The Dallas Cowboys entered the 2026 NFL season with a revamped secondary headlined by Caleb Downs, the crown jewel of their offseason additions. With a seemingly credible defensive coordinator in Christian Parker, who specializes in working with defensive backs, hopes were high for this group.
But nothing has panned out as intended, in large part due to injuries.
This has been more true at safety than any other spot, as Malik Hooker's injury in Week 1 thrust P.J. Locke into a big role. And of course, in the next game, Locke went down with an injury and ended up on IR. Thankfully, though, the big veteran addition of Jalen Thompson would shore up the back end.
That was until he got injured in Week 3's game down in Rio de Janeiro. Thompson is expected to miss four to six weeks, which means that even if Hooker returns for the Cowboys' All-Texas Week 4 matchup against the Houston Texans, Dallas needs to make an addition at safety.
Stephen Jones even said so.
So, here are four that they should consider.
4 safeties that the Dallas Cowboys should consider as
1. Caleb Ransaw, Jacksonville Jaguars
Behind a good starting duo of Antonio Johnson and Eric Murray, Ransaw isn't seeing the field all too much. But he was a third-round pick just last year and looked great this preseason; he just hasn't had the breakout that Jacksonville has expected yet. He could still be of interest for Dallas, though.
Ransaw can play both safety spots and even slide into the nickel, and he's a good special-teamer, so he could contribute in a variety of ways. The Jags may not want to part with him so soon, but they have another good young safety in Rayuan Lane III, so they could be enticed by the right offer.
2. Cole Wisniewski, Philadelphia Eagles (Practice Squad)
Wisniewski was the glue that held the Texas Tech defense together last year, and he's just sitting on the Eagles' practice squad for the taking. Injuries have been an issue with him, but he's healthy now and played well in training camp and the preseason when he was available.
He is mainly a deep safety, but big and physical enough to come up in the box and help out as a run defender. Not to mention, Wisniewski will get his hands dirty and make tackles on special teams. He could help out right now and in the future. Taking from Philly is fun, too, so this could be a double win.
3. Donovan McMillon, Cleveland Browns
McMillon is in the same spot that Ransaw is in, stuck behind a handful of good safeties in Grant Delpit and Ronnie Hickman Jr. Cleveland also has rookie Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, so McMillon could easily be deemed expendable by the Browns. That's where the Cowboys come in.
Dallas could be intrigued by a young player who got a small amount of game experience last year and looked like he took a step this preseason. Plus, McMillon can play deep or in the box, and he has a big frame to take on blockers and be an active helper against the run. It shouldn't cost much to get him.
4. Donovan Wilson, Free Agent
Yep.
The pickings are just so slim at safety on the open market that the best feasible veteran available that I can see is Wilson. Although signing him would feel like a disappointing step backward, it may be the easiest thing, considering he already knows the building, Schottenheimer and some teammates well.
And while he is far from a good option, and he did not play his best football in Dallas last year, who did under Matt Eberflus? The Cowboys could do a lot worse, honestly, which is a bit frightening. But at least we know what we'd be getting with Wilson. Plus, he's not that far removed from decent play.
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