Jan. 25, 2026, 4:04 p.m. CT

A properly synergetic offseason is one which utilizes both free agency and the NFL draft to achieve roster goals. One avenue adds proven talent at what is often a more expensive price. The other adds unproven rookie talent that can land on boom, bust or anything in between. The Dallas Cowboys need to use both avenues in 2026 because they have too many needs and not enough cash or draft picks to fill with one method alone.

A solid case can be made linebacker and safety are the Cowboys’ two greatest needs. Given the positional importance and dearth of options on the roster, though, cornerback and edge rusher trump those positions. Since free agency opens March 11, and the 2026 NFL draft doesn’t occur until April 23, free agency should be the first focus as the Cowboys gauge the supply of talent at their given positions.

2026 free agent class at CB

Trevon Diggs is no longer on the roster and DaRon Bland is rehabbing from a serious foot injury. What was once viewed as a massive strength just 12 months ago, is now a serious concern. The Cowboys hope they found a long-term solution in 2025 third-round pick Shavon Revel, but he had a tough rookie season that inspires more doubt than confidence.

Players like Reddy Steward, Caelen Carson and Josh Butler are decent depth pieces, but no one wants to roll into 2026 with any of them penciled in as starters. It’s likely the Cowboys need multiple starting quality players at CB this offseason which means significant investment by way of cash or draft capital.

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Free agents Tariq Woolen (26), Jamel Dean (29), Eric Stokes (26), Greg Newsome (25), Roger McCreary (25), Alontae Taylor (27) and Cam Taylor-Britt (26) all look to cash in on major contracts this spring. Oddly enough, the CB who’s projected to command the most per Spotrac estimates is former Cowboys CB Nahshon Wright.

Starting quality CBs are out there, but after two high-priced players (Diggs and Bland) just burned the Cowboys, Jerry Jones may be inclined to shop the secondary market and sign mid-level or even low-level free agents.

2026 free agent class at DE

With Micah Parsons long gone and both Dante Fowler and Jadeveon Clowney free agents, the Cowboys have major needs at DE. Donovan Ezeiruaku and James Houston are promising but the Cowboys need more pass rushers in the mix if they want to improve in 2026.

Step 1 is trying to re-sign Clowney to a larger deal. Step 2 is finding at least a couple rotational players to fill snaps right away in 2026.

Trey Hendrickson (31), Odafe Oweh (27), Kwity Paye (27) Joseph Ossai (25) and Khalil Mack (34) headline the free agent class, but a second tier of Joey Bosa (30), Haason Reddick (31), Arnold Ebiketie (26) and Al-Quadin Muhammad (30) might be more the reclamation projects Dallas looks for.

Cowboys verdict: Both for both

Given the Cowboys need multiple bodies at both spots, it’s likely the front office targets reclamation projects at both DE and CB while also targeting both positions in the NFL draft. For example, the Cowboys could sign Reddick at DE and Rock Ya-Sin at CB, and pair each with rookies CB Mansoor Delane and DE Akheem Mesidor from the draft.

Particulars aren’t important at this point in January; the main takeaway is one avenue alone won’t get the job done. Both free agency and the draft will likely be traveled to address both positions.

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