{"id":195058,"date":"2026-03-07T20:30:18","date_gmt":"2026-03-07T20:30:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/195058\/"},"modified":"2026-03-07T20:30:18","modified_gmt":"2026-03-07T20:30:18","slug":"a-10-step-blueprint-for-the-dallas-cowboys-to-win-the-nfl-offseason","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/195058\/","title":{"rendered":"A 10-step blueprint for the Dallas Cowboys to win the NFL offseason"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you want some insight into how the Cowboys<\/a> are thinking heading into free agency Monday, consider the trade they didn\u2019t make this weekend. <\/p>\n

The Cowboys were interested in star edge rusher Maxx Crosby<\/a> before the Las Vegas Raiders sent him to the Baltimore Ravens for two first-round picks. Dallas offered one of its first-round picks in this year\u2019s draft and a second-round pick in 2027, a person familiar with the team\u2019s thinking told The Dallas Morning News<\/a>. <\/p>\n

In doing so, the Cowboys made it known how willing \u2014 or unwilling \u2014 they were to go to get a premium defender. <\/p>\n

It\u2019s no secret the Cowboys have a lot to do this offseason. That\u2019s especially true on defense, where the Cowboys are tasked with rebuilding the league\u2019s worst defense from a year ago. It\u2019s factual, as well, that there are many ways the Cowboys could approach this offseason. <\/p>\n

Cowboys<\/p>\n

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Here are 10 steps the Cowboys can take toward achieving a perfect offseason \u2014 at least in our eyes. <\/p>\n

1. Don\u2019t be tempted by Trey<\/p>\n

The Seattle Seahawks had a dominant defense a year ago. It\u2019s a major reason they won the Super Bowl<\/a>. Fun fact: that defense also had just one player with a contract with an annual value over $20 million per year. The Cowboys, meanwhile, had three such players on their defense last season. <\/p>\n

The point: sometimes it\u2019s more about the collective than adding one high-priced, yet very good, free agent. That\u2019s especially true for the Cowboys. <\/p>\n

Trey Hendrickson is going to have a big market<\/a>. Interested teams have waited for the opportunity to sign him for years. Spotrac projects his market value at $25.4 million, and there\u2019s a chance his final deal goes above that. <\/p>\n

The Cowboys aren\u2019t one instant-impact free agent away from improving this defense. They need more than that. <\/p>\n

2. Make Alontae Taylor the main target<\/p>\n

New Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker wants a versatile defense. He\u2019ll need versatile chess pieces, especially in the secondary. Saints corner Alontae Taylor could be that chess piece. Taylor can play in the slot and outside. He also hasn\u2019t missed a game in the last three seasons, lowering the injury risk for a secondary that has a bunch of it. <\/p>\n

Taylor won\u2019t come cheap. Spotrac gives him a market value over $11 million, though he could sign for more. The Cowboys haven\u2019t waded into waters like that for a free agent in some time \u2014 but they should in this case.<\/p>\n

\"Philadelphia<\/p>\n

Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean (17) celebrates after sacking Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott during the third quarter of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Arlington.<\/p>\n

Smiley N. Pool \/ Staff Photographer<\/p>\n

3. Get your green dot<\/p>\n

The Cowboys are on the hunt for someone to play alongside linebacker DeMarvion Overshown. They want someone who can be their green-dot Mike linebacker to get everyone aligned in Parker\u2019s defense. It makes sense, then, that Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean<\/a> will be one of their targets, multiple people familiar with the team\u2019s thinking have indicated. <\/p>\n

Dean understands the system, he fits what they\u2019re looking for next to the speedy Overshown, and he can be a valuable blitzer. The one problem: he\u2019s been injury-prone recently. That\u2019s why he shouldn\u2019t be the only linebacker they acquire this offseason \u2014 but he should be the first. Former Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke could be another option higher in the market.<\/p>\n

4. Targets at safety<\/p>\n

It\u2019s become obvious that this year\u2019s safety draft class has the chance to produce a good amount of quality starters. Whether it\u2019s Caleb Downs<\/a> early, or TCU\u2019s Bud Clark on Day 2, there are good options. That should also push down the price for some veteran safety free agents. The Cowboys should take advantage and double-dip. It\u2019ll be interesting to see the market for former Eagles safety Reed Blankenship. Another affordable option could be Denver\u2019s P.J. Locke. Both have familiarity with Parker.<\/p>\n

5. Don\u2019t put more holes in the boat<\/p>\n

One of the popular external conversations since the end of the season has been about veteran safety Malik Hooker and right tackle Terence Steele. The Cowboys could save $20 million in cap space by releasing both and designating them as post-June 1 cuts. While tempting, don\u2019t expect the Cowboys to be in the business of adding more holes to a boat they\u2019re trying to fix. They also lack known entities behind them worth entrusting. <\/p>\n

6. Use No. 12 on best corner or edge rusher<\/p>\n

Remember when I brought up Seattle? Part of the Seahawks\u2019 success has come from drafting well on defense. The Cowboys haven\u2019t drafted well on defense in a while. They need to hit on their 12th pick and they need to do it at a vital position like corner or edge. If one of the elite edge rushers falls and is there, take them. If Mansoor Delane from LSU is there, sprint to the podium. It\u2019ll be hard to find affordable, quality options at both positions in free agency, making it more important to get one at the draft. Stick at No. 12 and pick there.<\/p>\n

\"LSU<\/p>\n

LSU defensive back Mansoor Delane answers questions during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026.<\/p>\n

Eric Gay \/ AP<\/p>\n

7. Trade back from No. 20<\/p>\n

As for Dallas\u2019 second first-round pick, I\u2019d recommend moving back to get more Day 2 selections. The Cowboys don\u2019t have any after trading for defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and George Pickens last year. It\u2019s easier said than done, of course, but if a team is willing to move up and offer multiple picks to do so, then the Cowboys should be willing. People familiar with the team\u2019s thinking have said they want to get back into Day 2. That portion of the draft, the second and third rounds, is very dense in talent this year. The Cowboys have a ton of holes on defense, but they could remedy those problems with more selections. <\/p>\n

8. Let free agents test market<\/p>\n

The Cowboys have nearly 20 free agents of their own. Outside of a few exceptions, and outside of exclusive rights free agents like corners Josh Butler and Reddy Steward, it would be wise for the Cowboys to let them hit the market. Dallas needs a clean slate on defense. <\/p>\n

9. Extend Quinnen Williams (and do something with Kenny Clark, too)<\/p>\n

The Cowboys already restructured the deals for wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, left guard Tyler Smith and quarterback Dak Prescott. More moves to open up cap space should be expected, as well. The two logical areas are the contracts for Williams and Clark. Both have over a $21 million cap hit for next season. That has to change. For Williams, I\u2019d get ahead of things and sign him to a major extension now. He\u2019s one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL and should be a cornerstone for this defense. Pay him like it. Clark could be an extension or pay-cut candidate. His cap hit can\u2019t be that high if the Cowboys want to make the moves they\u2019re motivated to make.<\/p>\n

10. Let situations with Aubrey, Pickens play out<\/p>\n

Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey indicated this week he\u2019s open to seeing what the market looks like for him<\/a> as a restricted free agent. The Cowboys have had an offer on the table that would make him the highest-paid kicker in the NFL, eclipsing Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, who makes $6.4 million per year. No deal has been consummated, however, resulting in the Cowboys placing a second-round tender on Aubrey worth around $5.8 million. <\/p>\n

If a team wants Aubrey they\u2019ll have to sign him to a record deal and give up a second-round pick for him \u2014 a price that is unlikely to be met. <\/p>\n

The Cowboys have every reason to let Aubrey\u2019s situation play out. The same can be said for George Pickens. The Cowboys placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Pickens, worth just under $28 million a year. Pickens is worth more than that, but how much? The market should give some indication, but just like Aubrey, the price will likely be too high for other teams. The Cowboys would get two first-round picks if someone agreed to a deal with Pickens and the Cowboys elected not to match. <\/p>\n

The Cowboys have leverage in both situations. Aubrey and Pickens have some, too: they\u2019re both Pro Bowl players and their services would be missed. <\/p>\n

I know, I know: Is it worth having more offseason contract drama? In this case, for the Cowboys, it probably is. <\/p>\n

\"Dallas<\/a>Dallas Cowboys place second-round tender on kicker Brandon Aubrey<\/a><\/p>\n

The Cowboys have yet to come to an extension with Aubrey, who has been an All-Pro in each of his first three seasons.<\/p>\n

\"FILE<\/a>Maxx Crosby heading to Ravens, who send 2 first-round draft picks to Raiders, reports say<\/a><\/p>\n

Baltimore wins out on the Crosby sweepstakes, a player reportedly targeted by the Dallas Cowboys.<\/p>\n

Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"If you want some insight into how the Cowboys are thinking heading into free agency Monday, consider the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":195059,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[10058,1044,102,113,104,103,5962,80],"class_list":{"0":"post-195058","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-dallas","8":"tag-brandon-aubrey","9":"tag-cowboys","10":"tag-dallas","11":"tag-dallas-cowboys","12":"tag-dallas-headlines","13":"tag-dallas-news","14":"tag-george-pickens","15":"tag-nfl"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/195058","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=195058"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/195058\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/195059"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=195058"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=195058"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=195058"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}