The Dallas Cowboys aren't as far away from being a top NFC team as you might think. Sure, the Cowboys were a losing football team and missed the playoffs in 2025, but the areas for improvement could not be more obvious.
Most importantly, though, not only does Dallas still have a top-tier quarterback in Dak Prescott, but first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer really settled in nicely and appears to be someone who the players adore and want to play for.
But unless this team gets significantly better on the defensive side of the ball, nothing really matters, as the Cowboys will again be on the outside looking in when 2026 rolls around.
Approaching a crucial free agency period, we've drummed up a 'mock' free agency haul that would thrust Dallas near the top of the NFC.
Dallas Cowboys mock free agency haul approaching the real thing
Nakobe Dean, LB
The Cowboys appear poised to lean on defensive coordinator Christian Parker's vast connections around the league, which is a great idea. One of the most obvious names here is Nakobe Dean, the talented linebacker who has been with the Philadelphia Eagles.
The main risk here with Dean is not his ability at the position, but rather the injury history. He's played just one full season in his career and only managed to suit up for a total of 30 regular season games out of a possible 51 the past three seasons.
Breaking out in 2024, Dean racked up three sacks and 128 total tackles. With Dallas fielding one of the worst linebacker rooms in the league, signing Dean is a risk worth taking.
Jamel Dean, CB
For a while there, the Cowboys had an uber-talented secondary on paper, but that was the main issue, as paper isn't on the field. Between players not being able to stay healthy and overall underperformance from the entire unit, the team needs to address the secondary in free agency.
Jamel Dean is one of the top defensive free agents on the market and is excellent in coverage. Dean has 61 career passes defended, and, according to PFF's data, allowed a stellar 46.9 passer rating in coverage in 2025, while grading out as the third-highest cornerback among 114 qualified players.
Parker is a 'disciple' of the Vic Fangio defensive free, and Fangio defenses must have cornerbacks who can excel in man coverage. Dean can do that, period.
PJ Locke III, SAF
PJ Locke III and Parker both spent time with the Denver Broncos, so Locke is another possible free agent target with a connection. Locke is a fringe-starter but does have the ability to play in the box and bring the boom from time to time.
Back in 2023, Locke broke out a bit and had one interception, five passes defended, three sacks, and 53 total tackles in just 12 games. He followed that up with 74 total tackles in 2024. Locke then took a backseat in 2025, as the Broncos signed Talanoa Hufanga in free agency.
However, Locke would be a high-end backup and not cost a ton, and that could line up with the Cowboys' likely spending tendencies this offseason.
Dre'Mont Jones, DE
Lastly, signing Dre'Mont Jones would make some sense. Jones is a rock-solid player who has experience as a 3-4 defensive end and outside linebacker. Between the Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens in 2025, Jones actually played in 18 regular-season games. He and Parker also once overlapped with the Broncos.
The former third-round pick finished with a career-best seven sacks and 24 quarterback hits last season, adding seven tackles for loss and 43 total tackles. Across his seven-year career, Jones averages 5.9 sacks, seven tackles for loss, and 14 quarterback hits over a 17-game season.
Jones isn't going to make the main headlines, but he's a quality player who could fit into Dallas' financial and schematic plans.