The Dallas Cowboys entered the 2026 offseason with a clear mission: overhaul the league’s most porous defense. With two first-round picks in their arsenal, they zeroed in on bolstering the pass rush and shoring up the secondary. While free-agent signings like Jalen Thompson, Cobie Durant, and Jonathan Bullard added valuable depth, the Cowboys were on the hunt for top-tier talent.
Enter Caleb Downs, a selection poised to address many of the questions lingering in their safety lineup. Downs promises to be a formidable slot defender for Dallas.
Yet, the burning question remains: have they adequately addressed their pass-rushing woes? The departures of Dante Fowler and Jadeveon Clowney leave a gap that still needs filling.
Aaron Schatz of ESPN recently highlighted each NFL team’s primary need as the summer looms, pinpointing the Cowboys’ lack of pass rush as a significant concern. Schatz’s analysis of the Cowboys’ EDGE rushers paints a picture of a unit still in flux heading into the 2026 season.
Rashan Gary, a new acquisition from Green Bay, didn’t record a sack in the last ten games of the previous season. Donovan Ezeiruaku is recovering from hip surgery, limiting his offseason participation.
Sam Williams managed just one sack in 2025. James Houston, while notching 5.5 sacks, struggled against the run.
Marist Liufau is transitioning to the edge, a position he’s yet to play, and rookie Malachi Lawrence, though promising, is still just that-a rookie.
The Cowboys’ first offseason move was trading a 2027 fourth-round pick for Rashan Gary, promptly restructuring his deal. Gary’s current cap hit reflects his role as a solid run defender and a middle-of-the-road pass rusher, a fit for the Cowboys’ needs.
Yet, the real splash was drafting Malachi Lawrence at No. 23, an explosive edge rusher hailing from Central Florida. While Lawrence’s athleticism is undeniable, his skills as a pass rusher and run defender are still developing.
Some voices in the NFL community remain unconvinced that the Cowboys have done enough to fortify their pass rush.
Schatz’s skepticism isn’t unfounded. Rookie pass rushers often face a steep learning curve, particularly those drafted outside the top ten. Donovan Ezeiruaku serves as a cautionary tale; despite being a more polished pass rusher than Lawrence when entering the league, his performance last season was inconsistent.
The futures of Marist Liufau and Sam Williams with the team are uncertain, with Williams returning on a near veteran minimum deal. The Cowboys’ roster could certainly benefit from another seasoned pass rusher, but options are limited as the season approaches.
The Cowboys are well aware that transforming a defense isn’t an overnight task. They’ve made strategic moves to position themselves as a stronger defensive unit in 2026. Securing another proven pass rusher to complement Gary, Ezeiruaku, and Lawrence could significantly elevate the defense’s potential.
Keep an eye on the Cowboys as they potentially explore the markets for players like Joey Bosa and Haason Reddick. While they’ve made commendable progress in revamping their pass-rush group, the journey to defensive dominance continues.
