The Dallas Cowboys head into the 2026 offseason with more questions than answers - especially on the defensive side of the ball. While the offense has its own under-the-radar issues, it’s the defense that took the biggest step back last season. After a string of bold trades and roster reshuffles, the Cowboys are working with six draft picks (plus potential compensatory selections), but limited capital means they’ll need to be precise with how they address their most pressing needs.
Here’s a breakdown of the five biggest position groups the Cowboys will need to prioritize - and why each one could define the direction of their offseason.
1. Edge Rusher: Life After Micah Parsons
Let’s start with the obvious: trading Micah Parsons was a seismic move. Whether you were on board with it or not, there’s no denying the vacuum it left on the edge. Combine that with DeMarcus Lawrence heading to Seattle, and suddenly the Cowboys’ once-feared pass rush looked toothless.
Jadeveon Clowney did what he could, leading the team with 8.5 sacks despite joining after the season started - a testament to his effort, but also a red flag about the rest of the unit. With Clowney hitting free agency again, and Sam Williams and Dante Fowler also set to test the market, Dallas is staring down a depth chart that’s dangerously thin.
Donovan Ezeiruaku showed some flashes as a rookie, but the production didn’t follow - and the Cowboys can’t afford to bank on potential alone. They need a tone-setter off the edge, someone who can win one-on-ones and collapse the pocket consistently. That’s easier said than done, but it has to be a top priority in the draft.
Names to watch: Keldric Faulk, David Bailey, Cassius Howell, Reuben Bain, Gabe Jacas
2. Cornerback: From Depth to Desperation
The cornerback room was a mess by the end of last season. Trevon Diggs was already working his way back from a serious knee injury, but things only got worse. A concussion suffered at home landed him on IR, and his decision not to travel with the team on Christmas reportedly created enough friction to lead to his release.
Dallas tried to plug the gap by trading for Kaiir Elam, banking on his first-round pedigree. That experiment didn’t last - Elam was waived midseason.
DaRon Bland, who had been a breakout star the year before, struggled to stay healthy and just underwent foot surgery. And rookie Shavon Revel?
He was thrown into the fire and, predictably, got burned more often than not.
The Cowboys need more than just bodies - they need cover corners who can hold up in man-to-man and give the pass rush time to work. If they don’t upgrade here, they’ll be asking for another year of defensive breakdowns on the back end.
Names to watch: Mansoor Delane, Aevion Terrell, Malik Muhammad, Jermod McCoy, Domani Jackson
3. Linebacker: A Group in Freefall
If there was a position group that underperformed across the board, it was linebacker. Kenneth Murray was supposed to bring veteran stability after coming over from Tennessee. Instead, he delivered one of the worst seasons of his career - ranked 86th out of 88 qualified linebackers, with a missed tackle rate that made fans cringe.
Jack Sanborn, who followed defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus from Chicago, didn’t fare much better. The lack of consistency from the veterans opened the door for rookie Shemar James, who showed some promise, and Marist Liufau, who will be expected to take a leap in Year 2. DeMarvion Overshown remains the most reliable name in the group - and that says a lot.
The Cowboys will be scouting this year’s linebacker class closely. They need someone who can clean up in the run game and hold their own in coverage - a do-it-all ‘backer who can anchor the middle of the field and bring some much-needed stability.
Names to watch: Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles, Anthony Hill, Jacob Rodriguez, Jake Golday
4. Safety: A Reset Is Coming
Donovan Wilson has been a fan favorite thanks to his physical style, but he turns 31 next month and doesn’t have the range to be a true back-end eraser. Malik Hooker, meanwhile, carries a hefty $9 million cap hit and could be a cap casualty.
Juanyeh Thomas once looked like a developmental gem, but migraines sidelined him for much of last season. Alijah Clark is still raw, and it’s unclear whether he’ll be ready to contribute in a significant way in 2026.
With a new defensive coordinator coming in, the Cowboys have a clean slate at safety. They’re not locked into any big contracts, which means they can go out and find the right fit - whether that’s a centerfield-type with elite range or a hybrid who can play in the box and cover tight ends. Either way, expect major turnover here.
Names to watch: Caleb Downs, Kamari Ramsey, AJ Haulcy, Javon Kilgore, Bud Black
5. Offensive Line: Depth Needed, Decisions Looming
On paper, the Cowboys have invested heavily in the offensive line - four of their starters were top-75 picks, including three first-rounders. But that doesn’t mean the unit is set.
Right tackle Terence Steele has not lived up to the five-year, $86.8 million deal he signed, and his $16.8 million cap hit for next season is tough to justify based on his recent play. If Dallas decides to move on, that opens up a spot that needs to be filled immediately.
On the left side, Tyler Guyton is entering a make-or-break third season. He was benched late in the year, and his inconsistency has the Cowboys eyeing potential replacements or at least a swing tackle who can step in if needed.
Depth is also a concern. Brock Hoffman, who has proven to be a valuable interior backup, is a restricted free agent and could be poached. If he walks, Dallas loses a player who can fill in at all three interior spots - the kind of versatility that’s hard to replace.
Names to watch: Kayden Proctor, Francis Mauigoa, Blake Miller, Iapani Lalolulu, Ashton Craig
Final Thoughts
The Cowboys aren’t in full rebuild mode - far from it. But the roster has taken some hits, especially on defense, and they’re entering an offseason where precision in the draft and smart free-agent moves are non-negotiable. With a new defensive coordinator incoming and a handful of roster holes that can’t be ignored, this offseason could be a turning point.
If Dallas nails their picks and adds the right veterans, they’ll be right back in the mix. But if they miss? The cracks we saw in 2025 could become full-blown fractures in 2026.