Dallas Cowboys 2025 free agent wishlist: Defensive edition

Whether it’s out of envy watching the Philadelphia Eagles play in the Super Bowl or out of need, there is reason to believe the Dallas Cowboys could be much more active in free agency than they have in years past. Maybe this is the year they go “all-in”, unlike last year.

Considering all of the current “needs” they have, the Cowboys can’t simply rely on building their roster through the 2025 NFL Draft. They will have to address a few of those “needs” via free agency, but who those players may be is the ultimate unknown right now.

Today, we thought we’d have a little fun and remove all restraints by putting together our wish list of free agents who the Cowboys could target in order to upgrade the defensive side of the ball. As unlikely as it is to sign anyone from this list, we still have our fingers crossed.

DT – Milton Williams

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Osa Odighizuwa is probably the preferred free agent DT the Cowboys will target via free agency, but we are going to exclude him for no other reason than to look at a different option. Milton Williams is someone Dallas should be familiar with considering they were not only rumored to like him coming out of the Louisiana Tech, but have played him twice a year for the past several years as a division rival with the Eagles. He, like Odighizuwa, is one of the better 3-techniques on the open market and would be a perfect fit in Matt Eberflus’ defense.

Projected contract via PFF: 3 yrs, $21m avg/yr. ($37.5m guaranteed, $63m total)

DE – Josh Sweat

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Other than Micah Parsons, who is expected to receive a big time extension this offseason, the Dallas Cowboys depth at DE leaves much to be desired. This could be the position they target with the 12th overall pick in the first-round of the 2025 NFL Draft, but free agency would be a good option as well. Josh Sweat is someone who fits what Matt Eberflus likes at the position, and signing him away from a division rival would be an added bonus. Sweat, Parsons, Marshawn Kneeland, and Sam Williams would be a formidable pass rush in Dallas.

Projected contracted via PFF: 3 yrs, $18m avg/yrs. ($32.5m guaranteed, $54m total)

LB – Nick Bolton

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With Eric Kendricks possibly leaving via free agency and DeMarvion Overshown’s availability up in the air to play at all in 2025, linebacker is one of the bigger “needs” for the Dallas Cowboys this offseason. The MLB position is one of the more important ones in Matt Eberflus’ defensive scheme. The free agent LB that fits Eberflus’ scheme best is probably Nick Bolton. He is a heatseeking missile in the run game and is pretty solid in other areas. His Super Bowl-winning mentality is something that would hopefully be contagious.

Projected contract via PFF: 4 yrs, $15m avg/yrs. ($40m guaranteed, $60m total)

CB – Paulson Adebo

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With Trevon Diggs rehabbing from yet another season-ending knee injury, DaRon Bland is the only starting-caliber cornerback the Cowboys can depend on right now. This is a position they could target early in the 2025 NFL Draft as well as signing a starting-caliber CB via free agency. Paulson Adebo, whose 2024 season ended early with a broken femur, is someone they could target. He is still just 25 years old, a Texas native, and has a potential to be a No. 1 outside CB. He, Diggs, and Bland would be an impressive CB trio.

Projected contract via PFF: 3 yrs, $13.33 avg/yrs. ($25m guaranteed, $40m total)

S – Tre’von Moehrig

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Neither Malik Hooker or Donovan Wilson stood out in 2024 and either could possibly be a salary-cap casualty. That would further deplete Dallas’ depth at the safety position, creating another “need” to fill the offseason. Even if neither is a salary-cap casualty, upgrading and solidifying the position via free agency for years to come isn’t out of the question. Trevon Moehrig, who they liked coming out of TCU, would be a perfect fit in Matt Eberflus’ defense. He’s had five interceptions and 18 passes defensed in the last two years alone.

Projected contract via PFF: 4 yrs, $15m avg/yrs. ($35m guaranteed, $60m total)