Track every signing, trade, and departure. Analyze the Cowboys' early free agency wins and potential misses as the roster transforms.
FRISCO - Is it too early to finalize judgment on what the Dallas Cowboys accomplished - or didn't accomplish - in this first week of the NFL business year featuring free agency?
Of course; "Let the cake bake,'' and all of that.
Is it too early to analyze all the roster moves? Never!
Late on Thursday came the news (via) ESPN that the Cowboys plan to sign Rams cornerback Cobie Durant to a one-year deal.
Durant, 28, notably recorded two interceptions in the Rams' recent playoff win over the Bears.
Dallas is also adding offensive lineman Matt Hennessy, per ESPN, who's been a part-time starter with Atlanta and San Francisco. Would be in line to replace Brock Hoffman, who was not tendered as an RFA.
So here we go, Fish's "Cowboys Free Agency Scoreboard: Who’s Signed, Who’s Out Analysis'' ...
Added via trade
Packers EDGE Rashan Gary
Added via free agency
Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson
Broncos safety P.J. Locke
Chargers D-lineman Otito Ogbonnia
Eagles QB Sam Howell
Lions EDGE Tyrus Wheat
Rams cornerback Cobie Durant
O-lineman Matt Hennessy
Re-signed
Running back Javonte Williams
EDGE Sam Williams
ANALYSIS: The Cowboys entered the process viewing Gary and Thompson as "Tier 1'' additions. But they are not cinches to bring enough to move the needle from where this defense was in 2025 - the NFL's worst.
(By the way, also retained are cornerbacks Josh Butler and Reddy Steward signed on $1 million minimum tenders.)
Contractual control
Franchise-tagged: Receiver George Pickens
Second-round tendered: Kicker Brandon Aubrey
Second-round tendered: O-lineman TJ Bass
ANALYSIS: Dallas has done the right thing strategically with stars Pickens and Aubrey; you'll notice that no team is beating down the door trying to pay the exorbitant cost of stealing them. But one of the NFL's best offenses - led by QB Dak Prescott - won't be intact until all the negotiations with both are done.
Out via trade
D-lineman Osa Odighizuwa to 49ers
D-lineman Solomon Thomas to Titans
ANALYSIS: There's lots of confusion here: Wasn't Osa a team captain, one of the unit's best players and somebody deemed just a year ago to be worth $20 APY? Yes, yes and yes.
But the Cowboys can justify the trade (they get a third-rounder from San Francisco) ... as you can read below ...
Top names in limbo
EDGE Jadeveon Clowney
Safety Donovan Wilson
O-lineman Brock Hoffman
EDGE Dante Fowler
Special-teamer CJ Goodwin
Safety Juanyeh Thomas
Cornerback Corey Ballentine
Linebacker Kenneth Murray
Linebacker Jack Sanborn
EDGE Payton Turner
O-lineman Robert Jones
O-lineman Hakeem Adeniji
Running back Miles Sanders
ANALYSIS: We reported weeks ago that Dallas viewed Clowney as a backup, not as a "priority,'' as the front office claimed. Wilson is valued by this scouting department, but doesn't have much support from a new defensive staff that doesn't know him. Goodwin still makes sense here eventually, and maybe Hoffman, Fowler and Thomas could as well.