Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) runs through the end zone after catching a long pass for a second quarter touchdown against Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, December 21, 2025.
Tom Fox/Staff Photographer
The Cowboys enter the heart of their offseason program with OTAs next week at The Star. The talent acquired this offseason is an upgrade compared to last year, maybe even the last two years.
We look at 10 players who need to have a good offseason going into training camp in late July. Some of these players were acquired in this year’s draft or free agency, but others were on the team in 2025 and are in need of producing a positive offseason.
1. George Pickens
This is easy, right? Pickens has signed his franchise tag, guaranteeing him $27.2 million for the 2026 season. Everyone should be happy. Well, there have been no signs that Pickens has attended any of the voluntary offseason workouts. The Cowboys have an OTA on June 2 before the mandatory minicamp on June 16-18. Pickens is expected to attend the mandatory session. If not, he’s subject to fines. If Pickens isn’t here for the mandatory minicamp, that tells you everything about what he wants. At this stage, Pickens is working out with Dak Prescott away from The Star. The contract fight between Pickens and the front office hasn’t happened yet. Maybe it won’t because Pickens will play under the tag and go into 2026 trying to prove he’s worthy of a long-term deal, not so much from the Cowboys, but any other team should he hit free agency.
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2. Dee Winters
The Cowboys traded a fifth-round pick to the 49ers for the TCU product to play middle linebacker. After the Cowboys’ failures acquiring or drafting a true middle linebacker, on the surface it seems the team is going to have a competition for the starting role at that spot. Winters played off-ball linebacker in San Francisco where he learned from middle linebacker Fred Warner, which is considered a benefit. How Winters morphs into middle linebacker during the offseason could set the stage for training camp and whether he’s listed as No. 1 on the depth chart.
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Demarvion Overshown (0) brings down Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/Staff Photographer
3. DeMarvion Overshown
The off-the-ball linebacker is looking for a strong 2026 season after enduring health issues the previous two. When healthy, Overshown is one of the best players on the field. The only thing stopping him is the surgeries to his knees. This is a contract year for Overshown and he’s expressed excitement at his role in the new defensive scheme.
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4. Tyler Guyton
He’s the projected starting left tackle, but Guyton enters Year 3 in a must-develop/stay-healthy mode. The Cowboys like his potential and he’s made strides from playing mainly right tackle in college to left tackle in the pros. It’s not for everybody and the Cowboys are trying to find out if Guyton is the future at the position. If Guyton develops into the player the Cowboys project, then Tyler Smith can remain at guard. And the team can hold off on making a potential change.
5. Nate Thomas
That potential change would be moving Nate Thomas to left tackle. Last summer when Guyton suffered a knee injury, Thomas was given the opportunity to take over. It was met with mixed results and Guyton recovered in time to start the 2025 season opener. Thomas, a 2024 seventh-round pick, is a viable option at left tackle should the Cowboys think Guyton isn’t able to do the job. Guyton is the favorite for the gig, but the Cowboys have other options.
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Daron Bland (26) returns an interception 68-yard for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL game against the Washington Commanders, on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
Shafkat Anowar/Staff Photographer
6. DaRon Bland
It seems like 100 years ago when Bland emerged with a nine interception, five pick-six 2023 season. Over the next two seasons, Bland has endured foot injuries, limiting him to just 19 games out of 34 projected starts. He had another surgery on his foot, ending his 2025 season after 12 games. He’s now healthy and the Cowboys are counting on him to emerge as the lead corner. Bland needs to get through the offseason healthy, but the free agent signing of Cobie Durant gives the franchise some insurance.
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7. Donovan Ezeiruaku
Ezeiruaku enters Year 2 moving to a new position, outside linebacker, and recovering from hip surgery. The Cowboys were impressed with Ezeiruaku’s run defense, but now want to see some of that pass rush ability he was noted for when he was drafted from Boston College in the second round in 2025. The Cowboys are asking a lot of their rush ends, not so much to get sacks, but to create problems for quarterbacks, something that didn’t happen enough in 2025.
8. Shavon Revel
Last summer, Revel was rehabbing from a torn ACL, suffered a setback in training camp and eventually got on the field. It was a redshirt year for him. There’s no reason to give up on Revel because he’s got the length (6-foot-1) the team seeks at cornerback. Revel hopes to start at cornerback, a position with 11 players on the 90-man roster. The team also hosted nine-year vet Adoree’ Jackson on a free agent visit. Jackson enjoyed his visit to The Star, but so far no contract.
Newly drafted Dallas Cowboys safety Caleb Downs of Ohio State warms up during rookie minicamp at the Star in Frisco, on Friday, May 1, 2026.
Shafkat Anowar/The Dallas Morning News
9. Caleb Downs
The first-round pick is the best safety from the 2026 NFL draft. He’s going to be asked to use his communication skills along with his playmaking abilities to improve this defense. Downs played with so much confidence in college and the Cowboys are looking for that in the NFL. Downs was in constant discussions with defensive coordinator Christian Parker during rookie minicamp and that will continue throughout the offseason.
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10. Luke Schoonmaker
Schoonmaker won’t have more catches than Jake Ferguson, the starter at tight end, but the production for a second-round pick should be more. He’s caught 49 passes in three NFL seasons. Undrafted free agent Brevyn Spann-Ford is a rising talent. Also, the Cowboys like the potential of rookies DJ Rogers and Michael Trigg. Schoonmaker has gotten better each year, but is it enough to hold off Spann-Ford to overtake the No. 2 spot?