The Dallas Cowboys have had a busy offseason of change as 27 new faces on the 90-man roster have arrived to join a coaching staff that is entirely different under head coach Brian Schottenheimer with the exception of one holdover from the Mike McCarthy staff, tight ends coach Lunda Wells.
After a deafening quiet offseason in 2024 that saw the Cowboys add just two outside veteran free agents going into training camp, the 2025 offseason has seen the front office attack positions of need with much more intention.
Still, some holes remain on the roster. While executive vice president Stephen Jones did say that the team doesn’t “have anything that’s on the front burner” to add to the roster, some positions will need addressing before week one.
Here are the three position groups that could use help with extra bodies going into training camp in a little more than six weeks.
Defensive tackle
The Cowboys put no bigger offseason emphasis on an internal free agent than they did with starting three-technique Osa Odighizuwa, who ended up re-signing with the team on a four-year deal. While his pass rush services have proven to be among the best in the NFL for interior defensive linemen, there isn’t much around him.
Veteran Solomon Thomas was added in free agency as a rotational body for when Odighizuwa is off the field, but there is still a huge question mark at the one-technique position. Third-year Mazi Smith hasn’t lived up to his first-round billing, specifically in defending the run, and will need depth help behind him to carry the load. Seventh-round draft picks Jay Toia and Tommy Akingbesote provide depth in the interior, but an experienced veteran may prove to be the best option.
Added after training camp in 2024, Linval Joseph still remains on the open market and could be a candidate for a late add before the season begins in September. Other veteran free agents include Raekwon Davis and Austin Johnson, two run-lane cloggers at over 310 pounds.
Cornerback
The health of the cornerback room remains one of the biggest storylines heading into training camp, as the Cowboys await the return of Trevon Diggs to see how his health is progressing, and for rookie third-round pick Shavon Revel Jr. to fully recover from his torn ACL last October.
“Between guys like Diggs and Revel and guys that can make a big difference for us, we’ll know more when we get to camp,” Stephen Jones said on Tuesday.
While new addition Kaiir Elam has been one of the defensive standouts in OTAs, there are still questions about what the starting lineup would look like if Diggs and/or Revel are not ready for week one.
DaRon Bland offers the safest spot, especially with his ability to play outside or in the slot. Elam would take the other outside spot. The question would be who the third cornerback would be at either slot or opposite of Elam on the boundary.
Options such as Israel Mukuamu, Kemon Hall and Andrew Booth Jr. have been thrown out during OTAs, but a safe veteran option could give the team the buffer it needs to allow Diggs and Revel to come back on their own pace.
While trading for Jalen Ramsey and his large contract is not in the team’s plans, according to multiple team sources, veteran free agents such as Rasul Douglas, Asante Samuel Jr. and Stephon Gilmore remain on the open market. Adding one to the roster on a cheap one-year deal would be an ideal situation heading into training camp.
Safety
The health of the safety room has seen some concerns during the team’s OTA period, as three safeties at the top of the depth chart have seen some time with the rehab group in the last few weeks.
Donovan Wilson is working back from a minor knee procedure he had done when the season ended, Markquese Bell is in the final stages of recovery from his season-ending shoulder injury and Malik Hooker left practice on Tuesday with the training staff.
With all three on the sidelines, the starting safety group during the team period of OTAs on Tuesday featured Juanyeh Thomas and undrafted rookie Alijah Clark. While there is confidence in those two players, it isn’t quite at the level of starting capabilities just yet, specifically with Clark.
While the room heals and gets back to 100-percent, adding a cheap veteran to provide some training camp competition could greatly benefit the position group. Experienced options such as Tashaun Gipson, Quandre Diggs and Justin Simmons remain on the open market.