By doing so, they ensure adequate depth while also avoiding desperation.
One last time: proven vets via free agency prevent draft desperation.
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This story was originally published March 6, 2025 at 2:59 PM.