Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys

The move is hardly surprising for Ezeiruaku, as the outside linebackers in a 3-4 defense are typically going to be more oriented towards edge rushing. For example, last year the Eagles listed Jaelan Phillips, Nolan Smith, and Jalyx Hunt as outside linebackers even though they did effectively the same thing that Cowboys defensive ends Jadeveon Clowney, James Houston, and Ezeiruaku himself did in 2025.

Christian Parker isn't installing a static defense. The Cowboys are shifting toward a multiple-front system with 3-4 principles layered in. That means linebackers must think, adjust, and operate in space. Under Parker, Dallas linebackers need to cover running backs and tight ends, handle disguised fronts and late movement, maintain gap discipline, tackle efficiently in space, and process quickly without freelancing.

The Dallas Cowboys have set a new direction for their defense for the fourth year in a row. They hired and recently introduced first-time defensive coordinator Christian Parker. The insights into what Parker's defense will look like that came from the press conference have put the former rival Philadelphia Eagles coach back in the headlines as the face of a defense that desperately needs this reset.

Out of 32 picks: Not one of the draft experts cracked 20 percent. I don't see this as a failure, that is just the nature of the beast. One grade can shift multiple picks and wreck slot projections. Jeremiah led here, but the margin was two picks.

Jordan has been one of the hottest names in the personal coaching world for the past decade-plus. He founded Trench Performance, a private company specializing in training defensive linemen. Through Trench Performance, Jordan has worked with a long list of current NFL players that includes Micah Parsons, Maxx Crosby, Von Miller, Myles Garrett, Abdul Carter, Nolan Smith, and Danielle Hunter.

For those unaware, Aubrey is a free agent, but he is a restricted free agent. Should the Cowboys not have a deal in place with him before free agency begins then they can place a tender on him relative to a first- or second-round pick. In that hypothetical a team could negotiate a deal with Aubrey, but the Cowboys would have the right of first refusal. If Dallas declined to match the offer then the team who made it to Aubrey would owe the Cowboys their draft pick according to the tender.

But with salary cap concerns and a change in defensive coaching, DT isn't entirely immune to potential 2026 offseason drama. Quinnen Williams - The new centerpiece of the line, this perennial Pro Bowler will again be looked to as a catalyst for improved performance up front. After seeing what the Eagles defense got out of Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis, the prospect for what Christian Parker might mine from Williams' presence is tantalizing.

"The first thing is we're going to be multiple," Parker said ( via team writer Tommy Yarrish). " So our core principles, we'll be a 3-4 by nature, but 4-3 spacing will be appropriate, 4-2-5 in nickel, different front structures, coverages behind it." The Cowboys last ran a 3-4 under Rob Ryan in 2012.

Since coming off the board in the sixth round of the 2019 draft, safety Donovan Wilson has been a career-long Cowboy. A trip to free agency awaits Wilson in the next few weeks, but the seven-year veteran hopes to stay in Dallas, Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News reports. Wilson, who will turn 31 on Saturday, had a brief foray into free agency in March 2023. The Cowboys quickly brought Wilson back on a three-year, $24MM deal. It's unknown if the Cowboys will act in a similar fashion with Wilson this year. Watkins casts doubt on Wilson's future in Dallas, contending the team should get younger at safety. Although Wilson may end up elsewhere in 2026, the Cowboys continued to heavily rely on him last season.

The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine kicks off in a little less than a week. There will be 319 participants attempting to boost their draft stock by impressing the scouting community with their performances in the on-the-field drills as well as official and unofficial interviews with different teams. This big event of the offseason is a great way to get a better understanding of this year's draft hopefuls and last before individual Pro Days.

Before the season was all said-and-done, Clowney was the best pass rusher in the building, and not simply because others struggled mightily to consistently get to the opposing quarterback. Clowney had a very good season by any contextual measurement, and in multiple categories. The 32-year-old notched a team-high in sacks (8.5), also this second-highest tally in the past four seasons,