Defensive Ends Who Can Boost the Cowboys Defense

The Dallas Cowboys’ defensive end group leaves something to be desired. That something is a proven player other than Micah Parsons and Dante Fowler.

Besides these two players, the Dallas Cowboys have some unproven talent in the defensive end room.

Young players such as Sam Williams, Marshawn Kneeland, and Tyrus Wheat have not proven much in their careers, but they are young.

The Dallas Cowboys’ front office could help these young players by signing a veteran to help them develop.

Several veteran free agents at the position are still available, and two names come to mind when thinking about the free agent list.

Brandon Graham Brings Talent and Experience

Dallas Cowboys fans know Brandon Graham well because he was a Philadelphia Eagle for 14 years.

In those 14 years, he was a stalwart of some pretty good defenses for the Eagles.

He has 693 tackles, 92 sacks, 99 quarterback hits, and 502 quarterback hurries in his career.

This type of experience is needed in the Cowboys’ defense.

Any day now Brandon Graham (@brandongraham55) will announce that he’s either retiring or coming back but regardless of his decision he had one of the most memorable careers in Eagles history.

When the Eagles traded up in the 2010 draft people thought it was for Earl Thomas but… pic.twitter.com/WcKe9rLcXy

— Fly Eagles Fly Bets (@Fly_EaglesBets) March 5, 2025

Last year, in 2024, he had 21 tackles, four sacks, three quarterback hits, and 14 quarterback hurries. That may not seem very impressive, but he played the third-lowest snap count of his career.

What stands out about Graham and could help the Cowboys’ defense is his run defense. According to PFF.com, he graded out in run defense with an 80.1, which ranks as the 8th best out of 211 ends.

The Cowboys lost their best run-stuffing end to the Seattle Seahawks. Replacing this player with Brandon Graham would equal out.

Emmanuel Ogbah Could Be A Cowboy Again

Emmanuel Ogbah of the Miami Dolphins could become a Cowboy again, but would be trading Oklahoma State orange and black from college for blue and silver.

Ogbah is another veteran of the NFL, having put in nine years for three teams.

In his nine years in the league, he has had a great career. He has 320 tackles, 53 sacks, 59 quarterback hits, and 208 quarterback hurries in his career.

Quick Emmanuel Ogbah highlight/breakdown. He has good UOH and is disciplined. Plays with good leverage as well. Typical NE type of edge player. Nice scheme fit as well.#MiamiDolphins #NFLFreeAgency #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/gp9xUPQBIL

— Ryder McConville (@RyderM25) March 17, 2020

In 2024 with the Miami Dolphins, he had 33 tackles, six sacks, five quarterback hits, and 22 quarterback hurries, but like Brandon Graham, getting to the quarterback was not his strong suit.

He is a run-stopping defensive end, who has a career with 183 stops. He had a run defense grade of 72.4 last season, which was good for 29th out of 211 ends.

This would be another great veteran presence to add to the defensive end room that can also help the run defense.

Cowboys Defensive End Room Now

The Dallas Cowboys defensive end room as it currently stands has two proven commodities in Micah Parsons and Dante Fowler Jr.

Outside these two players, the depth consists of Sam Williams, Marshawn Kneeland, Tyrus Wheat, Payton Turner, Earnest Brown IV, and Luiji Vilain.

These players are young and mostly unproven and Sam Williams is coming off a major injury.

Sam Williams is the player with the most upside at the position outside of Parsons and Fowler.

In 2023, Williams had a good season with 23 tackles, five sacks, three quarterback hits, and 15 quarterback hurries.

He could also become a well-rounded defensive end because he had 14 stops and only missed 4.8% of his tackles.

With so many question marks at the defensive end position, bringing in a veteran presence would be the smart move.

Having two great leaders sitting out there on the free agent market is something the front office needs to look at adding.

Adding one of these players would also allow the Cowboys to not reach for players in the draft and fill holes on the offensive side of the ball.

Drafting the best players available on defense after filling the defensive end need in free agency would be the best-case scenario for this team.

The NFL Draft this year is full of defensive end talent, but outside of the first two round it is like catching lightning in a bottle when it comes to defensive ends.

Knowing what your getting in a veteran free agent such as Brandon Graham and Emmanuel Ogbah should be a no-brainer.