The Cowboys defensive position goes to look very totally different in 2026, however some recent faces usually tend to be on the 53 than others. Undrafted free agent Tommy Dunn is hoping to defy expectations and discover a crack within the present projections, or no less than show he’s price retaining round for additional improvement.
Years in NFL: 0Acquired by: UDFA (2026)
Dunn has spent the final 5 years at Kansas, taking part in alongside one other Cowboys UDFA in D.J. Withers. He has been a starter the final two seasons for the Jayhawks, with a career-high 2.5 sacks as a senior. At 6’2” and over 290 lbs., he initiatives as a 4-3 defensive deal with or 3-4 finish, which provides him a reasonably clear position in Dallas’ transitioning protection.
Dunn’s path to Dallas isn’t nearly needing extra applicable our bodies for the brand new 3-4 scheme. His defensive coordinator the final two years, D.Okay. McDonald, was the Eagles’ defensive backs coach in 2023. One in every of his former assistants was Christian Parker, our ballyhooed new DC in 2026. That two of McDonald’s merchandise, Dunn and Withers, discovered their means right here this offseason appears like extra than simply coincidence. Hopefully, it means Parker has an inside scoop on their potential.
Years Left: 32026 Cap Hit: $887k
No surprises right here. It’s the usual three-year, minimal cash deal we’ve seen with most UDFAs. There’s no less than a $50k assured portion for guys like Dunn who in all probability gained’t make the roster.
Position: Backup DERoster Likelihood: 10%
As we’ve damaged down earlier than, it’s going to be robust for guys like Dunn to get on the 53 this 12 months given it’s present make-up. Dallas’ swap to a 3-4 below Parker could have created extra uncertainty, however we have now been loading up on choices to handle the varied roles. Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark are the returning veterans, and so they’re now joined by Otito Ogbonnia and Jonathan Bullard as free brokers. Then there’s rookie L.T. Overton, who is very prone to be on the roster.
If Dallas solely retains 5 DTs, that’s the possible group barring accidents. In the event that they go together with six, the primary participant most would anticipate is second-year prospect Jay Toia as a real nostril deal with. However this the place Dunn, Withers, Kelvin Gilliam, and Adedayo Odeleye are hoping they’ll pressure a debate. Dallas doesn’t essentially want Toia to play nostril, as Clark and Ogbonnia can each deal with that spot. So in the event that they do maintain a sixth man, it is going to in all probability be whoever of those prospects reveals essentially the most upside.
On the very least, Dunn ought to get loads of time this summer time to point out his stuff. We aren’t going to see a lot of Williams, Clark, or Bullard in preseason video games, giving these younger guys loads of snaps. Toia being a seventh-round choose final 12 months isn’t going to matter: any of those undrafted guys have a shot if they’ll have an excellent August.
Take a look at our earlier participant profiles from this collection:
