March 20, 2026, 2:01 p.m. CT

Free agency is finishing off its second week and things for the Dallas Cowboys have slowed to a crawl. Despite not making many headlining moves, the team was busy during the early open market. The trade for Rashan Gary and signing of safety Jalen Thompson remain the highlights early this offseason.

Those two additions were solid, but they still have two big holes to address. Linebacker and edge rusher remain the glaring issues on Christian Parker’s defense and the options to improve at those positions at drying up.

The Cowboys have tried to upgrade at both places but have come up short. Trading for pass rusher Maxx Crosby failed, as did trying to sign LB Nakobe Dean, who chose the Las Vegas Raiders over the Cowboys. Now it feels like Dallas is in wait-and-see mode in free agency, which is a passive approach the team cannot afford. If the organization doesn’t find any veterans to fill the holes, they could be turning to the draft to find their solutions. It’s a great draft for LB and pass rushing prospects, but the Cowboys shouldn’t aspire to fix everything in late April since those aren’t their only problem areas on the roster.

When the draft arrives, there needs to be less holes, not more. The good news is there are still some options to help. 

At LB, there are quality veterans who could fill the gaps and make the Cowboys less desperate in the draft. Among the top options are Bobby Wagner, Bobby Okereke, and Matt Milano. The play of each of these veterans has dropped off in recent seasons, but they are also reliable players who can step in and be immediate starters.

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Wagner isn’t the player he used to be, but he’s just one season removed from being a second-team All-Pro and hasn’t missed a game due to injury since 2018. The veteran is a reliable tackler and brings some ability as a blitzer, with 16 sacks over the last four years.

Okereke isn’t as accomplished, but he’s a solid interior LB who would bring a professional presence to pair with current Cowboys LB DeMarvion Overshown. If the team is looking for a starring caliber LB who can call the defense, Okereke is a nice option.

Milano could help as well, but his injury history suggests he wouldn’t fit in well in Dallas.

The Cowboys know they’ve got a need at LB and attended Georgia’s Pro Day to watch first-round prospect C.J. Allen. That’s a name to watch for the team in the draft, but the defense would be better off with a veteran and then hope to find the right rookie fit. 

With two selections in the first round, the draft can bring help, but nothing is guaranteed when 31 other franchises can pick Allen, or any LB prospect, instead of the Cowboys. That’s why adding a veteran now feels like a necessity.

It’s the same case at edge rusher, where there are veterans who can fill the void, but who are no longer considered top players. Cameron Jordan, Joey Bosa, Von Miller, and Kyle Van Noy might all fit in Dallas, who could still re-sign Dante Fowler.

Jordan and Bosa are the more of the options who would be ready to step in as defensive edges who can play on early downs. Jordan had a comeback season in 2025 with 10.5 sacks, his first double-digit since 2021 and he’d step in as a leader in the locker room as well.

Bosa is much younger but he’s had a difficult time staying on the field. The veteran pass rusher hasn’t played a full season since 2019 and hasn’t had double-digit sacks since 2021. Bosa would be an upgrade, but his reliability is a big question mark.

Miller and Van Noy are more of designated pass rushers at this point in their careers, but the Cowboys could use some juice off the edge. Van Noy had a slow season after 12.5 sack year in 2024, while Miller led the Washington Commanders in sacks with nine last season and has stated he’s coming back for another year.

The draft is full of edge-rushing options, but the Cowboys would be gambling to see if they can land one of the top prospects and expect them to step right in and make an impact. Miami’s Rueben Bain, Texas Tech’s David Bailey or Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell could be the answer, but none are guaranteed to be selected by the Cowboys.

That’s why signing a veteran option now makes sense before the draft.

The Cowboys are tempting fate by not adding a veteran at LB or pass rusher in free agency. The options are drying up and those are two massive holes on the current roster.

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