The Dallas Cowboys' pursuit of Maxx Crosby did not end how they hoped, but they have nothing to hang their head about, as the standout pass rusher was traded to the Baltimore Ravens for two first-round picks.
ESPN insider Adam Schefter confirmed that Dallas was in it until the end, willing to offer as much as a first- and second-round pick. It was over once the Ravens offered two firsts, and the Cowboys were wise not to match it.
If nothing else, Dallas' interest indicates they'll be aggressive in free agency. An edge rusher is clearly at the top of the shopping list, and there are some no-brainer names to pursue once the legal tampering period begins on Monday.
3 edge rushers the Dallas Cowboys must pursue after missing out on Maxx Crosby
Trey Hendrickson
Hendrickson is arguably the top free agent in the 2026 class. Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum has a strong argument, but positional value gives the edge to Hendrickson, who could command as much as $30 million per year on the open market.
Injuries limited Hendrickson to just seven games in 2025, but he posted 17.5 sacks in each of the previous two seasons. That included tying Myles Garrett for the most pressures of any edge (83) in 2024 and ranking sixth with a 20.8 percent pass-rush win rate in 2023, per PFF.
While Hendrickson will be expensive, and he turns 32 in December, his resume speaks for itself, and he'll undoubtedly be energized to finally leave Cincinnati.
Odafe Oweh
If the Cowboys don't want to throw money at an aging player coming off an injury-riddled season, why not invest in an ascending player who is just entering his prime?
Oweh exploded onto the scene after being traded from the Ravens to the Chargers last season, tallying 7.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss, 35 pressures, and a 16.1 percent pass-rush win rate that ranked 11th among edge defenders post-trade.
The former Penn State star could cost around $20 million per year, but that’d be a worthwhile investment for the Cowboys. Pairing Oweh with Donovan Ezeiruaku for the foreseeable future would suddenly give Dallas a very exciting pass rush.
Jaelan Phillips
Phillips is a full year younger than Oweh despite them both being drafted in 2021. However, Phillips has injury concerns dating back to his college career. That included playing a combined 12 games in 2023 and 2024.
Having said that, he's an awesome player when he's on the field. He transformed the Eagles' pass rush after coming over from Miami at the trade deadline, amassing a whopping 44 pressures in the final seven games to give him 73 for the season -- ninth among all edges, per PFF.
Phillips is familiar with Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker from their time in Philadelphia, which should make for a seamless transition. The injury factor is real, but as far as pure pass-rush ability, Dallas would be hard-pressed to do better than Phillips.