It's been a fruitful offseason for Dallas, but time will tell if it translates into something meaningful.
Grading the Dallas Cowboys' offseason work is tough to do, if you're doing it properly, simply because there are so many unknowns.
We have zero idea how well the free agents will fit into Christian Parker's scheme, plus the unknown nature of the draft means we have to wait and see on the draft class.
Of course, we have a general idea of Caleb Downs and the likes of Rashan Gary and Jalen Thompson, but for most, it's a pure guessing game.
But there's no denying that the Cowboys have at least bucked the trend this offseason, thanks to Jerry Jones not controlling things as he's known to do.
They've spent money on outside free agents. Showed a willingness to bust the budget with the approaches for Maxx Crosby and linebackers Quay Walker and Nakobi Dean.
Plus addressing problematic roster areas in the draft with the trade for Dee Winters.
So, there is a lot to like about what Dallas has done this offseason, but as I said, grading it is tough.
But Sports Illustrated's Gilberto Manzano has given Dallas a "B" grade.
What's interesting about Manzano's grading is the key additions and subtractions he's listed.
And it's here where you could make the case that the Cowboys deserve a better grade than a B.
Manzano has Jadeveon Clowney, Dante Fowler Jr., Osa Odighizuwa, and Logan Wilson as the key outs.
Osa and Clowney, yes, but Fowler Jr. and Wilson? Dante only posted 3.0 sacks from 17 games, and Wilson hardly saw the field. They are hardly "key" subtractions.
Then the additions.
Downs, Cobie Durant, Rashan Gary, Malachi Lawrence, Otito Ogbonnia, and Jalen Thompson.
That's six key additions, seven if you want to include Winters, and losing Clowney and Osa, that's not too bad if you're keeping score at home. Of course, how much Lawrence and Otito will play is unknown, but the others? They're Day 1 starters.
There's no denying that the Cowboys' offseason, for once, has been a positive one from a personnel and coaching standpoint, thanks in part to Jerry getting out of the way.
Plus, the contract sagas are nowhere to be seen, not to mention the coaching staff hires, which many are on board with. But again, this is all a projection.
On paper, Dallas looks like a far better team than it did in 2025, both from a player and coach perspective, but that counts for nothing right now.
It's all hope, and Cowboys Nation, for once, might have it in spades.