Three Underrated Free Agents the Cowboys Should Target This Offseason
The Dallas Cowboys are staring down one of their most pivotal offseasons in recent memory. While much of the attention centers around George Pickens and whether Jerry Jones is finally ready to shift gears on roster-building philosophy, the real story might be on the defensive side of the ball - and how Dallas can shore up a unit that simply didn’t hold up its end in 2025.
The Cowboys finished 7-9-1 last season, but that record doesn’t fully reflect the offensive firepower Brian Schottenheimer’s group brought to the table. The offense showed flashes of being one of the league’s most explosive units.
The problem? The defense couldn’t match that energy.
If Dallas is serious about making a Super Bowl push while Dak Prescott is still playing at a high level, that has to change - now.
Here are three under-the-radar free agents who could make a big impact in Big D.
1. Devin Bush - LB, Cleveland Browns
Let’s start with a linebacker who might be flying a little under the radar - but not for long.
Devin Bush, a seven-year veteran and former top-10 pick, looked like a rising star back in his rookie season with the Steelers. He racked up over 100 tackles, picked off a pair of passes, and looked every bit like the sideline-to-sideline playmaker Pittsburgh envisioned when they drafted him.
Then came the lull - five seasons of inconsistent production and questions about whether he’d ever return to form. But in 2025, Bush reminded everyone why he was once a top prospect.
Suiting up for the Browns, he delivered a resurgent campaign: three interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), 125 tackles, and a career-best 164 interception return yards. He also tied his personal highs in sacks (2) and quarterback hits (4).
According to Pro Football Focus, Bush finished 2025 with an 87.6 grade - fourth-best among all linebackers. That’s not just a bounce-back year; that’s a statement.
Of course, that kind of production doesn’t come cheap. PFF projects Bush’s next deal to land around $36 million over three years, with $24 million guaranteed.
That might be a tough pill for the Cowboys to swallow, especially with other roster priorities. But if Dallas is looking to add a tone-setter in the middle of the field, Bush fits the mold - fast, physical, and opportunistic.
He’s also hungry to win again.
“Of course, losing is not fun in this league,” Bush said during the 2025 season. “We have a lot of football left. And we’ve just got to keep playing ball.”
That mindset would be a welcome addition to a defense that lacked both bite and identity last season.
2. Trey Hendrickson - EDGE, Cincinnati Bengals
If Dallas wants to get serious about pressuring opposing quarterbacks, they need to take a long look at Trey Hendrickson.
Hendrickson has been one of the league’s most consistent pass rushers in recent years, tallying 35 sacks over the 2023 and 2024 seasons. He’s a relentless edge presence with a motor that doesn’t quit - exactly the kind of player who could thrive in a Cowboys defense that needs more firepower up front.
Now, 2025 wasn’t his best year. Injuries limited him to just seven games, and he finished with four sacks and eight quarterback hits.
At 31 years old, some teams might view that as a red flag. But for a team like Dallas - built to win now - Hendrickson’s age isn’t a deal-breaker.
In fact, it might make him more affordable.
The Bengals gave Hendrickson a big raise last year, but the investment didn’t pay off due to his limited availability. And according to reports, there’s little expectation he’ll be back in Cincinnati.
The Cowboys, meanwhile, don’t need Hendrickson to be a five-year solution. They need him to be a short-term difference-maker - someone who can take pressure off Micah Parsons and give opposing offenses another headache to deal with.
If the price is right, Hendrickson could be a perfect fit.
3. Reed Blankenship - S, Philadelphia Eagles
This one would sting for the Eagles - and that’s part of what makes it so appealing.
Reed Blankenship has quietly become one of the most reliable safeties in the NFC East. Over the past three seasons, he’s started 46 of 51 games for Philadelphia and notched nine career interceptions. He’s not the most physically imposing safety, but he’s got a knack for being in the right place at the right time - something the Cowboys desperately lacked in 2025, when they managed just six interceptions in 17 games.
What makes this potential signing even more intriguing is Blankenship’s connection to new Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker. The two worked together in Philadelphia, and the safety has made it clear how much he respects Parker’s coaching.
“He helped build our room, especially,” Blankenship said recently. “And what he brings to the table coaching-wise and just as a person - he’s got it all.”
That familiarity could give Dallas a leg up in negotiations. And while Blankenship might not be the enforcer-type safety who lays the lumber over the middle, he brings ball skills and smarts - two things the Cowboys’ secondary could use more of.
Bottom Line
The Cowboys don’t need to blow up the roster this offseason. They’ve got a top-tier quarterback in Dak Prescott, an offense that can put up points in bunches, and a window that’s still cracked open for a deep playoff run.
But if they’re going to make real noise in 2026, the defense has to step up. That starts with finding players who can make a difference - not just in the box score, but in the locker room and on the sideline.
Devin Bush brings juice and leadership to the linebacking corps. Trey Hendrickson provides a veteran edge presence who can still get after the quarterback. And Reed Blankenship offers a smart, instinctive presence in the secondary - plus the kind of familiarity with the new DC that could help ease the transition.
None of these names will dominate headlines. But if Dallas is looking to make smart, impactful moves this offseason, these are three players worth betting on.