FRISCO, Texas — Although NFL free agency never actually ends, the annual spending spree portion of the program is officially in the rearview mirror. Breaking from their traditional edict, the Dallas Cowboys were active right out of the gate during legal tampering, a sign they truly do understand the assignment for 2026.
That assignment is to rebuild the defense, hence the trade for edge rusher Rashan Gary and the signing of safeties Jalen Thompson and P.J. Locke, and cornerback Cobie Durant, also trading Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas in preparation to continue shaping that side of the ball in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The offense wasn't completely quiet, however, with running back Javonte Williams re-signing to a three-year deal being the headliner in that regard and, with the draft only a few weeks away, it's time to take a look at the depth chart to see how things are shaping up.
Up first, the starting lineup on offense and special teams:
Quarterback
- Dak Prescott
The Cowboys restructured the All-Pro quarterback's deal this offseason for more cap flexibility, so not much to report there, outside of Sam Howell being one of only two offensive additions from outside the building so far, pitted against Joe Milton going forward for the QB2 mantle.
Running back
- Javonte Williams
As noted, the talented young running back parlayed his prove-it deal into a proven 2025 season and a multi-year deal that saw him opt for less money to stick around in Dallas. Williams is the definitive RB1, leaving RB2 up for grabs in a big way, Jaydon Blue looking to take ownership of it, but Phil Mafah plans to make that battle very difficult for him — assuming either can overtake Malik Davis after his best season as a pro.
Wide receiver
- CeeDee Lamb
- George Pickens
As it stands, Pickens is franchise tagged, and barring an unexpected occurrence, the Cowboys expect him on the field for them in 2026. Time will tell if the two sides get a deal done by mid-July to rescind the tag, but the Pickens-Lamb combo is scheduled to return for at least one more season. Ryan Flournoy has officially secured the WR3 role behind the duo, and rightfully so, after a career season that ultimately pushed Jalen Tolbert (and Jalen Brooks) out the door.
Tight end
- Jake Ferguson
- Luke Schoonmaker
Ferguson looked nearly back to form for a large chunk of 2025, after battling a knee sprain and concussion the year prior, finally getting off of the touchdown schnide as well. Schoonmaker is entering a contract year and if he wants to stave off a surging Brevyn Spann-Ford for the role of TE2 beside Ferguson, he'll likely need to have the best season of professional career.
Offensive tackle
- Terence Steele
- Tyler Guyton
Like Prescott, Steele's contract was restructured and, as a bookkeeping note, that means the Cowboys weren't kidding about keeping their starting right tackle in place. The actual concern lies at left tackle anyway, where Guyton absolutely must deliver a fully healthy season to both solidify Prescott's blindside and to keep the Cowboys from moving All-Pro left guard Tyler Smith to a spot he clearly doesn't want to play, regardless of how effective he is at doing it.
Offensive guard/Center
- Tyler Smith
- Cooper Beebe
- Tyler Booker
The current plan is for Smith to stay put at left guard, but that isn't written in stone yet. Assuming he does, it'll be he and Beebe lined up on the interior with Booker, the latter having an impressive showing as a rookie and whose upside is seemingly without limits as he works to replace the almighty Zack Martin. It gets interesting behind that trio, with the decision to let Brock Hoffman walk and to tender T.J. Bass combining with the signing of Matt Hennessy to change the depth look on this position chart.
Special teams
- Brandon Aubrey
- KaVontae Turpin
- Bryan Anger
- Trent Sieg
With a second-round tender placed on Aubrey, he'll likely be in Dallas when the season gets underway in September, though both sides are hoping for a deal to get done before then. Turpin doesn't have that concern, seeing as he's on a longterm deal, but the All-Pro returner is looking to get back on the right side of dominance after a down season with his new coordinator. Anger remains of the most lethal field position weapons in the league and Sieg is the definition of dependable, so Dallas is all set there as well.
