The defensive line for the Dallas Cowboys is the one position room that currently has no margin for error coming into the 2025 season.
After the starting four, with hybrid linebacker/edge player Micah Parsons, the position room is lacking in experience and talent.
Dallas has already lost two defensive linemen who were on the roster last year. Defensive end K.J. Henry signed with the Eagles for the 2025 season.
Defensive tackle Jordan Phillips played two games last year for the Cowboys before heading north to play for the Bills the rest of the year.
Of the remaining eight on the roster in one capacity or another, only three are definitely locked in for 2025 as free agency prepares to begin this week.
Tackles Justin Rogers and Denzel Daxon will both be ERFAs in 2026. But both are under contract for the upcoming season and both under $1 million for the season.
Ends Earnest Brown, who will be an unrestricted free agent next year and will play for $1.1 million this fall, and Tyrus Wheat, who is an ERFA, will be on the roster too.
The remaining four will be free agents starting this week. Tackle Linval Joseph along with ends Chauncey Golston, Carl Lawson, and Carlos Watkins may all be playing somewhere else this fall.
Golston had a solid 2024 season, collecting 56 tackles and 5.5 sacks. Joseph had 19 tackles and two sacks and Lawson had 15 tackles and five sacks in 2024.
Roster Review 2025: Back-up Defensive Linemen. This is Part 26 of a series. Click here for a list of all related articles.
Outlook For 2025
Golston isn’t likely to be coming back, despite the year he had in 2024. With Sam Williams and Marshawn Kneeland returning, plus Osa Odighizuwa’s big contract and Micah Parsons’ pending deal, the money isn’t there.
Like DeMarcus Lawrence, a reunion with Dan Quinn in D.C. seems to be the likeliest landing spot for Golston in 2025.
Lawrence could return to Dallas but the money he is currently asking for may be too high for the Cowboys.
Joseph and Lawson could return but would have to do so under team-friendly contracts.
Expect the Cowboys to try to address this area of need in the draft if free agency fails to shore up this room. Given Jerry Jones’ statement about not filling voids in free agency, it looks like the draft will have to get it done.
Kneeland returned from a leg injury last year, so he should be good to go.
The wild card will be Sam Williams returning from his training camp knee injury. If he can start, and be effective, that will relieve the pressure.
So would an improved 2025 season by Mazi Smith.
After a horrid rookie season, Smith bounced back somewhat last year. He’ll need to keep that arc going this fall.
Long-Term Outlook
Assuming the departures of both Lawrence and Joseph, the Cowboys are very young up front.
If the defensive line gels, they will be set for the future in the long-term. The team would just have to fill out the bench with players who can contribute when called upon.
With some smart drafting, and some activity in free agency, the Cowboys could have a defensive line able to not only pressure the quarterback, but also able to stop the running game.
That’s been something that has been missing in Dallas for some time now and one big reason why the team has struggled in the playoffs.
It’s safe to say Matt Eberflus will have some nice pieces to work with on the defensive front seven. How he uses them will make or break a lot of careers.
Including his own if he is looking to remain in Dallas beyond the 2025 season.