5 defensive players Cowboys need to step up their game in 2026

Coming off the 2025 season where they were arguably one of the worst, if not the worst, defensive units in the entire league, the Dallas Cowboys has spent the offseason focusing the majority of their attention on improving their defense. From the hiring of new defensive coordinator Christian Parker and his coaching staff to the trades, free agents, and draft picks they’ve added to the roster, defensively things are looking up for the Cowboys in 2026.

While we’re all looking forward to seeing what all of the new faces can add to Dallas’ defense this upcoming season, there’s plenty of carryovers who will equally play important defensive roles this year. There are several of these holdovers who will be vital to the defenses hopeful quick turnaround, but for this to be a better unit from a season ago several of them will need to step up their game.

LB DeMarvion Overshown

Overshown has missed 32 games in three years due to two separate season-ending knee injuries and is entering a contract year this season. He along with Dee Winters are projected to be the starting linebackers in Dallas’ new 3-4 defense under Christian Parker. While Overshown has shown flashes of his talent and game changing ability, his injury history is a concern. He needs to have a healthy season, if not LB play could once again be a problem as it was a year ago.

CB DaRon Bland

Bland had 14 interceptions in his first two seasons with the Cowboys, but just one over the last two. His recent lack of INT’s could be due to his reoccurring foot issues that has caused him to have off-season surgery in back-to-back years. He’s expected to be a full participant when training camp gets underway and the one of the starting outside CBs this year. He needs to step up his game to live up to the $22.5 million he’s being paid per year, which is seventh highest among corners in the NFL.

OLB Donovan Ezeiruaku

The Cowboys pass rush was pretty much nonexistent a season ago, but is expected to be much improved in their new-look defense under Christian Parker. Trading for Rashan Gary and drafting Malachi Lawrence in the first-round this year was a start, but it’s the expected second-year jump from Donovan Ezeiruaku that will hopefully pay off the most. He’s currently making his way back from offseason surgery to repair a torn labrum, but hopefully builds on the glimpses he showed last year as a rookie.

CB Shavon Revel

Revel was considered a first-round talent who slid to the Cowboys in the third-round of the 2025 NFL draft last year. At no point in his rookie season did he look as if he was 100% healthy while playing with the knee brace, but now brace free, he is expected to take a significant second-year jump. He’s moving around much more smoothly and playing with more confidence, which will hopefully continue throughout training camp and into the season. If he and DaRon Bland both step up their game, Dallas’ secondary should be much improved.

S Malik Hooker

Hooker’s fit in Christian Parker’s 3-4 defensive scheme is somewhat of a mystery as of right now after the safety position was overhauled this offseason. But he will be somewhere in a rotation with Jalen Thompson and Caleb Downs, with Downs expected to play a lot of nickel corner. That means Hooker will once again play a vital role on the back end of Dallas’ secondary, despite coming off a rather lackluster year a season ago. For self-preservation, he needs to step up its game for no other reason to hold off some younger/cheaper challengers.