One of the Dallas Cowboys’ biggest issues defensively in recent years has been staying healthy. With this potential free agency addition, they add depth and leadership to the defensive unit.
Matt Eberflus took over as the Dallas Cowboys‘ defensive coordinator during the offseason, as part of Brian Schottenheimer‘s new staff. They’re hoping to have a healthy season in 2025, but there is an opportunity to add further depth and experience via free agency.
Latest prediction suggests Cowboys add free agent linebacker
The Dallas Cowboys put a clear focus on the defensive side of the ball on day two of the 2025 draft. After selecting Tyler Booker to bolster the offensive line on day one, they picked defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku in the second round and cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. in round three.
Ezeiruaku had an impressive 16.5 sacks in the 2024 college football season while playing for Boston College. That included a 3.5 sack game against Pitt, three sacks against Western Kentucky, and four more multi-sack games in his final season.
Shavon Revel was considered one of the best cornerbacks in the draft, but slipped down to the third round due to a torn ACL in 2024. He suffered the injury in September of the 2024 season, cutting his final year of eligibility short before he entered the draft.
Dallas will be hoping that both can be high-impact players early in their careers, as they look to turn the tide on a miserable season last time out.
The Cowboys finished the 2024 season with a 7-10 record, while Dak Prescott missed the second half of the season through injury.
One of the injuries they’re still dealing with is the devastating knee injury suffered by linebacker DeMarvion Overshown. He had already missed his entire rookie season in 2023, and is now facing an uphill battle to get back to full fitness in 2025.
Overshown tore the three major ligaments in his knee, the ACL, LCL and PCL. It’s not an easy injury to come back from, and it will take time for him to get back to full speed. In his absence, the Cowboys may need to consider additional depth, and there are multiple veterans available.
Eric Kendricks was with the Cowboys last season, but he’s now a free agent again. In 2025, the Cowboys could instead opt for former New England Patriots linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley, as detailed in NFL Analysis’ latest free agency update.
Bentley tore his left pec in Week 2 of the 2024 season, costing him the rest of the year. However, before that injury, he’d recorded 100+ tackles in each of the last three seasons and been a leader for the Patriots defense.
Bentley was released by the Patriots earlier in the offseason and is now available to play elsewhere in 2025. There are no signs that he isn’t healthy and he’s still just 28 years old.
There’s plenty of tread left on the tires, and Bentley would slot into Overshown’s role nicely, even if as a rotational piece.
Cowboys’ cap space in 2025
Dallas is currently estimated to have $32 million in cap space for the upcoming season, which would give them the space to make a couple more signings before training camp.
They do need to negotiate an extension for Micah Parsons, which has been a major topic of conversation throughout the offseason so far. Parsons is out of contract at the end of the 2025 season, putting the Cowboys on the clock to get a deal done as soon as possible.
According to Spotrac, he could sign a deal upwards of $36 million per year, resulting in a four-year, $145 million contract with the Cowboys. Myles Garrett signed for $40 million a year this offseason, while Maxx Crosby’s contract came in at $35.5 million per season.
