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FRISCO, Texas — The safety position isn't in dire straits like other positions on the Dallas Cowboys' roster, e.g., cornerback, but that doesn't mean everything is rosy there, either. Fact is, there's work to be done to figure out how things will shape up on that depth chart for defensive coordinator Christian Parker.
That's especially true as he works to change the defensive scheme, but also in looking for the best possible players to build the scheme around, and there are two in-house free agents whose future will help determine the future at the position, namely, Donovan Wilson and Juanyeh Thomas, after Markquese Bell landed a multi-year extension in 2025.
With that, let's take a look at Wilson and Thomas, and the options in free agency should they no longer be in Dallas in 2026.
Welcome to this year's Open Market series (full series is inside the link).
What's Here
Donovan Wilson: Things are "fluid" regarding Wilson, per the Cowboys front office, and that is far from a guarantee of his return. This will mark his third contract with the Cowboys, if he's retained, and there's reason to keep him onboard ... but only if he's going to be deployed correctly. Under Dan Quinn, Wilson flourished as one of the best strong safeties in football — a downhill missile in the box. Mike Zimmer and Matt Eberflus attempted to turn him into a cover safety, and though he led the Cowboys in interceptions (2) last season, it's simply not his strong suit. So if the former captain and locker room favorite is not going to be utilized by Christian Parker as the heat-seeking missile he was born to be, what's the point? (Market value: $6.9M annually)
Juanyeh Thomas: One year ago, Thomas was an exclusive rights free agent with no control of his future, but who also found himself still wanted by the Cowboys as a high-upside young safety that is also one of the most versatile on the roster. His 2025 season was mostly derailed though, as he battled an onset of cluster migraines he fought to return from only to immediately return to injured reserve, ending his season. As a restricted free agent, Thomas will have the right to negotiate with the other 31 teams for the first time in his career, and the Cowboys can match any offer or let him depart; and if they place a tender on him, they'll receive compensation for the loss.
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)
Reed Blankenship, Kevin Byard: There's a very clear and obvious connection here between Blankenship and Parker. The possibility of Blankenship landing in Dallas — the same applying to Byard — would depend largely upon what happens with Malik Hooker, and not necessarily Donovan Wilson. That's because Blankenship and Byard are free safeties and, at their projected asking price, not in a backup role, and Hooker is earning less at $6.5 million in 2026.
So, while Blankenship and Byard are free agency options, I believe their only path to the Cowboys involves Hooker being gone and, at this moment, there are no whispers of that happening. But, if it happens, Byard earned his third First-team All-Pro nod in 2025, and could definitely be viewed as a possible upgrade at the position by some. (Market value: $7.5M annually)
Nick Cross, Alohi Gilman: Cross could enter as a more-than-solid replacement at safety (able to play free or strong) if Wilson is allowed to walk, previously being a piece of an exceptional Colts defensive unit. The former third-round (2022) pick out of Maryland, Cross has played in all but one regular season game since entering the league and he started in all 34 over the last two seasons — 266 combined tackles, four interceptions, 10 pass break ups, two forced fumbles and 3.5 sacks during that span.
Gilman falls in the same category of potential replacement, having done good things for the Ravens after being traded by the Chargers to acquire an impact edge rusher for a potential playoff run, and showing some versatility to play as either a free or strong safety. He doesn't take the ball away in the air as well as Cross, hence the lower price, but he's one to consider in the same breath. (Market value: $4.1M - $6.1M annually)
CJ Gardner-Johnson: Admittedly, I wouldn't be overtly pressed to leap up and offer either CJGJ or Blackmon a deal before investigating better options named above, or just draft Caleb Downs with the 12th-overall pick (should the football gods deem it so) and prosper accordingly.
That said, while I have issues with CJGJ's durability and consistency, he's proven and can still flash at times, and could help at nickel sometimes, just often enough for a deal that's slightly above the veteran minimum as a backup piece (read: with a possible out during/after training camp). (Market value: $2.3M)
Ar'Darius Washington: There's a great chance Washington would love to come back to his second home to try and extend his NFL career. The Shreveport native made his name at the collegiate level for TCU, less than 45 minutes (on an OK traffic day) west of downtown Dallas in Fort Worth. Washington is a former Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year (2019) and Freshman All-American that passed on his last two seasons of eligibility during the pandemic to enter the NFL.
It didn't pan out well, seeing as he went undrafted, and he'd then suffer a season-ending foot injury a few months later. He'd recover and claw his way to a key role for the Ravens in 2024, re-signing in Baltimore before tearing his Achilles in April 2025. Washington would return to football in December, but it's clear a homecoming would only make sense as a low-cost, potentially high-payoff backup and special teamer. (Market value: $1.8M annually)
VIP Club ($10M - $14.5M annually)
- Kamren Curl
- Bryan Cook
