Look, being a Cowboys fan is basically a full-time job at this point. You’ve got the high-octane wins, the head-scratching losses, and a front office that loves to keep everyone guessing. After a 7-9-1 finish to the 2025 season, the conversation around football Dallas Cowboys players has shifted from "Who can we add?" to "Who can we even afford to keep?"
The star on the helmet carries weight. It also carries a massive price tag.
Right now, the roster is a weird mix of established superstars and a new wave of talent that Jerry Jones and company are hoping can bridge the gap. We aren’t just talking about the names you see on jerseys at the mall. We're looking at a defensive unit that lost its heartbeat when Micah Parsons headed to Green Bay in that blockbuster trade, and an offense that is leaning on Dak Prescott’s veteran presence more than ever.
The State of the Stars: Dak, CeeDee, and the New WR1
Dak Prescott is still the man under center. Honestly, despite the 2025 season ending without a playoff run, his numbers were actually pretty stellar. He put up 4,552 passing yards and 30 touchdowns. The 10 interceptions aren't perfect, but they aren't the disaster some critics claim. The real issue? That $74 million cap hit looming in 2026.
It’s a lot of money. Like, "buys a small island" kind of money.
Then you have CeeDee Lamb. He’s been the definition of a target vacuum since he arrived in Dallas. But 2025 was a bit of an outlier. He finished with 75 receptions for 1,077 yards—his lowest reception total since his rookie year. Part of that was a high ankle sprain that cost him three games, but the other part was the emergence of George Pickens.
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Wait, Pickens?
Yeah, the Cowboys took a swing on George Pickens, and he rewarded them with 1,429 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns. He’s currently the deep threat this team hasn't had in years. But here is the kicker: he’s an unrestricted free agent now. If Dallas doesn't lock him up, they’re basically handing the keys back to a room that feels a little thin behind CeeDee.
The receiver room right now looks like this:
- CeeDee Lamb: The established #1 coming off a 3-TD season.
- George Pickens: The breakout star who might walk in March.
- Ryan Flournoy: The young guy who showed flashes, including a touchdown against the Chargers.
- Jalen Tolbert: A reliable veteran presence who is also entering free agency.
Why the Defense is Currently a Question Mark
If you want to know why the Cowboys struggled last year, look at the turnover on the defensive side of the ball. Losing Micah Parsons was a gut punch. Sending him to the Packers for draft picks and Kenny Clark was a "win later" move that "hurt now." Clark is a beast on the interior, but you can’t replace 12.5 sacks from a single edge rusher overnight.
Jadeveon Clowney stepped up in a big way. He led the team with 8.5 sacks in 2025. It's vintage Clowney—playing on a one-year deal and proving he still has the juice. But he’s 32. He's also a free agent.
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The secondary is where things get really interesting. DaRon Bland is still a ballhawk, but injuries plagued the back end of the roster late in the year. Trevon Diggs has been working back from his own hurdles, and the team had to lean on guys like Caelen Carson and Shavon Revel Jr. more than they probably wanted to.
You've gotta wonder if they’ll go defensive-heavy in the draft again. Names like David Bailey from Texas Tech are already being linked to Dallas because the pass rush needs a long-term anchor.
The Running Game: From CMC-Style to Committee?
Javonte Williams was a bright spot in a murky season. 1,201 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns is nothing to sneeze at. He ran with a violence that Dallas has lacked since the early Zeke years. But, sticking with the theme of the 2026 offseason, he’s also a free agent.
Behind him, it's a bit of a scramble:
- Phil Mafah: The rookie out of Clemson who showed he can handle short-yardage work.
- Hunter Luepke: The versatile fullback/H-back who does the dirty work.
- Malik Davis: A restricted free agent who might be kept for depth.
The front office is basically playing a game of salary cap Tetris. They have 22 players with expiring contracts. That includes Brandon Aubrey, the kicker who has been virtually automatic. You don't let a guy who scores 155 points in a season walk. You just don't.
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Emerging Talent You Need to Watch
While the big names dominate the headlines, the survival of the Cowboys depends on the "Futures" signings. They recently brought back guys like Israel Abanikanda and Traeshon Holden. Holden was a training camp darling in 2025 and actually saw some meaningful reps when the injury bug bit the wide receiver room.
Zion Childress is another one. He’s a defensive back who played his way from the practice squad to the active roster. Those are the types of football Dallas Cowboys players that make or break a team's depth. When the starters are making $50 million, the guys making the league minimum have to be able to play.
The Reality of Free Agency
The Cowboys are sitting on about $46 million in potential cap space if they let everyone walk. They won't, obviously. But they can’t keep everyone either. The "Texas-only" draft strategy rumors are flying, especially with guys like Anthony Hill Jr. and David Bailey potentially available.
Jerry Jones loves a splash. But right now, the roster needs a foundation.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Analysts
If you're trying to keep track of this roster as we head into the 2026 league year, here is what you need to do:
- Watch the March 9 Deadline: This is when the legal tampering period begins. If George Pickens or Javonte Williams haven't signed an extension by then, they are likely gone.
- Monitor the Tender Sheets: Brandon Aubrey and T.J. Bass are restricted free agents. Check if the Cowboys place a first or second-round tender on them. That tells you exactly how much they value that specific depth.
- Check the Defensive Coordinator Search: With Matt Eberflus out, the new DC will determine if guys like Osa Odighizuwa and DeMarvion Overshown are used as aggressive blitzers or read-and-react defenders.
- Scout the Edge Rushers: Since the Parsons trade, the Cowboys have a massive hole at DE. Keep an eye on the top three edge prospects in the upcoming draft; one of them is almost certainly coming to Frisco.
The roster is in a state of flux, but the talent is there. It’s just a matter of whether the front office decides to pay for the stars they have or gamble on the stars they might draft.
Good luck, Cowboys fans. You're gonna need it.