With Christian Parker officially installed as the Dallas Cowboys’ new defensive coordinator, the next big question isn’t just who’s joining him on the sideline - it’s who might be following him onto the field.
Parker arrives in Dallas after helping shape a rugged, disciplined Eagles defense. And while the Cowboys are still focused on building out his coaching staff, it’s hard not to look ahead and wonder: Could some of Parker’s former defensive players make the trip down I-95 and suit up in silver and blue?
Dallas enters the offseason with a pair of first-round picks and a defense that needs more than just a fresh playbook. Pass rusher, linebacker, safety, corner - take your pick. There are holes to plug, and while the draft offers long-term answers, free agency could provide some immediate reinforcements.
Names like Trey Hendrickson, Alex Singleton, Devin Lloyd, Devin Bush, and Nakobe Dean have already surfaced as potential targets. Each brings a different skill set, and each fills a different need. But one name stands out - not just because of his talent, but because of his connection to Parker: Reed Blankenship.
Blankenship didn’t have his best year in coverage in 2025 - Pro Football Focus gave him a 29.9 grade in that department - but he was a force against the run, earning a solid 75.3 grade. And it’s worth noting: just a season earlier, his coverage grade sat at a much more impressive 87.1. That kind of bounce-back potential is exactly what teams look for in free agency - especially when the price is right.
According to Spotrac, Blankenship’s projected market value sits at $7.2 million per year. For a 26-year-old safety with starting experience and familiarity with Parker’s system? That’s a number the Cowboys could live with.
There’s also the question of chemistry. Bringing in a player like Blankenship - someone who already understands Parker’s terminology, expectations, and defensive philosophy - could fast-track the transition for the rest of the unit. He wouldn’t just be a new piece; he’d be a bridge between what Parker built in Philly and what he wants to establish in Dallas.
Of course, there are hurdles. Blankenship is still a valued piece in Philadelphia, and the Eagles won’t be eager to see him land with a division rival.
There’s also the human element - switching sides in one of the NFL’s fiercest rivalries isn’t a decision any player takes lightly. But the opportunity to reunite with a coach who helped elevate his game?
That could carry serious weight.
Nakobe Dean is another name to watch, though his injury history raises some red flags. The Cowboys need availability as much as they need ability, and Dean’s durability hasn’t exactly been a selling point so far. Still, the Parker connection is real, and if Dallas believes Dean can stay healthy, the upside is there.
In the end, this offseason won’t be just about scheme changes or draft boards. It’ll be about building a defense that can hold up in January - something Dallas has struggled to do in recent years.
Christian Parker brings a fresh perspective and proven success. Now, the Cowboys have to give him the players to match.
And if a few of those come straight from his old locker room? Well, that might just be the start of something big in Big D.