Cowboys 2026 roster rundown: DT Jonathan Bullard
While not a former All-Pro like Quinnen Williams or even a Pro Bowler like Kenny Clark, Jonathan Bullard is still their peer as part of the new veteran core in the Cowboys’ defensive front. He won’t be as prevalent in Dallas’ DT rotation, but Bullard could fill important roles in certain formations and as a mentor to one particular rookie.
Background
Years in NFL: 10
Acquired by: Free agent (2026)
Like new teammates Clark and Dak Prescott, Bullard entered the NFL with the 2016 draft class. He was an early third-round pick by the Chicago Bears, playing as a smallish 3-4 DE. Coincidentally, Bullard’s first three seasons in Chicago were as part of a defense run by Vic Fangio, whose name we’ve heard a lot this offseason as the previous boss and mentor to Dallas’ new DC, Christian Parker.
Bullard was kept in a rotational, formation-specific role in Chicago and only started five games in three seasons. After being waived by the Bears at final cuts in 2019, he got claimed by Arizona and spent the next three years bouncing from the Cardinals to the Seahawks to the Falcons in backup roles.
In 2022, Bullard found stability as a free agent with the Vikings. Their new DC that year, Ed Donatell, had just finished working as the DC in Denver for Fangio during his brief head-coaching run. Back in a familiar scheme, Bullard had his most productive years and emerged as a full-time starter for the first time in his career. He developed a strong reputation for run defense as an edge-setting DE, though without the pass-rushing presence for high stock at his position.
Last year, at 31, Bullard signed with New Orleans and was back to a more rotational role. He did have six starts in 15 games, but was generally off the field on perceived passing downs. Back on the market again this past March, Bullard sat available for about two weeks before signing with the Cowboys.
Contract Status
Years Left: 1
2026 Cap Hit: $1.94 million
It’s a fairly minimal deal for a 10-year veteran, but Bullard did get $1.5 million of it guaranteed. That speaks to some solid job security this summer, and the Cowboys likely already having a clear role in mind for him.
2026 Projections
Role: Backup DT
Roster Chance: 85%
The DT position now revolves around Quinnen Williams, leaving guys like Clark, Bullard, Otito Ogbonnia, and LT Overton to fit in where they’re best suited depending on formations and situations. When the Cowboys want beef up front, Clark and Ogbonnia will be the guys. But when they’re looking for more athleticism up front, while not sacrificing too much power, Bullard will likely be the early go-to as Overton continues to develop and transition into a new role.
To that end, Bullard is a fantastic mentor for Dallas’ fourth-round rookie. While Bullard was never an edge rusher like Overton was in college, his best work has been at the 4-and-5-tech spots that both will likely play most in Parker’s scheme. If Overton does build up his size and power, he may even get some work inside the way Bullard has throughout his career.
The reason we’re leaving some room for Bullard to not make the roster is because of Overton, who just might take to his new role quickly and earn the coaches’ trust. If so, that could make Bullard expendable. It isn’t likely, hence the high probability that he’s on the 53, but what if Overton has a great camp and then some other defensive lineman like Tommy Dunn, Kevin Gilliam, or Jay Toia shows up? At that point, the $1.5 million in guaranteed money may not be enough for Dallas to risk losing a much younger prospect.
Check out our previous player profiles from this series:
RB Israel Abanikanda | P Bryan Anger | K Brandon Aubrey | S Justin Barron | G T.J. Bass | C Cooper Beebe | CB DaRon Bland | RB Jaydon Blue | G Tyler Booker | CB Josh Butler | CB Caelen Carson | DB Zion Childress | S Alijah Clark | DT Kenny Clark | OT Ajani Cornelius | RB Malik Davis | S Caleb Downs | DT Tommy Dunn | CB Cobie Durant | OLB Donovan Ezeiruaku | TE Princeton Fant | TE Jake Ferguson | WR Ryan Flournoy | OLB Rashan Gary | OT Tyler Guyton | C Matt Hennessy | S Malik Hooker | OLB James Houston | QB Sam Howell | WR Jordan Hudson | LB Shemar James | WR Tyler Johnson | G Trevor Keegan | CB Derion Kendrick | WR CeeDee Lamb | OLB Isaiah Land | OLB Marist Liufau | S P.J. Locke | FB Hunter Luepke | RB Phil Mafah | QB Joe Milton III | WR Jonathan Mingo | CB Devin Moore | DT Otito Ogbonnia | DT L.T. Overton | LB DeMarvion Overshown | WR George Pickens | QB Dak Prescott | CB Shavon Revel | TE DJ Rogers | TE Luke Schoonmaker | OT Drew Shelton | LS Trent Sieg | WR Anthony Smith | G Tyler Smith | OLB Charles Snowden | TE Brevyn Spann-Ford | OT Terence Steele | CB Reddy Steward | OT Nate Thomas | S Jalen Thompson | DT Jay Toia | TE Michael Trigg | WR KaVontae Turpin | WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling | OLB Tyrus Wheat | RB Javonte Williams | DT Quinnen Williams | OLB Sam Williams | OL DJ Wingfield | LB Dee Winters | DT D.J. Withers | S Julius Wood
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