Ranking all 10 Dallas Cowboys free agent additions by their potential impact in 2025
During the opening of free agency period in the last decade, the Dallas Cowboys have gotten into a habit of remaining in the shadows while the initial wave of acquisitions occur around the league.
It was no different in 2024. Dallas made just two external signings in the entirety of free agency, with only one (linebacker Eric Kendricks) coming during the initial wave of signings.
But in 2025, the Cowboys made five times the moves that they did a year ago, as veteran depth pieces were added to both sides of the ball for a team that badly needs help filling out its roster with experienced players.
While there wasn’t a big splash signing (the team signed just one player to a deal worth over $5 million per season), the team added valuable training camp competition at worst, and a small handful of starters at best.
Here are all 10 external acquisitions so far this offseason ranked in the order of their potential impact in 2025.
1. DE Dante Fowler Jr.
Signed to a contract worth up to $8 million in incentives for the 2025 season, the Cowboys broke the bank to bring in Dante Fowler Jr. by their standards. It was the first contract worth more than $6 million per season since the team signed Greg Hardy in 2015.
For Fowler, his reunion in Dallas offers an immediate opportunity to crack the starting lineup opposite of Micah Parsons. With his ability to rush the passer, he will be a featured piece in the pass rush plan for defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. After notching 10.5 sacks in Washington last season, the excitement about his potential impact in 2025 should be high.
2. RB Javonte Williams
While Javonte Williams did not show in his final season in Denver that he is capable of being an every down running back, his ability to pass protect and get out of the backfield in the receiving game makes him a valuable piece in late down situations. His 52 receptions in 2024 were sixth among all running backs, and his ability to pick up blitzers to protect the quarterback adds extra protection up front on obvious passing downs.
The Cowboys will need to add another running back either in free agency or in the draft to complement Williams. But with the right piece ahead of him, Williams could have a big impact for Brian Schottenheimer’s offense.
3. LB Kenneth Murray Jr.
The Cowboys are young at the linebacker position, and until DeMarvion Overshown returns to full health, they’re a bit beat up as well. Adding experience and a captain presence like Kenneth Murray Jr. to the defense will prove to have a significant impact on how Eberflus’ system fares in year one.
Murray might lack the consistency on every down to be a Pro Bowl-caliber linebacker in the NFL, but his ability to communicate, tackle in open space and pick up pre-snap tendencies will make him a valuable piece, even if it is for a one-year rental.
4. DT Solomon Thomas
While signing Osa Odighizuwa to his contract extension was a major offseason win for Dallas, the defensive line still needed help in the interior with Linval Joseph and Carlos Watkins departing and Mazi Smith still trying to find his footing in the NFL. Adding a veteran like Solomon Thomas who has experience and success with defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton provides arguably the most reliable depth of any offseason addition.
Thomas won’t be a starter, and he may only see the field for under 50-percent of defensive snaps, but having a proven veteran in the middle that can stop the run and rush the passer will be a big asset for Eberflus in 2025.
5. LB Jack Sanborn
There’s a good chance that this ranking could be the one that ages poorly simply because of the leg up Jack Sanborn already has on the rest of the linebacker room in already knowing the Eberflus system from their time in Chicago together. While he is expected to mostly serve an impact on special teams, Sanborn is going to be a valuable piece to have at training camp while the rest of the defense catches up to speed on the new scheme.
Sanborn is an intelligent player who has the upside to be a long-term starter at linebacker if everything goes right in 2025. But until then, he will have to work his way through a depth chart at the position that includes Kenneth Murray Jr., Marist Liufau and DeMarvion Overshown when he returns from injury.
6. CB Kaiir Elam
While Kaiir Elam struggled mightily in Buffalo after being drafted in the first round in 2022, a change of scenery and an opportunity to start in week one has him in line to make an impact if he can capitalize. Don’t bank on Elam being the long-term solution at cornerback, but he will have an opportunity to be the bridge until Trevon Diggs can return to full health, whether that comes before or during the season.
Elam will need to at least compete for the starting cornerback spot on the outside opposite of DaRon Bland if Diggs cannot go for week one.
7. OG Robert Jones
Bringing in veterans on the offensive line is never a bad strategy, especially with a guy like Robert Jones who started 17 games last season with the Miami Dolphins. He will step in and provide experienced competition at the right guard spot for Brock Hoffman and T.J. Bass, but he would have to take a big step forward to prove that he’s the guy over Hoffman.
At the least, he’s a reliable swing guard that can step in if an injury arises in the interior throughout the season.
8. DE Payton Turner
When talking to sources with the Cowboys, there is excitement around the potential of 2021 first-round pick Payton Turner. While injury decimated his first three seasons in the league, his first full season of output in 2024 offered enough confidence for Dallas to give him a shot at being a key rotational piece at the edge spot in 2025.
His big frame and upside in the run game could be valuable on early downs, but he will have to prove that he can remain healthy for another season.
9. RB Miles Sanders
The running back room is thin with Miles Sanders being added to a group that just includes Javonte Williams, Deuce Vaughn and Malik Davis. There will almost certainly be a rookie added to the room, and Sanders will provide veteran competition in training camp to help elevate the players around him. Making it to the initial 53-man roster when that competition is all said and done will be the big question.
10. WR Parris Campbell
Similar to Sanders, Parris Campbell will be the veteran in the wide receiver room at training camp that will help elevate the competition of guys like Jalen Brooks and Ryan Flournoy. Of the 10 outside free agent signings, Campbell is the likeliest to not find his way onto the 53-man roster after training camp concludes.
This story was originally published March 26, 2025 at 9:01 AM.
