Cowboys news: Free agent signee talks about his role on defense
Jalen Thompson: Cowboys new-look defense ‘ready to step it up’ – Patrik Walker, DallasCowboys.com
Jalen Thompson speaks on the Cowboys defense improving in 2026.
FRISCO, Texas — Little to no time was wasted by the Dallas Cowboys once legal tampering got underway to begin the 2026 NFL free agency spree. Their trade to acquire pass rusher Rashan Gary was followed by the signing of veteran safety Jalen Thompson, the latter move flying under the radar, contextually speaking.
Granted, Thompson was awarded a three-year deal that instantly makes him the starter opposite Malik Hooker, but there are layers to the signing that don’t immediately meet the eye — a super-versatile defensive back that will likely play different roles depending on the called play.
“I see myself playing slot, deep, strong, free — wherever they need me,” Thompson said of his abilities and the Cowboys’ expectations of him. “I’ve got tape that shows it and I’m ready to get it going, bro.”
It’s something the 27-year-old mentioned previously, after signing his sparkling new contract his Dallas, and he’s hellbent on following through on that promise for Christian Parker, but also for Derrick Ansley, Robert Muschamp and, of course, Ryan Smith, whom Thompson spent several seasons with the Arizona Cardinals learning from.
Recent intel has me nervous the Cowboys may end up making a huge mistake with George Pickens – Mauricio Rodriguez, A to Z Sports
Did Jerry lie to us again?
Listen, the Dallas Cowboys may simply be doing their due diligence and nothing else. That’s what you want from a front office ahead of the NFL Draft, right?
But I’d be lying if I told you a recent report on the Cowboys’ draft process doesn’t have me a little bit nervous when it comes to the future of George Pickens. I’m talking about Dallas—with all of its defensive roster holes—scheduling a visit with one of the top wide receiver prospects in the class.
Let’s break it down.
Cowboys looking into top WR prospect
The Cowboys will use one of their “Top 30 visits” in Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr., according to Ryan Fowler.
Cooper is known for his quality route running and ball skills, which seemingly intrigues the team’s scouting department. But if the Cowboys wanted to pick him, they’d likely need to do it in the first round, especially because they lack a second-round pick.
The decision to use a pre-draft visit on him is somewhat of a surprise. Though they may want to take a closer look, Dallas is expected to focus on defense as they have holes at LB, EDGE, and CB.
Additionally, with CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and even Ryan Flournoy on deck, they appear to be set at wide receiver. Which brings me to my Pickens-related fear: If the Cowboys wind up picking Cooper Jr., could they consider trading the franchise-tagged WR?
Cowboys fans should beware of dicey big-name free agent (before it’s too late) – Lior Lambert, The Landry Hat
The Cowboys should steer clear of this big name in free agency.
The Dallas Cowboys have more work to do this offseason if they want to return to contention, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Cornerback is arguably at the top of the list of outstanding needs, though risky veterans like Marshon Lattimore are among the free-agent options still available.
Lattimore is the most accomplished name on the board (outside of maybe ex-Cowboy Trevon Diggs). Dallas owner and general manager Jerry Jones’ eyes usually light up when a grizzled player is up for grabs. However, it’d probably be in the club’s best interest to look elsewhere for secondary help.
As the Washington Commanders learned the hard way, Lattimore is no longer the star he once was — and is quite far from that, actually. The Cowboys should avoid making the same mistake their NFC East foe did by acquiring him in November 2024, which ended with his release.
The Dallas Cowboys would be wise to steer clear of free-agent CB Marshon Lattimore
Washington sent 2025 third-, fourth-, and sixth-round picks to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for Lattimore and a fifth-round selection. Roughly 16 months later, the Commanders cut him to save $18.5 million in salary cap space. Talk about a painful fall from grace.
Cowboys Predicted To Sign Former All-Pro LB in NFL Free Agency – Randy Gurzi, SI.com
The Cowboys need to add a veteran linebacker before the draft.
The Dallas Cowboys seem to have slowed down this offseason after making several moves to strengthen their defense.
They signed safeties Jalen Thompson and P.J. Locke, as well as cornerback Cobie Durant and nose tackle Otito Ogbonnia. They also improved on the EDGE by trading for Rashan Gary, previously of the Green Bay Packers.
Even with those additions, there’s one major hole that has yet to be addressed: linebacker.
The Cowboys’ current linebacker corps is rather uninspiring, with DeMarvion Overshown, Shemar James, and Justin Barron as their only three options. They do have Marist Liufau, but the former third-round pick is being moved to EDGE, according to defensive coordinator Christian Parker.
With that being the case, the Cowboys are expected to target a linebacker in the upcoming NFL draft. Names to watch there include CJ Allen from Georgia and Jacob Rodriguez out of Texas Tech.
Even with a rookie being added to the mix, Dallas could use some veteran leadership. That’s why Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News is predicting they outbid the Washington Commanders for veteran Bobby Wagner.
Who could fill Cowboys’ hole at middle linebacker? – Todd Archer, ESPN.com
Here are more veteran linebackers that could make sense for the Cowboys in a trade.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen had 120 tackles last season, but several scouts said his play fell off last year. He is due to make $10.83 million in base salary this year.
Miami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks had 183 tackles and 3.5 sacks last season. Miami seems to be in a complete rebuild. At 29, Brooks is set to make $7.815 million in 2026.
Azeez Al-Shaair, also 29, had 103 tackles for the Houston Texans, one of the best defenses in the league. He plays with an attitude (sometimes gets too far over the edge) and is set to make $11 million in 2026.
With the middle linebacker free agent market already picked over, perhaps the Cowboys have some remorse in not doing more to reel in Walker or Lloyd. Dean’s background with Parker with the Philadelphia Eagles made him an interesting fit, but his size (5-foot-11, 231 pounds) and injury history made him more questionable than the other two.
The off-ball linebackers currently on the roster for new assistant coach Scott Symons are DeMarvion Overshown, Shemar James and Justin Barron.
Overshown will have an offseason program to focus on football and not rehab for the first time in his career. James was second on the defense with 84 tackles as a rookie fifth-round pick. Were his tackles the equivalent of a shooting guard scoring 20 points a game on a bad NBA team? Somebody had to make the tackles. Barron spent most of the season on the practice squad.
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