The Dallas Cowboys' needs heading into the offseason were quite obvious, as this team saw an elite offense go to waste in 2025 thanks to a bottom-feeding defense. The first major move was replacing former defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus with Christian Parker.
Parker is from the Vic Fangio tree, so that should already yield immediate results. In many instances, a coaching change is sometimes all a team needs. However, the Cowboys' unit did need some notable help, and with the main wave of free agency over, the team can now prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft.
With two first-round picks, Jerry Jones and the rest of the front office can truly enact some more notable change on defense. All of a sudden, we could be looking at Dallas as one of the more complete teams in the NFC and ready to compete for a division title in 2026. Let's look at the team's projected starting defense at the moment.
Dallas Cowboys' projected starting defense following active free agency
Parker's base defense in Dallas will be a 3-4, which means the team will likely begin each game with three defensive linemen playing with their hand in the dirt, two outside linebackers, two inside linebackers, and four defensive backs. However, many defense are always in different defensive looks, but for now, we'll look at the base 3-4 starting defense.
Interior Defensive Line: Quinnen Williams, Otito Ogbonnia, Kenny Clark
With Osa Odighizuwa now on the San Francisco 49ers, the Cowboys defensive line might look a bit like this. Otito Ogbonnia was a recent signing and is a 6-4, 320 pound nose tackle who started all 17 games for the Los Angeles Chargers back in 2024.
Both Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams are newer additions for the Cowboys. Clark played in all 17 games for Dallas in 2025, finishing with three sacks, six tackles for loss, and nine quarterback hits. Those were his best numbers since 2023, his second-to-last year with the Green Bay Packers.
Williams was a mid-season addition and ended up playing in seven games for Dallas, finishing with 1.5 sacks, three tackles for loss, and nine quarterback hits. The defensive line has really seen a ton of shifting, and given that the team has two first-round picks, there could be more to come.
Outside Linebackers: Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku
Rashan Gary recently came over in a trade with the Packers, and Donovan Ezeiruaku was a rookie in 2025. Dallas, broadly, needs to find another pass-rushing threat, to adding to the EDGE group in the NFL Draft would be a wise idea.
Gary finished 2025 with 7.5 sacks, which is the second year in a row he's hit that number. He really slowed down near the end of the season, but he did finish with 20 quarterback hits, so his presence is going to be felt. Ezeiruaku was a second-round pick last year and did appear in all 17 games, starting nine of them and amassing two sacks and 12 quarterback hits.
Ezeiruaku isn't yet 23 years old, and based on his rookie season, would logically be on pace to cement himself as a starter and have a break out season in 2026.
Inside Linebackers: DeMarvion Overshown, Shemar James
DeMarvion Overshown got back on the field for six games last year after a major injury near the end of 2024. He's got all the talent in the world and is ideally someone the Cowboys can rely on for most of the 2026 season.
Shemar James racked up 91 total tackles in 14 games as a rookie in 2025. He's still not yet 22 years old and could have a high ceiling. Dallas may look to bolster the linebacker group in the draft, as it's a deep class, but Overshown and James being the starters in 2026 would not be a shock.
Secondary: Cobie Durant, Jalen Thompson, Malik Hooker, DaRon Bland
The secondary has seen a bit of change, and it would not be a shock if the starters looked a bit different in 2026. Jalen Thompson was a big-time signing from the Arizona Cardinals and is going to be a steady presence on the backend.
Cobie Durant came over from the Los Angeles Rams and has started 29 games the past two seasons. He's a reliable player who should be penciled in as a starter for the time being. Malik Hooker and DaRon Bland would be the incumbents, but both might be on shaky ground.
Hooker played in just 12 games last year, is in the final year of his contract, and allowed a 155.8 passer rating in coverage last year, according to PFF's data. The Cowboys might look to further bolster the safety room, even after signing both Thompson and PJ Locke III.
Bland suited up for 12 games last year and finished with one interception, six passes defended, and 73 tackles. He's been dealing with a foot injury, but recently signed a massive four-year extension, so he's ideally back to himself when 2026 begins.
While Dallas is set at defensive tackle, their linebacker room inspires zero confidence, and they need another starting-caliber player at edge and cornerback. Relying solely on the NFL Draft to fill those holes would be a mistake.