(Note: The content provided is based on opinions and/or perspective of the DallasCowboys.com editorial staff and not the Cowboys football staff or organization.)
FRISCO, TX — With Christian Parker now officially introduced as the Dallas Cowboys' newest defensive coordinator and his staff completed, it's time for the rubber to meet the road on that side of the ball. To put it plainly, the defense in Dallas stunk up the joint in 2025, and Parker's job is to make it more fragrant than it's been in decades.
To do so, he'll first have to look at positions of need, and there are several, but one could argue that the most pressing is at the edge (more on that in another writeup) and linebacker. The latter was in dire straits last season under the instruction of Matt Eberflus, and that's saying the least.
The absence of DeMarvion Overshown due to injury loomed large in the team's free agency approach, signing Jack Sanborn and trading for Kenneth Murray to try and help the situation alongside a promising second-year talent in Marist Liufau, but Liufau was effectively handcuffed, Sanborn didn't finish the season and Murray was maligned for his play; and Logan Wilson was officially waived shortly after Christian Parker finalized his staff.
With Overshown now fully healthy and having several games under his belt following his post-bye return, Liufau champing at the bit to show Parker what he can do and Shemar James, a rookie standout with good upside and a motor that won't quit, it feels as if the Cowboys are one splash move away at linebacker from blowing the lid off of the position, finally.
Welcome to this year's Open Market series.
What's Here
Kenneth Murray: To put it plainly, the experiment to see if the Cowboys could unlock Murray didn't work. To be fair to Murray though, his struggles were as rooted in the schematic issues of Matt Eberflus as it was anything but, to be fair to others like Marist Liufau, Murray also got chance after chance after chance by that same coordinator — things simply not working out for him, save for a splash play or two. The seventh-round pick sent to the Titans to acquire him isn't that big of a deal for a test drive at a position of need, but the Cowboys can do better in this year's free agency. (Market value: $4.9M annually)
Jack Sanborn: Another acquisition orchestrated by Eberflus, Sanborn fared even worse than Murray did in 2025. Signed as a free agent in last year's spree, he was looked upon to lead the unit but his rocky start was followed by a groin injury that wound up ending his season in early November. His five starts in six games left much to be desired both from a production standpoint and in assessing his availability. Again, the Cowboys can do better in this year's free agency and, no, that wasn't an echo. (Market value: $2.1M annually)
What's Out There
Note: These players will be unrestricted on March 11, barring a newly-signed deal with their incumbent team prior to that date. (Market value, when available, provided by Spotrac)
Nakobe Dean: If you're on the Cowboys' defensive staff and you've coached Nakobe Dean, directly and/or indirectly, raise your hand. One … two … three … OK. Christian Parker coached Dean for the Eagles and, prior to him getting the nod as their third-round pick in 2022, there was Chidera Uzo-Diribe and Robert Muschamp winning a national championship at Georgia with him. With so much familiarity, and Dean's ceiling only slowed by a couple bouts with injury that he's since returned to form from, you can bet his name will come up in Dallas. (Market value: $7.9M annually)
Quay Walker: Similar to Dean, save for the Parker influence at the NFL level, Walker is a national champion from Georgia that excelled on the very same defense that included the efforts of Uzo-Diribe and Muschamp. A former first-round pick of the Packers in 2022, it can rightfully be said that he's not fully realized his ability at the professional level yet, but it's also true he's impacted games and shown what he's capable of. Reunite him with the Georgia coaches (and introduce him to Scott Symons), combine him with Liufau, DeMarvion Overshown and Shemar James and something special might occur. (Market value: $8.3M annually)
Bobby Wagner: Ah, the Timeless One that I've been lobbying for, and for years now. I honestly don't know how many times the Cowboys are going to pass on the future Hall of Famer only to realize he's still a game-wrecker despite being 35 years old. His age makes for a short-term deal, possibly two years with an out after the first, to get both high-level production and a teacher for Liufau, Overshown and James; and that alone is worth the price of admission — though you'll get far more than just that mentorship. (Market value: $9.5M annually)
Devin Bush Jr.: Like Walker, Bush is a former first-round pick but, unlike Walker, he's already made his rounds through three NFL teams before arriving in this year's free agency market. His most recent stint was a one-year, $3.25 million deal in 2025, with the Browns, where he was a key part of one of the best defenses in the league. He started in all 17 games, earned an AFC Defensive Player of the Week honor and finished with the second-highest tackle count in Cleveland; and that's not to mention the two forced fumbles, three interceptions and two pick-sixes … as a linebacker. (Market value: $8.9M annually)
Also Keep An Eye On: Kaden Elliss, Alex Anzalone
P.S. Devin Lloyd's projected market value is $20.1 million annually, so take him off of Dallas' wish list.
