Free agency is in full swing, and for the second year in a row, the Dallas Cowboys are being active compared to their history. While they have not made any huge splashes in free agency, the front office has addressed needs. That is especially true on defense as the team is already starting to get a new look.
For a defense that was one of the worst in 2025, there is nowhere to go but up. These three new additions might be surprisingly good for this unit next season.
3 new Dallas Cowboys additions who might be surprisingly good in 2026
1. Cobie Durant, CB
With Trevon Diggs gone and DaRon Bland coming off another injury, the Cowboys needed to find a starting corner with a solid resume. Cobie Durant brings experience and a ball hawk attitude to a defense that struggled to get turnovers last season.
What might have sold Christian Parker the most on Durant was his performance in last season's playoffs. In the Divisional Round against the Chicago Bears, Durant had two interceptions to help propel the Rams to a 20-17 road win in overtime.
Bringing in Durant gives this cornerback room some flexibility. The Cowboys could not make up for the loss of Jourdan Lewis last year in the slot.
Now with Durant, he can line up outside and potentially allow Bland to play in the slot, where he has looked more comfortable in the past. Durant alone does not solve all the problems at corner, but he is an instant starter who could surprise everyone.
2. P.J. Locke, SAF
P.J. Locke comes over to Dallas fresh off a playoff run with Denver. While his role was more reserved last season, Christian Parker will be looking at him as a possible starter. Jalen Thompson is guaranteed to start at one of the safety spots, but the other could be up for grabs if vet Malik Hooker shows his age in training camp.
What stands out most about Locke is his versatility. Broncos head coach Sean Payton even praised that trait after he left Denver. Dallas' safeties struggled mightily in coverage last season, especially on deep passes, so bringing in Locke should help in that area.
The Cowboys will still likely be looking to draft a safety. Fortunately, adding Locke at least helps with depth and having a fringe starter. If he gets a chance to start and can match his level of production from 2024, he might just surprise Cowboy fans.
3. Otito Ogbonnia, DT
With the team trading Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas, Otito Ogbonnia has become a projected key player on a defensive line that will utilize multiple defensive tackles. The room still has proven veterans in Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark, but the expectations for Ogbonnia have gone up slightly.
Ogbonnia spent his first four seasons with the Chargers and became a starter in 2024. While his stats from that season don’t jump off the page, he played an important role at nose tackle on a unit that finished in the top ten in run defense. For a Cowboys team that has struggled to stop the run in recent years, Ogbonnia could provide a big boost.
At 6-foot-4 and 320 pounds, Ogbonnia has the size and ability to be that classic plug-up-the-middle presence. The Cowboys drafted Jay Toia (6-2, 342) last offseason to address their need at that spot, but got little production from him. Ogbonnia could become an important piece for this defensive line, given his experience.