Breaking news: the Dallas Cowboys' 2026 season kick off on Sunday night. The stakes are high for many, but perhaps few have more on the line than the team's impending free agents. For over 20 players, the campaign to improve their market for March of 2027 starts now.
I know what some of you are thinking. "2027? Can we play one game this season? Jeez!"
While most fans may want to focus on the week at hand, and the players should be too, there's no getting around the reality of the football business.
A guy like Cobie Durant, playing on just a one-year deal, has a lot more to worry about than the recently-restructured DaRon Bland. What happens over the next several months, starting this Sunday, can affect some of these players for many years to come.
Who are the Cowboys 2027 free agents? And how much opportunity will they have to change their fortunes, for good or bad?
An early look at the Cowboys' 2027 free agents
Quarterback
Sam Howell
Turning 26 next week, and with a year of starting experience from 2023 in Washington, Howell may still have hopes of another first-team gig one day.
But at the very least, he would love to show enough this year to entice the Cowboys, or some other team, to make him a high-priced backup. Jameis Winston is now getting nearly $7 million per year as the clear QB2 in New York, so that's a nice market-setter for Howell.
But unless Dak Prescott gets hurt, Howell won't get a chance to make his case this year. If Prescott's pattern for medical issues continues, coming off a healthy season last year, then he's likely to miss some games in 2026. But if Dak stays on the field, and keeps Howell off of it, then Howell may not garner much interest next spring.
Running Back
Malik Davis (RFA)
Emari Demercado
Unlike Howell, Davis and Demercado will definitely both get touches this season. Even though he just arrived, Demercado could quickly cut into Davis' backup role and perhaps be RB2 by the end of the season. If he's able to shine in Dallas' high-volume offense, then Demercado could be an attractive free agent to teams looking for a budget-friendly, but high-potential, ball carrier.
It's hard to believe that Davis would still be a restricted free agent after all this time, but he just hasn't played enough since 2022 to get the accrued seasons. If he builds on last year, Davis could command an RFA tender to be retained. But if Demercado leapfrogs him on the depth chart, Dallas might finally let Davis walk.
Wide Receiver
George Pickens
Jonathan Mingo
These two are at very different career points: Pickens broke out last year as a franchise WR, while Mingo just wants to stay in the league. Barring injury, each has a clear role wth the Cowboys this year.
Pickens is the huge variable going forward. Dallas says they're committed to keeping him long-term, but will Pickens agree to their terms? And if Ryan Flournoy has another strong season, will Dallas feel like they have a good enough WR2 to allow Pickens to walk? In a way, despite not being a free agent himself, Flournoy's 2026 could do as much to decide Pickens' future as George's own performance.
Tight End
Luke Schoonmaker
News broke Thursday that Brevyn Spann-Ford, who was set to be an RFA in 2027, got a three-year contract extension. It just further cements his TE2 status this year and going forward.
As for Schoonmaker, he's hoping to at least show enough that another team might consider him for their own backup role. Maybe someone remembers him fondly from the 2023 draft class, but anyone would be forgiven if they've forgotten him after three quiet seasons. Schoonmaker has one last shot in the final year of his rookie deal to make some noise.
Offensive Line
Broderick Jones
T.J. Bass
Matt Hennessy
Nick Leverett
Jones isn't really impacted by the other OL free agents. His future hangs on how well he does competing with Terence Steele for the right tackle job, or if something happens that pulls him into duty on the left side. Even if we don't get to see him in the regular season, Dallas may still give him a minimal one-year deal next year just to continue their evaluation.
With Tyler Smith's injury, Bass is already looking at a major opportunity to improve his free-agent prospects. This also benefited Nick Leverett, who just got signed to the active roster from the practice squad. If Leverett gets some time in real games, maybe he'llshow enough that Dallas might feel better about letting Bass sign elsewhere.
Hennessy isn't going to get any looks this year after a season-ending injury last June. As he wasn't in camp, it's hard to say where he stood or if he'd have even made the roster. But Dallas may be in the market for a backup center again next spring, so maybe he'll get another chance here.
Defensive Line
Otito Ogbonnia
Jonathan Bullard
Ogbonnia could do wonders for his market, playing along with Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark. He should see less blockers as Williams demands attention, which means more playmaking opportunities. Dallas could move on from Clark next year if age is taking a toll, and that money could be reallocated to keeping Ogbonnia after a strong season.
Like Clark, Bullard is also in trouble of aging out this year. He needs a strong season to fight off rookie L.T. Overton, who projects to play a similar role. But after missing the entire preseason and camp,. Bullard's already off to a rough start.
Outside Linebacker
Von Miller
James Houston
Tyrus Wheat
This 2026 run with Dallas feels like a bit of a retirement tour for Miller, and a chance to fulfill a boyhood dream with the Cowboys. Maybe a big year motivates him to come back for more in 2027, but that will be hard to predict for a 38-year-old with 15 seasons.
Conversely, Houston and Wheat are hoping to build their NFL futures. Given Miller's likely retirement, a spot in the pass-rushing rotation could be open for one of them going forward. Dallas may want to let Malachi Lawrence and Donovan Ezeiruaku grow a bit before spending more heavy resources at OLB, which could help these role players stick around.
Off-Ball Linebacker
DeMarvion Overshown
Dee Winters
Both veterans were already facing challenges in their contract years: Overshown to stay healthy, and Winters to contribute in a new defense. Now they also have to deal with ascending rookie Jaishawn Barham, whom many want to see starting and perhaps taking over as Dallas' Mike linebacker.
If Barham keeps shining in the regular season, Overshown and Winters may be fighting for the same roster spot going forward. Both could still be re-signed next year, but for one it might be in a backup role. They have tons of money on the line this year as they hope to not only preserve starting jobs but merge as difference-makers in Dallas.
Cornerback
Cobie Durant
Here on just a one-year deal for now, how easily can Durant earn another one? He won't lack for playing time, rotating with DaRon Bland, Shavon Revel, and Caleb Downs in various looks. Even if Bland and Revel both have outstanding years, Durant could still stick around as CB3 is basically a starting job these days.
But if Revel and Downs have great years, and Dallas obligated to Bland for at least another few years after a recent contract restructure, Durant could squeezed out depending on his contract demands. In a sad-but-true conundrum, the better he plays, Durant is more likely to to be playing for a different team in 2027.
Safety
Malik Hooker
P.J. Locke
Alijah Clark (ERFA)
Hooker feels like a veteran bridge for newcomers like Downs, Locke, and Jalen Thompson in Dallas' defensive backfield. It's hard to see him geeting a new contract at 31 years old next spring, especially with reduced playing time this year.
Locke and Clark could be beneficiaries of that. It's easy to imagine Thompson and Locke as starters next year, or Locke at least rotating in heavily depending on where Downs is deployed. But Locke will need to make the most of this year if he wants further consideration.
As for Clark, as an exclusive rights free agent, it would take a disastrous season for him not to get a minimal one-year deal to return.
Special Teams
Bryan Anger
Turning 38 in October and having played since 2012, Anger could be ready to hang 'em up at any point. But he hasn't shown any real signs of decline, so another deal could easily be coming if Anger remains at least an average NFL punter.
Remember, he's also the holder on Brandon Aubrey's field goals and extra points. So beyond just his punting, Anger has value as part of the Butter-making machine.
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