If there's been one consistent observation throughout the Dallas Cowboys' 2026 offseason, it's a perceived shift in how the front office is doing business.
Perhaps no single position better illustrates that than at safety, where Dallas' sudden effort towards top-to-bottom improvement breaks trends that go back decades.
Between free agency and the draft, the Cowboys have prioritized safeties in 2026
It started with Jalen Thompson, signed immediately in free agency to a three-year, $33 million contract. The former Cardinal got the biggest deal of any external free agent since cornerback Brandon Carr in 2012.
That alone was a big sign for front office change, but especially that it was safety, of all positions, which broke the streak.
But even with Malik Hooker and Markquese Bell still under contract, Dallas didn't stop there. The next day, they also signed P.J. Locke, a veteran from Denver, to a one-year, $5 million deal. His contract, coupled with his experience playing for Christian Parker, indicated he would likely play an important part in Dallas' new defensive coordinator's plans.
Then came the 2026 NFL Draft.
When blue-chipper Caleb Downs slid into Dallas' range, they gave up two fifth-round picks to move up from 12th to 11th and grab him. After already seemingly filling out the safety room with Thompson and Locke, the Cowboys thought highly enough of Downs' potential and the role he could play to make the move.
Granted, it sounds like Downs will be playing more as a slot defender than a true safety this year. But that was also the scouting report on Locke when he was signed.
And consider who the Cowboys might have had if they had just stayed at the 12th pick: OLB Rueben Bain or one of the top OTs like Kadyn Proctor or Monroe Freeling. We couldn't find a use for one of them right now?
Clearly, the Cowboys attacked the position hard this offseason. And if you look back during Jerry Jones' ownership of the team, it may be the most aggressive they've ever been with safeties.
The Cowboys haven't invested much in safeties for 30 years
For decades, the Cowboys have treated safety as one of the lowest priorities on the roster. They've been content to fill it, even starting roles, with bargain-bin free agents and Day 3 draft picks.
Even when there have been decent results, such as with the trio of Malik Hooker, Jayron Kearse, and Donovan Wilson from 2021-2022, the strategy hasn't produced more than average, adequate play compared to the NFL's upper echelon.
There's a reason that Dallas hasn't had a safety selected to the Pro Bowl since Ken Hamlin and Roy Williams both went in 2007. And Williams was just an injury alternate that year.
Indeed, Williams' arrival in 2002 (No. 8 overall pick) was the last time they spent a first-round pick on a true safety. While 2015 first-rounder Byron Jones did play some safety as a rookie, he was a versatile DB who competed at cornerback during his first training camp. He eventually moved to full-time CB in 2018, when he also made his first Pro Bowl.
Even Hamlin, Dallas' last original-ballot Pro Bowler at safety, didn't join the team with any big contract or trade. After a major head injury the year before, Hamlin became a free agent and sat on the open market for a couple of week. The Cowboys took a flyer on him with a one-year, $2.5 million contract. It was a great return on minimal investment.
Since then, outside of Byron Jones, probably the biggest move Dallas has made at safety was using a third-round pick on J.J. Wilcox in 2013. But beyond that, most of the guys who have come through and played significant roles have either been Day 3 picks, undrafted rookies, or free agents with no real market.
This is no slap to the likes of Hooker, Kearse, Wilson, Damontae Kazee, Barry Church, Jeff Heath, Keith Davis, Gerald Sensabaugh, and others who've logged time as safeties here for almost 20 years. Many of them were overachievers, accomplishing more in Dallas than their draft status or free agent market suggested.
Again, it's the level of investment that's shifted. Arguably, the Cowboys have gotten more than they paid for with many of their safeties, but that's also put a cap on their maximum potential.
Caleb Downs, Jalen Thompson, and P.J. Locke could be a special trio
The potential for our 2026 additions at safety is tremendous. It was already exciting to think of Thompson and Locke as versatile chess pieces for Christian Parker, but Downs takes it to another level. It will give the Cowboys options, and hopefully excellence, like we haven't seen since the days of Darren Woodson.
Over the last 10 years, we've seen how the Cowboys' willingness to spend often yields results on the offensive line. The current core of Tyler Smith, Tyler Booker, and Cooper Beebe was built on high draft picks, and we hope Tyler Guyton does his part this year.
We saw it when three first-round picks gave us Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick, and Zack Martin. Sure, the busts can and will happen. But more often than not, when Dallas puts in the money or the picks, they get what they want.
If Jalen Thompson and Caleb Downs perform as expected, it will elevate the safety position to new heights for the modern-era Cowboys. The front office was clearly willing to change its strategy this offseason. Hopefully, the players reward them for it.
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