Offseason decisions begin now.
The Cowboys could save at least $2.5 million in 2026 by placing the franchise tag on George Pickens
Acquired in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers in early May, Pickens was phenomenal for Dallas during the 2025 season, ranking eighth in the NFL in receptions (93), third in receiving yards (1,429), sixth in yards per reception (15.4), and tied for eighth in receiving touchdowns (nine) en route to earning his first trip to the Pro Bowl.
Sure, CeeDee Lamb being sidelined for a few weeks helped, but this was still a monster campaign. Some were concerned about Pickens’ behavioral issues in Pittsburgh, but outside of a few minor incidents in which he appeared to check out, he was seemingly a model teammate for most of the season, which is why Dak Prescott, Brian Schottenheimer, and even Jerry Jones himself have all expressed desire to bring him back.
According to Spotrac, Pickens’ market value could see him land a four-year deal worth $122,425,436, making his average annual salary a robust $30,606,359 per season, which would make him the seventh-highest-paid receiver in the league.
According to Over The Cap, however, the projected franchise tag figure for a wide receiver for the 2026 season is $28,046,000.
Thank you, Chicago.
DE Marcus Spears, 2005
Dallas would wait another six years before picking 20th again.
As soon as their previous 20th overall pick (Ebenezer Ekuban) left in free agency, the Cowboys immediately picked a player at the same position with the same pick.
Marcus Spears was actually the Cowboys’ second pick that day after selecting future Hall of Fame DE DeMarcus Ware with the 11th pick.
Spears injected some life into the defensive line and locker room, and stayed with the Cowboys playing under Bill Parcells.
In eight seasons in Dallas, Spears collected 10.0 sacks and 23 tackles for loss before signing a one-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens.
Spears called it quits after that lone season in Baltimore, but his impact in Dallas will never be forgotten.
Jaydon Blue remains a question mark after the 2025 season.
If you would have asked Dallas Cowboys fans immediately after the draft which new player they were most excited to see in 2025, many of them would probably place running back Jayden Blue at the top of their list. Blue, a 5-foot-9, 195-pound RB from Texas, was a hometown favorite. He had a highlight reel that dropped jaws and he played a position the Cowboys seemed to be desperately thin at heading into 2025. The table was set for him to make an impact.
As it happens the RB situation in Dallas didn’t unfold like anyone would have imagined. Javonte Williams, a low-cost veteran offseason addition, outplayed all logical expectations and became the unquestioned bell cow in the Cowboys’ backfield. Bell, on the other hand, struggled to even get on the gameday roster.
Rumors circulated around training camp regarding the rookie’s dedication to the game and the Cowboys coaching staff’s trust in Blue. These concerns seemed validated in 2025 with Blue frequently landing as a healthy scratch on gameday. It wasn’t until Week 18 when Dallas’ top two rushers were out when Blue finally got his shot to really run the ball.
In Blue’s extremely limited action, he impressed. He might not have played with power or stoutness, but he showed the speed, patience and elusiveness that made him a fan darling in the first place. None of this was overly surprising since the real question with Blue was whether or not he understood his pass protection responsibilities enough to be trusted. In that aspect he gets an “incomplete” grade since the Cowboys coaching staff appeared to strategically shield him from most of those critical situations.
The hunt continues.
”After the Cowboys conducted three interviews for their vacant DC spot, the organization has plans to interview more people next week,” Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News wrote.
“Jim Leonhard spoke to club officials on Saturday. He was the last of the initial 3 candidates to have an interview.”
Flores interviewed for head coaching vacancies last week, and will be free to interview for defensive coordinator openings this week, beginning on Wednesday. Let’s hope Flores is one of the names the team brings in for a talk.
Whoever takes over in Dallas will have a difficult task at hand. The Cowboys ranked No. 30 in the league in total defense, allowing 377 total yards per game, including what is, unfortunately, a league-high 60 touchdowns. Dallas also ranked last in the NFL in passing defense, at No. 32, allowing 251.5 yards per game and 35 passing touchdowns, the second-highest total behind the New York Jets, who failed to record an interception in 2025.
Draft preparations begin now that Dallas’ picks are locked in.
Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
The Cowboys desperately need to improve their pass rush over the next few months. Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell is expected to be a top five pass rusher drafted this April behind Rueben Bain Jr. and David Bailey, and in the mix with Auburn’s Keldric Faulk and Clemson’s TJ Parker as the third pass rusher drafted.
Howell is a little on the smaller side, but shows impressive explosiveness, awareness, and flexibility when turning corners. Howell is an older prospect and paired with his lack of size and length, we could see him fall a bit in this year’s draft class, but Howell has the production and tape to be a first-round pick and a borderline first-round-graded player in the 2026 NFL draft.
