The Dallas Cowboys weak defense got a lot weaker after the Micah Parsons trade. What does the starting unit now look like? After a months-long standoff, Dallas traded their best player and are now left with a gaping hole in their defense.
Jerry Jones was trying to argue that this trade was about being able to stop the run at a higher level, but no matter how you slice it, this move doesn't make the Cowboys better in any way, shape, or form. Anyway, the offense is certainly going to be solid in the 2025 NFL Season, but how will the defense look?
With Micah Parsons now out of the picture, the Cowboys starting defense might struggle quite a bit. Let's take a look at the projected starting defense following the trade.
Dallas Cowboys projected starting defense heading into the 2025 NFL Season
Defensive End: Marshawn Kneeland, Dante Fowler, Jr
After a two-year stint in Dallas during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Dante Fowler, Jr played the 2024 NFL Season with the Washington Commanders, but he's back in Dallas for 2025. Fowler had 10.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss in 2024, and that pass rush could be a welcome addition without Micah Parsons in the picture. Marshawn Kneeland is a second-year player who now finds himself under a bit of pressure in 2025 to perform.
Defensive Tackle: Kenny Clark, Osa Odighizuwa
Did the Cowboys improve their defensive tackle room? While Kenny Clark wasn't all that productive in the 2024 NFL season, he is a steady presence and could pair well next to Osa Odighizuwa, who had 23 QB hits in 2024 and who has not missed a start over the last three seasons.
Linebackers: Jack Sanborn, Kenneth Murray, Jr, Marist Liufau
Jack Sanborn and Kenneth Murray, Jr are new additions to the Cowboys linebacker room, but second-year player Marist Liufau has shown a lot this offseason and is projected to start for Dallas, Damone Clark and DeMarvion Overshown are the other two players of note in this room, and given what appears to be a high level of fluidity here, both could work their way into the starting lineups at some point in 2025
Cornerbacks: DaRon Bland, Trevon Diggs
Health is the main concern with the CB room, but when healthy, this is a top-10 unit for sure. A healthy duo of DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs is going to be a massive boost for the defense, as if they can maintain a strong coverage presence, the pass rush will have enough time to get home, even without Micah Parsons in the picture.
Safeties: Donovan Wilson, Malik Hooker
Donovan Wilson and Malik Hooker are one of the more steady safety duos in the NFL, so all in all, the secondary is in good shape. In 2024, Hooker started all 17 games and had two interceptions, five passes defended, and 81 total tackles.