The Cowboys are now in a position where they don't have to draft for need in the first round, thanks to their free agency approach.
In an ideal NFL offseason world, teams fill needs in free agency, which then allows them to draft the best player available, and for the Dallas Cowboys, it is up for debate if they've done that.
Granted, the franchise has been active in free agency, signing Rashan Gary, PJ Locke, Jalen Thompson, Derion Kendrick, and Cobie Durant for Christian Parker's defense.
On offense, Matt Hennessy and Sam Howell have been added to the roster as depth pieces.
But there is still a lot of work that has to be done before this defense can be seen as one that can improve in 2026.
Corner, linebacker, and pass rush are still positions of need as Dallas' attention turns towards the draft.
And for head coach Brian Schottenheimer, Dallas' free agency approach has it set up well for the draft.
"I think it starts with the guys we brought back first and foremost," Schottenheimer said. "I'm always going to start with George and Javonte, guys we've signed back on the offensive side of the ball. Getting a chance to get a guy like Rashan Gary just a incredible football player.
"Jalen Thompson, I love his energy. We played them this year. Cobie Durant. There's been just a ton of guys. I think we did a really good job setting ourselves up to be able to draft natural and draft pure, which is what you want to do. You don't want to have to be forced to reach for a player. That's when you make mistakes."
And the Cowboys know better than most that reaching is a mistake.
Look no further than Mazi Smith and Luke Schoonmaker.
But it appears the Cowboys have learned their lesson.
With the free-agent additions, the franchise has plugged several holes ahead of the draft, and with two first-round picks and multiple positions of need, it isn't pushed into a corner at any one position.
Our own Mike Fisher stated that the Cowboys could look to add a veteran linebacker before the draft, which would then ease the pressure to take one early.
Despite the additions in the secondary, the corner still feels like a need with LSU's Mansoor Delane an option.
But despite the outside noise, the Cowboys feel content in their work during free agency.
Now, to see what this "drafting natural and pure" approach brings to Cowboys Nation.