Rebuilding the Cowboys' defense starts with cornerback and edge rusher, shoring up weaknesses that have cost them in crucial January games.
The Dallas Cowboys are staring down a familiar but uncomfortable offseason reality: talent exists, but the roster still has cracks that matter in January.
On a recent episode of “The Dallas Cowboys Daily Blitz LIVE,” host Timm “IndyCarTim” Hamm laid out a clear-eyed blueprint for how Dallas should attack its most pressing needs heading into 2026, and it starts with honesty.
The biggest takeaway? This isn’t about chasing headlines. It’s about fixing problems that repeatedly show up against elite teams.
According to Hamm, the Cowboys’ top two needs sit squarely on defense: cornerback and edge rusher.
Cornerback, in particular, feels less like a luxury and more like a survival issue. Injuries, inconsistency, and a lack of proven depth leave Dallas thin in a league that spreads you out and dares you to cover.
The practical insight here is important: Dallas doesn’t necessarily need one superstar corner. They need multiple playable bodies who can survive snaps in different matchups and schemes.
Edge rusher, meanwhile, is a different type of problem.
One true difference-maker can change how an entire defense functions. Pressure shortens coverage, hides mistakes, and forces offenses into predictable decisions. Hamm’s argument is simple: if you hit big once at edge, the ripple effects are immediate.
Where things get more nuanced is in the middle of the defense.
Linebacker and safety don’t always win offseason popularity contests, but Hamm made a strong case that linebacker might be the fastest way to stabilize everything else.
A sideline-to-sideline presence who can run, cover, and clean up mistakes acts like duct tape for schematic flaws. It’s not flashy, but it works.
On offense, the discussion shifted toward balance rather than overhaul.
Running back and offensive tackle both carry question marks, but neither screams panic. The smarter play may be depth and flexibility instead of heavy spending.
Toughness, Hamm emphasized, comes from having enough capable bodies to survive a long season, not just one featured name.
The larger theme of the show was restraint.
Dallas doesn’t need to fix everything at once. They need to align draft picks, free agency, and scheme in a way that makes sense together.
That means understanding what the next defensive coordinator values, recognizing where veterans still matter, and avoiding the trap of solving problems twice.
As Hamm put it on “The Dallas Cowboys Daily Blitz LIVE,” this offseason isn’t about winning March. It’s about building a roster that doesn’t unravel in December.