Here is the Dallas Cowboys’ starting defense after the NFL draft
The dust has officially settled from the NFL draft, as the Dallas Cowboys have put in the bulk of their offseason work on reconstructing a porous defense from 2025 that ranked 30th in yards allowed and last in points allowed.
In free agency, the team added key pieces for a foundation of how to reconstruct the personnel on that side of the ball under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker. It began with signing safety Jalen Thompson to what could end up being a record outside free agent contract for him if he meets all incentives throughout the three-year duration of the deal.
The team also traded for outside linebacker Rashan Gary to put him up front for a pass rush unit that generated the 22nd most sacks in the NFL last season.
It allowed the Cowboys to enter the draft cycle focused on a select few of defensive positions, such as inside linebacker, nickel corner and outside linebacker. In the draft’s first two days, the Cowboys added Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs, UCF defensive end/outside linebacker Malachi Lawrence in the first round, traded for veteran inside linebacker Dee Winters and drafted Michigan linebacker Jaishawn Barham.
Following an offseason of moves culminating with this past weekend’s draft, here is the projected starting defense with the depth chart filled out going into the rest of the offseason (starters in bold, rookies in italics):
- OLB: Rashan Gary, Malachi Lawrence, Sam Williams, Tyrus Wheat
- DT: Quinnen Williams, Jonathan Bullard, D.J. Withers
- NT: Kenny Clark, Jay Toia, Kelvin Gilliam Jr., Tommy Dunn Jr.
- DE: Otito Ogbonnia, LT Overton, Adedayo Odeleye
- OLB: Donovan Ezeiruaku, James Houston, Marist Liafau, Isaiah Land
- ILB (WILL): DeMarvion Overshown, Jaishawn-Barham, Shemar James
- ILB (MIKE): Dee Winters, Justin Barron, Curtis Robinson, Langston Patterson
- CB: DaRon Bland, Devin Moore, Caelen Carson, Josh Butler
- CB: Shavon Revel Jr., Cobie Durant, Derion Kendrick, Trikweze Bridges
- NCB (when in nickel): Caleb Downs, Reddy Steward, Zion Childress, Corey Ballentine
- SS: Jalen Thompson, PJ. Locke, Julius Wood
- FS: Malik Hooker, Markquese Bell, Alijah Clark
