Post-Super Bowl mock offseason for the Cowboys (Part II)

Earlier, we completed the first half of our proposed Dallas Cowboys offseason roadmap with some restructures, releases and inside free agent signings. You can review all of that here.

Now we are moving on to adding players, either through free agency or the draft. That will gives us our projected new lineups for both offense and defense.

Part II

Outside Free Agent Signings:

Here is where things get interesting. As aggressive as the Cowboys are at signing their own, they are just as passive signing outside free agents. We have seen and heard a few things recently that may suggest this could change this offseason, so we will be a little more aggressive targeting outside free agents than the Cowboys typically do.

DL John Franklin-Myers – two year, $16M contract

2026 Cap Hit: $6.5M

Franklin-Myers is a hybrid defensive lineman having the ability to play defensive end or defensive tackle in multiple fronts. With Christian Parker expected to play more odd-fronts in Dallas, Franklin-Myers makes a lot of sense. Franklin-Myers size gives him the versatility to play left defensive end in 3-4 or 4-3 fronts, while also having the ability to play the five-technique or three-technique in 3-4 or 4-3 fronts. His position flexibility, pass rush ability, and his recent resurgence as a run defender makes him a prime candidate to land in Dallas this offseason on a respectable deal. Spotrac.com has his market value listed at just under $8M and the deal offered comes in right at that figure for two years.

S Alohi Gilman – two year, $9.5M contract

2026 Cap Hit: $4.5M

With Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson now out based on earlier moves, enter Alohi Gilman. Gilman had an up-and-down career with the Chargers before being traded to the Baltimore Ravens last season. Gilman was tremendous in Baltimore since arriving and proved to be one of the more versatile safeties in the league to close out the season. Gilman would give Parker a guy that has experience and versatility to play deep (314 snaps in 2025), in the box (314 snaps in 2025), or cover out of the slot (106 snaps in 2025) when needed.

LB Quincy Williams – one year, $5.5M contract

2026 Cap Hit: $5,5M

Quincy Williams is also a pretty easy target for the Cowboys, after trading for his brother (Quinnen Williams) last season. Williams had a down year in 2025, like a lot of the New York Jets defenders, but has been graded out as one of the better linebackers in the NFL over the last three-to-four seasons.

S Reed Blankenship – three year, $21M contract

2026 Cap Hit: $8M

With Christian Parker as the Cowboys new defensive coordinator, you should expect him have a loud voice in bringing in some of his guys this offseason. With Nakobe Dean and Reed Blankenship highlighting the Philadelphia Eagles pending free agents, it’s a wise bet to assume the Cowboys may target one of the two this offseason. With a bigger need at free safety, Blankenship could slide into Malik Hooker’s role as the Cowboys free safety and have a good understanding of what Parker is looking to do on defense.

OT Yosh Nijman – Nijman signs a one year, $2M contract

2026 Cap Hit: $1.2M

There has been a lot of talk about Terence Steele and Tyler Guyton’s jobs so far this offseason. With both players proving their struggles the last two years, it should not surprise anyone if neither player has a starting job in 2026, but with so many holes on defense, it’s tough to imagine creating another massive need on the offensive line who did hold their own in 2025. Yosh Nijman is the ideal fit for the Cowboys. One, because he’ll be somewhat cheap and two, because he has experience playing both left and right tackle at a starting level in the NFL.

Cap Space Remaining After Free Agency:

$14.3M

2026 7-Round Mock Draft

Now to the fun stuff.

Round 1, 12th Overall

The Pick: LSU CB Mansoor Delane

After filling needs in free agency at safety and the defensive line, the Cowboys can now turn their focus to the cornerback position in the first round. Mansoor Delane is a top-graded cornerback heading into the NFL Scouting Combine and it’s tough to imagine that changing. Delane is a pure cover cornerback that lacks ideal size and arm length, but his ability to cover in man or zone and his football IQ is off the charts.

Delane is likely to come out from a physical tool comparison to Philadelphia Eagles CB Quinyon Mitchell, making his fit in Christian Parker’s defense and familiarly with Cowboys’ secondary coach Ryan Smith dating back to Smith’s time with Virginia Tech ideal for Dallas with the 12th overall pick.

TRADE

DAL trades pick 1:20 & 6:215 to DEN for pick 1:30 & 2:61

Round 1, 30th Overall

The Pick: Oklahoma EDGE R Mason Thomas

After trading their second-rounder in 2026 for Quinnen Williams and their third-rounder in 2026 for George Pickens, the Cowboys will be somewhat desperate to pickup a day two pick in the 2026 draft. Trading back 10 spots in round one is a bit of a jump, but picking up Denver’s second-round pick and throwing in our 2026 sixth-round picks to get the deal done is well worth it.

After retaining Jadeveon Clowney and signing John Franklin-Myers in free agency, the Cowboys need for a dominant edge rusher has decreased, but it’s still near the top of the list. Oklahoma’s R Mason Smith is a super fun prospect that still is not getting enough love.

Unlike previous defensive coordinators, Thomas fits the mold as a rush outside linebacker in a Christian Parker defense. Listed at 6’2” 250-lbs, Thomas is a twitched up and explosive pass rusher that has “quick wins” littered throughout his tape. Thomas’ ability to get after quarterbacks is much needed in Dallas after the departure of Micah Parsons, and he can fill the role as designated pass rusher and rotational edge as he continues to fill out and hold up versus the run.

Round 2, 62nd Overall

The Pick: Missouri LB, Josiah Trotter

After adding Quincy Williams in free agency, the Cowboys should see their linebacker play improve in 2026 with Williams and a healthy DeMarvion Overshown. But due to Overshown’s inability to stay healthy and Williams down year in 2025, adding another linebacker to the mix that lacks depth would be wise.

Josiah Trotter has toughness, physicality, and IQ at the linebacker position. Trotter should be mentioned at the top of the list for each of those categories in this draft class.

Round 4, 112th Overall

The Pick: TCU S Bud Clark

After being active in free agency at the safety position, the Cowboys go back to the well in the fourth round to land TCU safety Bud Clark. But Clark is a bit different than Blankenship and Gilman. Clark, a senior from TCU, is known for his ability to play the nickel at a high level, and he proved that all week at the Senior Bowl.

Clark played 313 snaps out of the slot in 2025 and was one of the better coverage safeties in college football in 2025. Clark is tough, physical, and feisty in coverage. With the Cowboys having a need at slot cornerback with Delane and Bland on the outside, Clark would be an excellent addition on day three and has a legit chance to start from day one for the Cowboys.

Round 5, 150th Overall

The Pick: Texas A&M OT Dametrious Crownover

The addition of Yosh Nijman gives the Cowboys a veteran option to push for starting time or be a reliable swing tackle, but adding youth to the room is needed. Nathan Thomas was disappointing in his time on the field in 2025 and Ajani Cornelius was unable to get on the field in his rookie season.

Dametrious Crownover had an up-and-down 2025 season for Texas A&M, but showed some nice signs of improvement at the Senior Bowl. Crownover is a massive man at 6’7”, 330+ pounds, but he moves relatively well for such a big guy and has elite arm length. Crownover has 1,800 snaps played at the right tackle position over the last three years, and could be a potential replacement for Steele down the road if he continues to develop.

Round 5, 175th Overall

The Pick: Oregon CB Jadon Canady

Do you get the theme of this mock offseason yet? We are completely rebuilding the Cowboys secondary. After adding Alohi Gilman, Reed Blankenship, Mansoor Delane, and Bud Clark, the Cowboys add slot cornerback Jadon Canady in the fifth round.

Canady was one of the better cover cornerbacks in college football in 2025 and his ability to cover in the slot would give the Cowboys multiple options at the nickel cornerback spot in 2026.

Round 7, 221st Overall

The Pick: Michigan DL Rayshaun Benny

The defensive line room is pretty crowded, but late on day three the Cowboys address a position of weakness over the last decade plus. The Cowboys inability to stop the run has reared its ugly head for a long time. Michigan’s Rayshaun Benny is a run stuffer from Michigan that brings very little pass rush to the table at the NFL level. Benny could compete with Jay Toia and Perrion Winfrey for the final roster spot in the defensive tackle room, but this late on day three, taking a chance to improve a long-time weakness is a wise idea.

Round 7, 225th Overall

The Pick: Wisconsin EDGE Mason Reiger

Wisconsin’s Mason Reiger is a day three wildcard in this draft class. Reiger is eerily similar to the many Wisconsin edge rushers in the NFL. While lacking elite athletic traits, Reiger plays through the whistle, with great hand technique, and has a variety of ways to win off the edge. Reiger’s tall frame has some tightness, but with his fast hands and clean footwork he showed the ability to generate consistent pressure at Wisconsin.

Projected Offense heading into training camp:

QB: Dak Prescott

RB: Javonte Williams

WR: CeeDee Lamb

WR: George Pickens

WR: Ryan Flournoy

TE: Jake Ferguson

LT: Tyler Guyton (Yosh Nijman competition)

LG: Tyler Smith

OC: Cooper Beebe

RG: Tyler Booker

RT: Terence Steele (Nathan Thomas competition)

Projected Defense heading into training camp:

LDE: John Franklin-Myers (Jadeveon Clowney rotation)

DL: Quinnen Williams (Kenny Clark rotation)

DL: Osa Odighizuwa (John Franklin-Myers rotation)

RDE: Donovan Ezeiruaku (Mason Thomas rotation)

LB: Quincy Williams (Josiah Trotter rotation)

LB: DeMarvion Overshown

CB: Mansoor Delane

CB: DaRon Bland

NCB: Bud Clark

S: Reed Blankenship

S: Alohi Gilman

There you have it, a complete makeover for the Cowboys on defense with some added competition on offense. Would this starting lineup please you? Where would you make improvements on the plan?