FRISCO, Texas – On March 9, the NFL's legal tampering period will begin for pending free agents.
The Cowboys will have their fair share of free agents on the roster, which of course they can agree to terms with and sign at any time before that period.
From unrestricted free agents to restricted and exclusive rights free agents, Dallas has a lot of decisions to make over the next month when it comes to how they want to construct their roster for 2026, and even beyond.
With that, we'll examine each pending free agent on the Cowboys' current roster, continuing today with unrestricted free agent Hakeem Adeniji.
How He Got Here
A native of Garland, Texas who went to Kansas, Adeniji has some experience under his belt before he signed with the Cowboys last April.
In four seasons from 2020-23, Adeniji played 43 games in the regular season, along with seven more in the playoffs with the Bengals, including Super Bowl LVI in 2021 against the Rams.
The Cowboys signed him for depth purposes in April, just a few weeks before the NFL Draft. While he went to camp with the team, he was released at the end of the preseason but then brought back after the start of the season.
What He Did in 2025
Brought in to provide not only experience to the rather young group, but Adeniji's position flex was also a reason the Cowboys wanted to sign him, with the chance he could play up to four positions.
Turns out, Adeniji was able to give the Cowboys all of that. He was considered a valuable locker-room addition, being 28 years old, tied with Terence Steele as the oldest in the O-line room. But Adeniji has played mostly tackle in his career, but his only start for the Cowboys in 2025, occurred at left guard. With the Cowboys banged up on the line, playing without starters Tyler Smith, Tyler Booker and Cooper Beebe, Adeniji filled in at left guard and helped pave the way for an 180-yard rushing day. Ironically, Adeniji matched up quite a bit against Quinnen Williams, who was a member of the Jets that day before being traded to Dallas later in the season.
Overall, Adeniji played offense in six games, some at guard, tackle and even at times in a jumbo package as an extra tight end in short-yardage situations.
Why He Could Stay
Adeniji provides things that all teams need on the line – depth, experience and flexibility. He even gives the team more with his willingness to help the young players such as Nate Thomas, Tyler Guyton at tackle and all of the interior players as well, who are a few years younger than Adeniji.
When you factor in that Adeniji is from nearby Garland, Texas and grew up here, it might be a destination for him as well as long as the price is right.
Why He Could Leave
There could just be less seats at the table for a player who is 28 and not projected to be a starter. A lot might depend on what happens with restricted free agents T.J. Bass and Brock Hoffman. Those two could be brought back for depth purposes as well. When you factor in Thomas, Guyton and perhaps Terence Steele at tackle, plus last year's rookie Ajani Cornelius, there could just be not enough spots for a player such as Adeniji.
That being said, just because he's not on the team right away doesn't mean there isn't value for an experienced vet closer to the start of the season, especially one who can play multiple spots.
