The Dallas Cowboys might not be seeing a lot change at security in 2025. They’ve two cheap starters and not less than one core depth participant who ought to be simply re-signed. In an offseason with heavy wants throughout a lot of the roster, Dallas could welcome the possibility to let issues breathe at this one place. However even within the absence of vital want, alternatives to improve shouldn’t be ignored.
Underneath Contract
Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson
Potential Departures
Juanyeh Thomas, Markquese BellIsrael Mukuamu
Whereas technically not underneath contract, Juanyeh Thomas is very unlikely to depart as an unique rights free agent. The Cowboys solely want to supply him the league minimal to maintain his rights for this yr, and there’s no motive to suppose that they gained’t. Whereas a comparatively minor knee damage ended his season early, Thomas is anticipated to be all the best way again and proceed his emergence on protection.
In truth, some have even prompt that Dallas ought to transfer Thomas right into a beginning function over Donovan Wilson. They might get again about $5.9 million in cap area off Wilson’s deal which might be helpful at different positions, whereas arguably struggling little-to-no loss in efficiency with Thomas’ promotion. With Wilson having simply turned 30, there may be affordable concern {that a} participant who depends a lot on physicality goes to start out seeing a speedy downturn in play.
However there’s a unique logic thread to think about right here. Wilson’s whole cap hit of $8.65 million is barely Twelfth-highest amongst all safeties. In truth, the mixed $16.4 million that he and Malik Hooker are as a consequence of depend in opposition to Dallas’ 2025 cap is lower than the NFL’s prime safeties depend by themselves. So whereas there are financial savings available, you could possibly argue that the overhead on the place continues to be pretty low. And for those who can hold Thomas for a minimal quantity, that provides you a stable trio at an inexpensive price.
One other issue right here is Matt Eberflus taking on the protection. If he sticks to his scheme with two-high safeties, Wilson might be in bother given his underwhelming protection expertise. That shouldn’t have an effect on Hooker, who really labored with Eberflus from 2018-2020 with the Colts. However between cap financial savings, age, and a doubtlessly damaging impact from scheme modifications, Wilson’s future is unquestionably up within the air.
No matter occurs there, Dallas nonetheless has to account for impending free company for Markquese Bell and Israel Mukuamu. Bell noticed an enormous drop in his taking part in time from 2023 when he was filling in at linebacker, going from 649 defensive snaps to only 34 final yr. Whereas he’s only a restricted free agent, the Cowboys most likely gained’t supply him even the bottom projected tender of about $3 million. If he’s saved in any respect, he’ll possible must comply with a league-minimum deal like Thomas.
Mukuamu by no means discovered traction in Dallas for no matter motive. He offered sufficient depth at each nook and security, plus performed numerous particular groups, to succeed in the tip of his rookie contract. That’s not unhealthy for only a sixth-round decide, but it surely’s exhausting to see the place issues go from right here. He hasn’t executed sufficient to have a lot of a market in free company, and the regime change on the Cowboys’ protection means he could not have anybody to advocate for him.
Whereas listed at cornerback in our preview sequence due to the place he performed final yr, Josh Butler can be value a point out right here. Hopefully, he can come again from a reasonably grotesque knee damage and assist out subsequent season. If that’s the case, he’ll be one other versatile depth man for the whole secondary. However with a robust probability that his restoration will prolong into the common season, the Cowboys might want to another choices.
Free Company
Except Eberflus actually needs to reconnect with a man he is aware of, just like the Colts’ Julian Blackmon, you most likely gained’t see a lot occurring right here. Dallas has typically not invested closely in safeties and, if something, would divest of Donovan Wilson’s contract earlier than signing an much more profitable cope with another person. Exterior of both re-signing Bell and/or Mukuamu or changing them with comparable down-roster prospects, it ought to be quiet on the free company entrance.
2025 NFL Draft
Issues are more likely to get attention-grabbing within the draft. If he isn’t a cap casualty this yr, Wilson’s deal is up in 2026 and Hooker’s in 2027. The Cowboys may simply justify getting a younger expertise within the pipeline to supply fast depth and finally substitute one in every of them.
As talked about earlier than, Dallas’ basic undervaluing of safeties means we shouldn’t anticipate one within the first spherical. In truth, it’s been over 10 years since they spent something greater than a sixth-round decide on the place (J.J. Wilcox, third spherical in 2013). Except Eberflus needs a extra dramatic personnel change on the place and sees somebody he actually loves, and particularly if they’re going to minimize Wilson, a rookie addition most likely gained’t come till Day 3.
Last Ideas
The Cowboys have “gotten what they paid for” at security for a very long time. With minimal draft funding and cheaper contracts over the past a number of years, Dallas hasn’t actually had a star on the place in a very long time. Whereas a brand new defensive coordinator means a unique voice within the room, you continue to have the identical entrance workplace and an offensive-minded head coach. It’s exhausting to think about there might be a philosophical shift.
Given what else is on Dallas’ agenda this offseason, that’s not a nasty factor. Whether or not it’s Donovan Wilson or Juanyeh Thomas beginning subsequent to Malik Hooker in 2025, that’s ok if the remainder of the protection will get what it wants. That’s to not say the Cowboys ought to simply cross on a top-flight security prospect if one’s out there once they’re on the clock. However given all their different wants, it’s exhausting to think about any security might be alluring sufficient to distract Dallas from different positions.
