At this time last year, the Cowboys free agent class consisted of one player: veteran Linebacker Eric Kendricks. Today, Dallas’s 2025 haul includes eight signings and two trade additions, which is far from the norm for the Cowboys.
The team has become notorious for their lack of involvement in free agency, especially in recent years, but their strategy has changed.
Dallas has decided to target low-cost veterans and former top picks who didn’t pan out.
In total, eight out of the ten Cowboys additions were drafted in the first or second round. Only former Bear Jack Sanborn and former Dolphin Robert Jones differ from this trend.
Dallas Cowboys roster moves:
Agreed to deal with RB Javonte Williams
Agreed to deal with OG Robert Jones
Agreed to deal with DE Payton Turner
Agreed to deal with LB Jack Sanborn
Agreed to deal with RB Miles Sanders
Traded for CB Kaiir Elam (Bills)
Traded for LB Kenneth Murray…— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) March 14, 2025
Some fans are concerned about this, arguing that Dallas is still spending minimal money and bringing in no high-end talent. Only one of the team’s eight free-agent signings was for more than one year.
In short, the Cowboys free agent class has been controversial, but at least it exists. What fans should do now is sort out which additions are most meaningful, so let’s do that here.
5. Payton Turner, Defensive End
Five years ago, the Cowboys were scouting the then-Houston Cougars draft prospect, Payton Turner, as a potential first-round target. Dallas instead took All-Pro Micah Parsons, while the Saints ended up with Turner at pick 28.
Now, he heads to Dallas after a very lackluster career in the black and gold. Over his four seasons in New Orleans, Turner totaled five sacks, 11 tackles for loss, and never started in a game.
Due to a combination of injuries and poor performance, he never got going with the Saints. That said, 2024 was by far his most successful season.
I don’t hate the philosophy overall.
If one of the four pans out, you are good.
Payton Turner is probably the one I am the most excited about. https://t.co/YvYLIFCc22
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) March 12, 2025
Turner played in 16 games, doubling his career-high in that category, and matched or beat his statistical bests in most of the others.
The Cowboys are banking on a continuation of good health and growth from last season’s improvement for this former top prospect. If it works, they got a steal, and if it doesn’t, they only gave out $3M this season to try.
4. Javonte Williams, Running Back
Much like Turner, veteran Running Back Javonte Williams came into the league in 2021 with high hopes. The Broncos had just spent a second-round pick on the North Carolina product, and their belief initially paid off.
At age 21, Williams had a breakout rookie season, rushing for 903 yards and gaining 4.4 per carry. In total, he had seven touchdowns and flashed receiving ability with 43 receptions.
Now, at age 24, he has been chasing those numbers ever since.
Javonte Williams had one of the best games of his career at AT&T Stadium, rushing 17 times for a career-high 111 yards as a rookie in a 30-16 win in 2021. Now, he's headed to Dallas full-time. https://t.co/G1zI0fDC8X
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 10, 2025
Williams hasn’t been the same player since he tore his ACL, LCL, and PCL in a 2022 game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
While his powerful running and production have slipped considerably over the last two years, his potential is still there, considering his young age, lack of significant wear and tear, and pass-catching ability.
The Cowboys are likely hoping he can be a steady RB2 on a one-year deal behind a rookie, and that’s a fine strategy to roll into the season with.
3. Kenneth Murray, Linebacker
Coming in at the third spot, we have yet another former Dallas draft target in Kenneth Murray.
In 2020, this former Oklahoma Sooners star was gaining a ton of hype as a fast and productive linebacker prospect. If his teammate, CeeDee Lamb, hadn’t fallen to the Cowboys at pick 17, it likely would’ve been Murray getting the call from Jerry Jones.
In the years since, he hasn’t quite lived up to his pre-draft hype, but he has been productive.
Murray, 26, has posted three seasons with over 90 tackles, including a 2024 season that also featured a new career high in sacks.
He’s the biggest name on this list, but he does have his shortcomings, which is why the Titans were willing to part ways with a young team captain just one year into his two-year contract.
Sources: The #Cowboys are in the finishing stages of a trade for #Titans LB Kenneth Murray Jr., as the teams are swapping late-round picks.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2025
If Murray can be productive, patch up some weaknesses under Matt Eberflus, and stay healthy, this will be a worthwhile investment, considering the small price paid in the trade.
2. Jack Sanborn, Linebacker
Speaking of Eberflus, the Cowboys’ new defensive coordinator, his former linebacker from Chicago comes in at the second spot on this list.
Sanborn is a very underrated signing by Dallas, and I trust him more than Murray going into the 2025 season. His overall production and name recognition may not stack up with his newly acquired teammate, but Sanborn’s film is superior.
Few players show up with more determination when he is on the field. Sanborn has 164 career tackles in just 19 career starts because of that.
The Bears not tendering LB Jack Sanborn really bothers me. When you turn on the film Jack shows the hell up. Dude is a flat out Football Player! I don’t like the decision to let him walk at all!!
— Jerry Azumah (@JerryAzumah) March 6, 2025
His connection with Eberflus, who took a chance on him as an undrafted free agent from Wisconsin, is significant as well.
The Cowboys free agent class is much stronger with Jack Sanborn in it. His one-year deal didn’t make the headlines, but I’m willing to bet that when the 2025 season is over, he’ll be one of the top new contributing additions in Dallas.
1. Dante Fowler Jr., Defensive End
Finally, taking the top spot is a familiar face as veteran pass-rusher Dante Fowler Jr. makes his return to Dallas.
As a former top-three pick, Fowler signed with the Cowboys in 2022 with his career teetering. He had seen a major fall-off after an 11.5-sack year in 2019, but his time in Dallas revitalized things.
In two years with the team, he was a key rotational piece. Fowler never missed a game and picked up 10 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, and 16 quarterback hits over that time.
He followed Dan Quinn to Washington this offseason, and he absolutely shined.
Fowler had double-digit sacks for just the second time in his NFL career as he became a key piece of the Commanders’ defensive identity.
Say what yall want about the Cowboys Front office.
Dallas is MOVING DIFFERENT.
Dante Fowler had 10 sacks last year, another sneaky good signing.
— (Foots The King) (@FootsDaKing) March 14, 2025
Now, one year after leaving, Fowler is headed back to the Cowboys on a one-year deal with the potential for continued success. Both DeMarcus Lawrence and Chauncey Golston are gone, leaving a ton of snaps for this key veteran to pick up.
Expect Dante Fowler Jr. to contribute in a major way this season.