Jan. 22, 2026, 5:55 p.m. CT

One of the oldest tenets in the NFL is that players tend to follow the coaches who have had positive impacts on their development. With Christian Parker in line to become the next Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator, and with his glowing reputation as a teacher and tactician, it is fair to wonder which former players could be joining him in Dallas.

Fans know, the club is in dire need of additional defensive talent. And while Parker is moving up to playcaller for the first time in his career, his relationships with players doesn’t necessarily have to be limited to secondary players just because he was the defensive passing game coordinator. There could absolutely be linebackers who have been involved in those meetings who are interested in working for the 34-year old under the bright lights in Dallas.

The first glimpse is to who are pending free agents within the Philadelphia Eagles organization but things don’t stop there. Parker also coached with the Denver Broncos from 2021 through 2023, and players from that era could still easily be able to contribute in 2026.

Unfortunately for the Cowboys, the players who likely have most benefitted from Parker’s tutelage are either still under their rookie deals with the Eagles, or have signed on long-term with their team.

Here’s a rundown of the top potential free agents who could now be in the mix in Dallas, tiered by their 2025 Pro Football Focus overall defensive grades.

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.CB Ja’Quan McMillian (RFA), Denver, 2022-23, 80.3 grade in 2025McMillian is a former UDFA who has been a staple in the Denver secondary. They will most likely slap him with a 1st round or 2nd round tender, taking him off the market.Safety Avonte Maddox, Detroit, 2024, 79.1 grade in 2025Maddox had an incredible single season in Detroit, but didn’t fare as well in Philly. He had a 61.9 overall grade in his one season working with Parker.Safety CJ Gardner-Johnson, Philadelphia, 2024, 51.4 grade in 2025Not a great year for Gardner-Johnson in Chicago, but he did have a 77.0 grade w/ Parker in 2024.LB Justin Strnad, Denver, 2021-23, 72.1 grade in 2025Strnad barely played while Parker was in Denver, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t have a chance to form some level of working relationship. Now that he’s getting, he’s an intriguing option for the Cowboys to fill out their linebacker core with.CB Fabian Moreau, Minnesota, 2023, 71.4Moreau has a strong grade, but only played 198 snaps in 2025 as a reserve. Could definitely be added as a depth piece to help round out the roster if Parker liked what he saw their one year together in 2023; Moreau graded out at 62.4 on 739 snaps.LB Alex Singleton, Denver, 2022-23, 70.1Single had a strong first year in Denver with Parker in 2022, his highest graded of his six seasons at 79.1.Safety PJ Locke, Denver, 2021-23, 63.0Nothing much stands out with Locke, who has mostly been a reserve, but he did have 3 sacks on 11 pash rush snaps in 2023 with Parker.LB Nakobe Dean, Philadelphia, 2024-25, 62.2Dean has generally been regarded as a bust with the Eagles, but when he got starter snaps through the year in 2024 with Parker, he had a 77.4 grade, including a strong year in both run defense and pass rush.

Those aren’t the only back-seven players who are on the free agent market this year, but they are the ones who turned in average-or-better performances. Here’s a look at other free agent linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties with ties to Parker.

CB Adoree’ Jackson, Philadelphia, 2025, 53.6 grade in 2025Safety Marcus Epps, Philadelphia, 2025, 51.8 grade in 2025Safety Reed Blankenship, Philadelphia, 2024-25, 42.6 grade in 2025LB Ben Van Sumeren (RFA), Philadelphia, 2024-25, N/ALB Josey Jewell, Out of League, 2021-23Safety Justin Simmons, Out of League, 2021-23Safety Kareem Jackson, Out of the League, 2021-22