(Editor's Note: Time to check the mail! The DallasCowboys.com staff writers answer your questions here in 'Mailbag' presented by Miller Lite.)
What position do you think would be better addressed in free agency than by this year's draft class? – Brady Robins/Tooele, UT
Kurt: As has already been discussed many times, the Cowboys defense has so many holes to fill that pretty much every position except defensive tackle would benefit from a free agent acquisition. And you can bet the team will add free agents at every level of the defense in an effort to improve the unit.
The question is, Where will they "bust the budget" to bring in a true impact player?
For me, cornerback is where the money should really be spent, for two reasons. First, there is no sure thing at the position currently on the Cowboys roster. DaRon Bland, who they desperately need to return to his former self, will be coming off his second foot surgery in as many years. He fought through the issue as best he could during the 2025 campaign, but he just wasn't the same player who earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in 2023.
Unfortunately, after Bland on the cornerback depth chart is simply a lot of hopeful promise. Young players like Shavon Revel and Caelen Carson have flashed talent, but hampered by injuries themselves, whether they can truly take a big step forward in 2026 is a legitimate unknown.
Secondly, when it comes to transitioning from college to the NFL, cornerback is one of the toughest positions for incoming rookies to play. Not only are they having to learn more intricate defenses and reads, these prospects also have the added pressure of being out on an island trying to cover some of the best athletes in the game.
In addition, know how many rookie cornerbacks have made the Pro Bowl? According to Pro Football Reference, just 18 since 1967 with Everson Walls being the only Cowboy (1981). Meaning, expecting a rookie to come into the league and immediately be a shutdown corner is a big ask.
Should they use a draft pick, even a high one, on a cornerback this year? Of course. But given the challenges, I don't think the Cowboys can go into this season relying solely on the hope that these young guys will pan out. They need to spend money on a veteran free agent who has already proven he can be a true defender in the pass-happy NFL.
Nick: If we're talking about just free agency, then I think you have to look at defensive end and pass rusher. Not only do I think that is the root of the problem with the defense and that Micah Parsons covered up a lot of other issues maybe in the back end because of his elite, rushing ability, I'm not sure you can count on getting an immediate impact rusher in the first round.
Even though you have two first-round picks, it seems like two of the best ones are going to be gone by No. 12 and after that it's hard to expect anyone to come right in and dominate like you need them to. I'm not saying you don't look at pass rusher in the draft, but I would definitely try and cover my tracks and at least add a veteran or two in free agency. I think Jadeveon Clowney could be one of those but I definitely believe the cowboy should spend a little more money and get one of the best pass rushers they can acquire in free agency.
If you do that, then you can definitely let the draft fall like it should. If that means linebacker and cornerback are the picks or linebacker and safety that would be great. Even if one of the rushers that you like fall in your lap, then you can still draft him as well because you can never have too many on the edge. But if the Cowboys don't fully address their problem at defensive end then it's gonna be hard for me to believe the defense is going to be a lot better in 2026.
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