(Editor's Note: Who doesn't love lists? Throughout the season, 'High 5' will provide a top five list for many of the critical topics surrounding the Dallas Cowboys)
Throughout this past Wednesday's 'end of season' press conference, the Cowboys' front office was very clear. They want to bring back some key contributors from the 2025 team and mentioned a few of them by name. George Pickens was obviously a name with high interest, while Javonte Williams and Jadeveon Clowney also received praise. However, the list doesn't stop there when it comes to players Dallas could prioritize when building its 2026 roster.
The Cowboys are projected to fall over $30 million over the cap this offseason. But can clear nearly four times that number in cap space with extensions, restructures, and releases of some current players.
Without a clear look at the salary cap situation, or even who the new hire at defensive coordinator would want, looking internally to re-sign impact players may be the quickest way for Dallas to start the offseason. Let's look at the top priorities for Dallas to re-sign this offseason, as either restricted or unrestricted free agents.
5. T.J. Bass - In today's era of the NFL, teams just can't afford to let versatile offensive lineman walk out of the door. Bass was the only player on the Cowboys roster to tally at least 50 pass blocks without allowing a sack, and he did so over 198 total tries. Bass signed a three-year, $2.7 million deal as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and is set to become a restricted free agent this offseason.
Because he was undrafted, Dallas is in an interesting spot. They may have to place either a first-round or second-round tender on Bass because of the league-wide interest. Last season, even a second-round tender was worth $5.3 million, which is the minimum Dallas would owe Bass in his next contract. A decently steep price to pay for offensive line depth, but it may be worth it because of the lack of depth across the league.
4. Jadeveon Clowney - It was an explosive ending to Jadeveon Clowney's first season in Dallas. After signing with the Cowboys a few weeks into the season, the veteran defensive end made his presence felt sporadically throughout the year as a solid run-stopper and occasional pass-rush threat. But in the final two games of the regular season, Clowney took his game to the next level, registering 5.5 sacks and 7.0 tackles for loss against the Commanders and Giants.
Clowney has already been very complimentary towards Dallas and his time with the organization, but he enters his age 33 season as an unrestricted free agent. Meaning his window of earning is running thin and this could be his final opportunity for final career earnings. Will Dallas be willing to pay the going rate for a veteran edge rusher coming off an 8.5 sack season? That number could be anywhere from $5 million to $8 million, depending on how generous Clowney is feeling towards the organization who gave him a chance.
3. Brandon Aubrey - It's shocking that Brandon Aubrey could even be third on this list after establishing himself as one of the top kickers in the NFL over the last three seasons. Similar to Bass, because he was an undrafted free agent, playing the restricted free agent game could be risky with Aubrey.
Seeing that his success could warrant resetting the market at the kicker position, a first-round tender may not be enough to deter other teams from being interested. The highest paid kicker in the NFL is Harrison Butker, who signed a four-year $25.6 million contract in 2024, an average of $6.4 million per year. Aubrey's party will likely request a significant increase from Butker's number, and Dallas
2. Javonte Williams - After spending his 2025 free agency as an afterthought by most of the league, except for the Cowboys, Javonte Williams will likely get another crack at it this year. Williams put together a career-year with 1,201 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns after his previous best year came as a rookie in Denver, with 903 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Williams will likely not be a tag candidate and is an unrestricted free agent, meaning Dallas would need to work quickly to extend his contract before the start of the new legal tampering period on March 9. Cowboys Executive Vice President Stephen Jones did not shy away from this possibility during the Wednesday press conference, stating "We want to bring him back and sign him to a multiple-year deal."
1. George Pickens - No matter what the expectations were for Pickens entering 2025, no one could've seen this coming. He set new career highs with 1,429 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, while overshadowing CeeDee Lamb's season-long production. Because of the way Pickens' tenure with the Steelers ended in May, it was imperative for a clean and productive contract season. He exceeded that and had a career-defining one instead.
It's likely Dallas will use the franchise tag on Pickens if a long-term deal is not completed by the March 3 tag deadline. This would ensure he'd be in Dallas for 2026 but also serve as a negotiation placeholder until a longer deal could be reached between the two parties. Either way, Dallas is preparing to dish out some cash to retain Pickens on the nearly $29 million franchise tag, or as one of the highest-paid wide receiver deals in the league.
