The NFL Combine has wrapped up and now the Dallas Cowboys can look forward to the NFL Draft. 2024 was extremely disappointing but they will look to start fresh and bounce back. Will 2025 be the year of vengeance for the Cowboys?
March through April will be the big introduction to the Brian Schottenheimer era. The Cowboys’ offseason moves will be under a massive microscope, especially considering their lack of aggressiveness in 2024. They spent a league-low $20.07 million in free agency and watched the rich get richer.
When talking about their free agency plans Cowboys Executive Vice President Stephen Jones used the phrase “ selectively aggressive”. If that’s anything similar to them being “All-in” last season then Cowboys fans are in for a long and dreadful offseason. After seeing the Philadelphia Eagles’ offseason moves lead them to a 40-22 Super Bowl victory, it surely set a fire under the front office, right?
It’s no secret seeing the Eagles lift the Lombardi Trophy and seeing the Washington Commanders in the NFC Conference Championship left a bad taste in the mouth of the fan base but does the front office have that same energy? The Cowboys have to attack free agency and 2025 has to be a year of vengeance for an organization that’s eager to end their championship drought.
Year of Vengeance for the Dallas Cowboys
First Stop, The NFL Combine
The NFL Combine has concluded and it’s safe to say this draft will be loaded with talent. Especially for teams looking for a running back or wide receiver, in this case, the Cowboys need both. Days three and four were extremely crucial for the making of the 2025 roster. Day three saw the quarterbacks, wide receivers, and running backs go through drills. All three positions should be at the top of the list for the Cowboys.
Day four was the offensive linemen. On February 20th, All-Pro and future Hall of Famer Zack Martin announced his retirement after spending 11 seasons in Dallas. The Cowboys now have a huge hole at right guard and may look to find his replacement in the draft. They’ve had their time to scout in Indianapolis, pro days are coming up soon, and draft-eligible players can meet at the club’s facilities starting April 16th. There’s a handful of options they can take with the 12th overall pick.
Fool Me Twice, Shame on Me
It’s plain and simple the Cowboys’ passing on Derrick Henry may go down as one of the biggest fumbles in Cowboys history. Arguably, it’s just as bad as the Leon Lett fumbles in the Super Bowl and Thanksgiving. Hopefully, last year’s mistakes won’t carry over to this year and one Cowboys superstar agrees.
All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons wants the Cowboys to be aggressive this time around. “ I don’t want to sit back and watch other teams build and us stay the same… I want to see us become aggressive and get some players that will make an impact.” The 2025 free agent class has a lot of players that’ll be immediately impactful. Players like Stefon Diggs, Amari Cooper, and Davante Adams are available, Cooper Kupp could be a potential trade target if the price is right. Considering Brandin Cooks is a free agent, CeeDee Lamb is in dire need of a weapon opposite of him.
The running back market is fairly thin, but Nick Chubb and Aaron Jones should be attractive names. Chubb, who is 29 years old, has played just 10 games in two seasons. Considering his 2022 season, when he was fully healthy, he finished with 1,525 yards and 12 touchdowns. If Chubb can remain healthy in Dallas, he’ll be a great addition.
The Cowboys had the opportunity to sign Jones last offseason but chose not to. Despite being 30 years of age he’s coming off career highs in carries (255) and yards (1,138), another name that could be great for a team in desperate need of a running back.
Keep It In House
There’s no doubt extending Parsons will be at the top of the bucket list but while he waits, defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa has received his payday. According to Adam Schefter, Odighizuwa and the Cowboys have agreed on a four-year, $80 million deal that includes $58 million guaranteed and a $20 million signing bonus. The Cowboys have locked up their guy and can now shift their attention to a Parsons extension and other internal free agents such as defensive back Jourdan Lewis.
Lewis is coming off arguably his best regular season since being drafted in 2017. Lewis recorded a career-high 71 total tackles and according to PFF, finished 14th among defensive backs with a 79 coverage grade. Lewis signed a one-year, $2.8 million contract last season with the Cowboys. If the price is right there’s no reason to not re-sign one of your better-underrated players.
Four-time Pro Bowler DeMarcus Lawrence is where it gets tricky for Dallas. On March 12th he is set to become a free agent. Lawrence has spent 11 years in Dallas and has stated he would love to remain in Dallas. “ I’m going to have other options, but I’d like to stay here. It would be a glorious thing. My family is here. I love it here. The fans love me here”, Lawrence told the Fort Worth-Star Telegram.
At the start of next season, he will be 33 years old, and due to injuries, he only played four games this past season. The duo of Parsons and Lawrence still ranks among the best in the league, but the front office must decide whether to keep them together or find a replacement for Lawrence.
Wide receiver and return specialist KaVontae Turpin is set to receive a second-round tender. He will be owed $5.34 million from the Cowboys. External teams still have the option of offering a contract to Turpin and if so, Dallas has the right to match it. If Dallas chooses to let Turpin sign elsewhere they would receive a second-round pick.
Turpin’s return to Dallas shouldn’t come as a surprise. The speedy and electric kick/punt returner was a First-team All-Pro last season and is a two-time Pro Bowler. Since joining the Cowboys in 2022, the star-studded returner has done nothing but make plays.
Main Image: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
