Dallas has had a reasonably busy offseason befitting a team that was historically bad on defense in 2025 and has made all sorts of moves to fix that. The best might have been bringing in a defensive coordinator, but since that has yet to be proven, what else did Dallas do defensively that stands out?
They revamped their secondary, and while the biggest headline grabber there was drafting Caleb Downs, one NFL pundit has another move on the back end of the defense that he thought was also quite good.
Could there be another move on that defense to improve matters dramatically? There is, but all indications are that Dallas will be in a long line to get this standout pass rusher who might be on the trading block. Here’s a day in Dallas headlines.
Cobie Durant
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell has a two-part series looking at all 32 NFL teams’ best and worst moves of the offseason. While Cowboy fans are fired up about the team’s draft, that actually wasn’t what got Barnwell’s attention as the best move Dallas made in the offseason.
He clarifies that he’s not talking about “the most prominent or impactful moves,” as he’s taking value and need into account, and for the Cowboys’ best move, he lists the signing of cornerback Cobie Durant to a one-year, $4 million deal.
Barnwell writes: “I’m enthused about quite a few of the moves the Cowboys made on defense this offseason, including the decision to move up one spot and draft safety Caleb Downs at No. 11. But when we consider the cost involved, there might not be a better move than signing Durant away from the Rams on a one-year deal for about as much as Dak Prescott makes per game. …
“Despite his modest deal, Durant should be a massive upgrade on what the Cowboys rolled out at CB last season.”
Terence Steele
So what did ESPN’s Bill Barnwell think was Dallas’ worst deal? Restructuring the deal of starting tackle Terence Steele.
Barnwell writes: ”While Steele was once a glowing example of Dallas’ ability to develop offensive linemen, the former undrafted free agent hasn’t been the same since suffering a multi-ligament knee injury at the end of the 2022 season. Steele is tough and hasn’t missed a game over the ensuing three seasons, but he has struggled badly with speedier, twitchier edge rushers like Bryce Huff and Jonathan Greenard over the past two years.
”The Cowboys could have cut Steele to avoid triggering his $13.3 million salary this offseason, but instead, they signed the incumbent tackle to a three-year, $33 million deal, paying the 28-year-old $13 million in cash this year in the process.“
Sources: The #Cardinals have received trade calls on Pro Bowl DE Josh Sweat.
Sweat had 12 sacks last season in his first year with Arizona and had a close relationship with Jonathan Gannon, whom the Cardinals moved on from. pic.twitter.com/ateZ6r4bi4
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) May 26, 2026
Josh Sweat
The Cowboys (and everyone else) could use another edge rusher, and Sports Illustrated’s Randy Gurzi threw out a name: Arizona Cardinal Josh Sweat. This is all apropos of NFL Insider Jordan Schultz (a well-connected source) saying the Cardinals are listening to offers for a player who made the Pro Bowl after a 12-sack season.
Just about anyone, including the Cardinals, would be better off with Sweat; he has been connected to many teams after Schultz’s report broke, and, of course, one of them is the Cowboys.
Gurzi writes: “Landing Sweat won’t be cheap, but the Cowboys should be willing to get aggressive. While he won’t net a first-round pick and more, the way Maxx Crosby would have, he’s still going to command a premium pick.
That means the Cowboys might need to be willing to send their 2026 second-round pick to the Cardinals for Sweat. If that seems like too much, they could offer a third and possibly Malik Hooker, which could help Arizona replace Jalen Thompson, who signed with Dallas this offseason.
To give an idea of how these things take off, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox came up with seven landing spots for Sweat, including the Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys.
Of the Cowboys, Knox writes: “With an offense that ranked second overall in 2025, they’re poised to make a run now, but their opportunities could be dwindling.
“Dak Prescott will turn 33 in July, and last year’s breakout star, receiver George Pickens, is set to play on the franchise tag. If Sweat becomes available, adding him would help Dallas get the most out of its 2026 campaign.”
Dallas Cowboys depth chart
To say a depth chart is fluid at this point in the offseason is an understatement, but at this point of the offseason, here is what Dallas is looking at as it gets ready for OTAs on June 1.
| Position | Starter | Backup | Third-String |
|---|
| QB | Dak Prescott | Joe Milton III | Sam Howell |
| RB | Javonte Williams | Malik Davis | Jaydon Blue / Phil Mafah |
| FB | Hunter Luepke | — | — |
| WR1 | CeeDee Lamb | Ryan Flournoy | KaVontae Turpin |
| WR2 | George Pickens | Jonathan Mingo | — |
| WR3 | Marquez Valdes-Scantling | Parris Campbell | Traeshon Holden |
| TE | Jake Ferguson | Luke Schoonmaker | Brevyn Spann-Ford |
| LT | Tyler Guyton | Nate Thomas | Shiyazh Pete |
| LG | Tyler Smith | T.J. Bass | Nick Leverett |
| C | Cooper Beebe | Matt Hennessy | — |
| RG | Tyler Booker | Trevor Keegan | — |
| RT | Terence Steele | Ajani Cornelius | Marcellus Johnson |
Defense
| Position | Starter | Backup | Third-String |
|---|---|---|---|
| NT | Kenny Clark | Jay Toia | Kelvin Gilliam Jr. |
| DT | Quinnen Williams | Adedayo Odeleye | — |
| DE | Otito Ogbonnia | Jonathan Bullard | — |
| LOLB / EDGE | Rashan Gary | James Houston | LT Overton |
| ROLB / EDGE | Donovan Ezeiruaku | Malachi Lawrence | Tyrus Wheat |
| ILB | DeMarvionOvershown | Justin Barron | Langston Patterson |
| ILB | Dee Winters | Jaishawn Barham | Shemar James |
| CB1 | DaRon Bland | Josh Butler | — |
| CB2 | Shavon Revel Jr. | Trikweze Bridges | — |
| CB3 (Slot) | Cobie Durant | Reddy Steward | Devin Moore |
| FS | Jalen Thompson | Alijah Clark | Malik Hooker |
| SS | Caleb Downs | Markquese Bell | P.J. Locke |
Special Teams
- Placekicker (K): Brandon Aubrey
- Punter (P): Bryan Anger
- Long Snapper (LS): Trent Sieg
- Kick/Punt Returner (KR/PR): KaVontae Turpin
Bret Bloomquist can be reached, bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Which offseason DB pick-up was Dallas Cowboys’ best?
