Dallas Cowboys proprietor Jerry Jones could also be about to open his pockets.
On Friday on the NFL Scouting Mix in Indianapolis, Jones spoke with reporters about his pending strategy to free company, with ESPN’s Todd Archer reporting the longtime Cowboys proprietor plans to be aggressive this March.
“I’d wager that we’ll spend extra money in free company than we’ve got,” Jones mentioned.
After fielding one of many NFL’s worst defenses in 2025, the Cowboys don’t have any scarcity of wants coming into the free company interval, which opens on March 11 at 4 p.m. ET.
Under, we take a look at 5 gamers Dallas ought to goal because it seeks to rebound from its first back-to-back dropping seasons since 2000-02.
Security Kamren Curl
The Cowboys ought to look to get youthful at security after Malik Hooker, 30, was restricted to only 12 video games attributable to damage in 2025. Curl, who turns 27 in March, has predominantly performed free security over the previous two seasons with the Los Angeles Rams however started his profession primarily as a powerful security with the Washington Commanders, and his energy as a run defender may lead him again to that function. That could possibly be a significant increase for a Dallas protection that ranked No. 26 in rush yards per try (4.7) in 2025.
Linebacker Demario Davis
The Cowboys had the league’s worst third-down protection a season in the past, permitting opponents to transform at a 47.3 % charge.
The unit struggled towards the run in short-yardage conditions, giving up a primary down on 79.4 % of third-and-short (three yards or much less) speeding performs, the third-highest charge within the league, solely forward of the Buffalo Payments (91.4 %) and New England Patriots (88.9 %).
Davis would assist repair that drawback. NFL Pro noted in November 2025 that the 14-year veteran, 37, led linebackers with 15 run stuffs by way of Week 13, with a number of coming in short-yardage conditions. He completed the season with 10 tackles on third or fourth-and-short run performs, and New Orleans tied for the third-fewest yards allowed per play (2.2) in these conditions.
Edge-rusher Trey Hendrickson
The highest pass-rusher available on the market, Hendrickson had back-to-back 17.5-sack seasons in 2023-24 earlier than being restricted to seven video games attributable to damage in 2025, when he completed with 4 sacks. One complication right here could possibly be if the Cincinnati Bengals, who Hendrickson has performed for the previous 5 seasons, applies the franchise tag forward of the March 3 deadline, which might enable the group to regulate the place he performs subsequent through commerce.
“That hypothetical situation could be very sophisticated,” Bengals director of participant personnel Duke Tobin told reporters on the scouting mix, making it unlikely. But it surely’s nonetheless doable, with means the Cowboys want an appropriate different.
Edge-rusher Jaelan Phillips
If Dallas whiffs on Hendrickson, Phillips could be an applicable Plan B.
After poaching former Philadelphia Eagles move sport coordinator and defensive backs coach Christian Parker for its open defensive coordinator place, Dallas could attempt to lure a few of his former gamers to the Lone Star State. Acquired from the Miami Dolphins on the 2025 commerce deadline, Phillips appeared in 9 video games (together with playoffs) for the Eagles and was credited by Professional Soccer Focus with 44 complete pressures. Per PFF, his 76 pressures in 2025 had been the ninth-most quantity edge defenders.
Cornerback Nahshon Wright
The Cowboys let Wright go away as soon as earlier than, buying and selling him to the Minnesota Vikings in August 2024 in trade for nook Andrew Sales space, who was launched a yr later after taking part in simply 118 protection snaps for Dallas.
The Cowboys might make up for that misfire by signing Wright after a breakout 2025, when he had 5 interceptions, together with one returned for a landing, 11 passes defended, three fumble recoveries and acquired his first Professional Bowl nod.
