The Dallas Cowboys recently added a major component to solving their defensive problems.
Two, actually.
Jalen Thompson and P.J. Locke, a pair of newly signed, versatile safeties, are expected to quickly improve an underperforming group. Last year’s starting safeties, Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson, are now on two different paths. Hooker remains on the team, after signing a revised contract, opening $2.2 million in salary cap space. Wilson, who led the team with two interceptions, is on the free agent market.
It’s unfair to blame the safety play on the Cowboys’ defensive struggles, but communication and a lack of playmaking contributed to the unit’s overall woes.
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So enter Thompson and Locke, two players who can play both safety spots and nickel corner.
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It’s that versatility that’s been sought the entire offseason by the Cowboys’ defensive coaches.
Locke played under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker in Denver. Thompson played under new secondary coach Ryan Smith in Arizona.
Familiarity with those coaches was vital in both players’ arrival in Dallas.
“We got all the right pieces,” Thompson said this week. “We seen what CP can do as a defensive coordinator and see the type of plays he can do and he puts the players in the right places. And players that have worked under him have been All-Pros and been at that next level. I think he brings that versatility to the defense, guys being in different places and guys doing the right things for the team.”
Thompson played 980 defensive snaps in 2025 for Arizona and participated mainly in three different areas: box (320 snaps), slot (249 snaps) and free safety (389 snaps).
In comparison, Hooker and Wilson combined for 132 snaps in the slot.
Locke picked up a majority of his playing time later in the season. In the last six games of the season, including the postseason, Locke also played three safety positions. Out of 288 snaps during that span, he played 145 snaps from free safety.
Locke said he’s talked to Parker about playing in the slot.
“We mentioned it a little, but it just depends on how the depth chart actually shakes out,” Locke said Thursday when he was introduced to local media. “But I played nickel in college.”
Locke, who attended Beaumont Central and then Texas, said he played a nickel corner who covered receivers and defended the run near the line of scrimmage.
Wilson played with a physicality that was needed during his time in Dallas, but his 14 missed tackles in 2025 was alarming.
Parker wants safeties who are good tacklers, particularly in space, an area where Wilson struggled.
Finding safeties who can cover in the passing game, tackle in space, communicate in the back end of the field and near the line of scrimmage are important factors.
Of course, selecting a nickel corner in the NFL Draft next month is a possibility. With Hooker, Thompson and Locke on the team, it gives the Cowboys options.
Thompson, 27, has played in 99 games in a seven-year career. He has nine interceptions with 37 pass breakups. Hooker had just one pass breakup last year.
Locke, 29, finally healthy after dealing with back issues for several years, solved by surgery in 2024, has played in 90 career games. He’s compiled 174 tackles and five forced fumbles.
The players do different things well, including tackling and communicating with teammates. Because they’ve played for Parker and Smith, they can help translate the new defensive scheme to other players like Hooker.
It’s a scheme of versatility.
“It’s super important because in the game of football nowadays, you got to be able to play in space,” Locke said. “Safeties have to be able to cover and tackle in the open field, depending on the scheme. You got to be able to blitz and (stop) the run. So all those things are important in the game of football nowadays and how much it’s just evolved.”
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