The NFL Draft is finally upon us. Before the first round gets underway on April 24, let's recap what the Cowboys have done so far this offseason.
Whether it was re-signing their own players, adding new ones in free agency or making a few trades, the Cowboys were rather active in reshaping the roster under first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer.
So let's take a closer look at what each position currently looks like, moving onto the defensive tackle room next.
What Happened: In the past, Matt Eberflus has called the three-technique defensive tackle the "engine" of his defense, and the Cowboys got him his guy by signing Osa Odighizuwa to a four-year extension. Odighizuwa and Micah Parsons have been the staples of Dallas' defensive front since they both were drafted in the 2021 class, and will continue to be for years to come with Parsons' extension more than likely coming at some point in the future. They also signed veteran Solomon Thomas to a two-year deal, reuniting him with his defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton after they spent time together with the New York Jets. He's a versatile piece that can line up off the EDGE or inside and has shown he can produce in rotational roles in the past with the Jets, Raiders and 49ers. He'll likely do the same in Dallas, and is highly regarded around the league for being a man of high character and a great leadership presence, as he was the Jets' Walter Payton Man of the Year award nominee in 2024.
What's Up: The same question that people asked going into the 2024 season is the one that'll be asked again going into 2025: Can Mazi Smith take the next step in his development? Statistically, he did in 2024, jumping from 13 tackles to 41 in 17 starts, but there's still more that he needs to show to live up to the first-round selection that the Cowboys used on him in 2023. Eberflus has said that he's excited about working with Smith, and he has a history of developing good front sevens that excel at stopping the run. Whitecotton and Eberflus' work with Smith will be a big piece of the 2025 season for Dallas' defense. Then, what about Justin Rogers and Denzel Daxon? Can they step up and find a way into the rotation for the Cowboys, or is there still work that needs to be done? We'll find out, but with the current roster outlook, they have an opportunity in front of them.
What's Next: Speaking of the roster outlook, the Cowboys currently only have five defensive tackles signed to their active roster. They're going to need more bodies in the 2025 season, so expect a pick or two in the NFL Draft to be utilized on the position, especially at one-technique to push Mazi Smith for playing time. The good news for Dallas is that this draft class is loaded with defensive tackles, and the Cowboys themselves have said that they love the depth at the position this year. The question is, how early do they take one? If it's not in the first three rounds, can they find a quality player on Day 3 that can serve as a reliable rotational player or even a starter if Smith can't take the next step? That's one of the many questions that the organization is going to have to answer as we get to within a week of the NFL Draft starting, in what's shaping up to be a crucial class for the Cowboys. Additionally, could Dallas look to the free agent market to sign a defensive tackle if they need another body? Everything is on the table.
