The Cowboys need defensive help and have been urged to look within the division for it.
FRISCO - Most observers agree that the Dallas Cowboys' defense is in urgent need of an overhaul, and many will also agree that the franchise has made moves this offseason to improve that 2025 NFL-worst unit.
Free agency was somewhat fruitful, with a couple of starters and rotational players coming to The Star. And the signing of kicker Brandon Aubrey? That creates a positive vibe inside The Star as well.
But ... the NFL Draft is where the rebuild can be turbocharged. And it can be done in a number of ways.
Holding the No. 12 and No. 20 picks, the Cowboys, in theory, could get two starters for new coordinator Christian Parker. That is, to many, the ideal scenario.
But there are also talks of the Cowboys potentially being involved in trades. We know about the reported desire to lure Jordyn Brooks to Dallas from Miami, which we think would require a third-round pick. And we've sniffed around on the idea of Dallas giving up something similar to pry EDGE guys like Alex Highsmith or Nick Herbig from the Steelers.
However, there is another player that Bleacher Report's Alex Kay thinks the Cowboys should go after.
And that's New York Giants defensive end, Kayvon Thibodeaux.
"Given the contract situation and fading production, New York isn't likely to garner any offers better than a late-Day 2 or early-Day 3 pick for his services," Kay wrote.
"While his recent efforts don't quite warrant that sort of capital, Thibodeaux is still only 25 years old and has shown he can be a double-digit sack contributor when healthy and motivated.
"Trading for Thibodeaux is the type of gamble the Cowboys must make if they are going to make significant defensive strides in 2026 following last year's abysmal showing."
B/R is wrong about one thing: There is no "gamble the Cowboys must make.''
On the cusp of the start of Thursday's draft, they are engaging in some conversations, as Jerry and Stephen Jones acknowledged here inside The Star on Wednesday.
Said COO Stephen: "Nothing concrete.''
Said owner Jerry: 'You could imagine ... some options. Yes (we've made/received calls).'
Added coach Brian Schottenheimer: "We want guys who can come in and help now.''
Can that be about a veteran? The problem with the concept in general is that Dallas will need to know what it's getting - or what it's likely to get - with those early picks.
Stephen did add, though, that there has been talk of trading for a veteran.
"I think we did a lot to improve our football team, but we didn't check every box,'' he conceded.
Want "culture''? Washington free agent linebacker Bobby Wagner would be your guy.
But "Thibs''?
We wonder whether Schottenheimer and his vaulted "culture'' is something that works for a player in Kayvon who, according to reports, may have some off-field concerns?
We say that the idea of a Dallas Draft-time trade for a veteran, as it sets now, makes it far too early to pinpoint a "must'' veteran trade.
That goes for Brooks and it goes for Highsmith/Herbig and it certainly goes for Thibodeaux, who to us is a media idea more than it is a Cowboys idea.