Dallas Cowboys add 2 former first-round picks in free agency, but they’ll need more talent
The Dallas Cowboys are not typically a team that shows activity in the early days of free agency, but executive vice president Stephen Jones’ “selectively aggressive” approach to acquiring players this offseason began a bit earlier than anticipated this week.
While the Cowboys haven’t landed any splash names, they have made three outside additions in the first 48 hours of free agency, which is more than the team added through the first four months of free agency last season.
On Monday afternoon, it began with adding former Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams before a late night add of former Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Robert Jones.
On Tuesday, Dallas added former New York Jets defensive tackle Solomon Thomas on a two-year deal and former New Orleans Saints defensive end Payton Turner on a one-year deal, both former first-round picks in 2017 and 2021, respectively.
While adding outside talent is definitely necessary for a team with many holes entering the offseason, these additions are seen more as depth additions rather than starting caliber additions. Williams most likely factors in as the backup running back to whoever Dallas drafts in April at the position. Jones will serve as competition against guys like Brock Hoffman and T.J. Bass. Thomas will be a rotational interior defensive line body that will play behind Osa Odighizuwa and Mazi Smith, while Turner will be a rotational pass rusher that can provide a big frame off the edge at 6-foot-5, 270 pounds.
Depth is needed, especially after a 2024 season that saw the lack of depth get exposed when injuries mounted on both sides of the ball. But for the Cowboys to compete in 2025, it will take adding starters from the open market that can make an immediate impact.
Positions of need include cornerback, linebacker, wide receiver and defensive end as the early days of the new league year dawn. At cornerback, a major problem could be fixed with a veteran addition such as Asante Samuel Jr. or Rasul Douglas well before the team gets to the first round of the draft where it may become necessary to force a pick at the position. Big names at receiver are still available such as Stefon Diggs, Mike Williams and Keenan Allen. Cooper Kupp is also expected to hit free agency on Wednesday.
Dallas also remained active in keeping their homegrown talent in the building on Tuesday, as they agreed to a three-year, $18 million deal with receiver and return specialist KaVontae Turpin. He is the eighth in-house free agent that they have kept in Dallas this offseason, but 13 still remain on the open market.
Attention has turned to veteran defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, who still remains a free agent as of Tuesday afternoon. If a market doesn’t materialize for the 33-year-old, could a return to Dallas make more sense?
Quarterback Trey Lance, wide receiver Brandin Cooks, defensive tackle Linval Joseph and running back Rico Dowdle are all not expected to return to Dallas unless there are some drastic changes. That leaves linebacker Eric Kendricks, punter Bryan Anger, quarterback Cooper Rush, cornerback Israel Mukuamu, cornerback Amani Oruwariye and defensive end Carl Lawson as available in-house bodies that could provide even more depth and competition to thin position groups.
Making moves on a few of those names along with some of the aforementioned proven veteran pieces at receiver and cornerback might just rewrite the narrative that the Dallas front office has built for years about its approach to free agency: nonexistent players to actually being selectively aggressive.
This story was originally published March 11, 2025 at 4:05 PM.
