Dallas Cowboys 2026 Season Preview: Defense Wins Championships
With several teams kicking off their organized team activities this week, the NFL offseason is in full swing.
Teams have OTAs sprinkled in over the next three weeks before a month-long break until training camp begins in mid-to-end July.
We'll be reviewing the major offseason changes for all 32 teams in addition to previewing what to expect from each team as they head into training camp. Below is our 2026 training camp preview for the Dallas Cowboys.
Key Offseason Dates
Voluntary OTAs: June 1-2, June 4, June 8-9, June 11
Mandatory minicamp: June 16-18
Training camp: mid-July
NFL Hall of Fame game: Aug. 6
Key Additions:
Sam Howell, QB
Marsquz Valdes-Scantling, WR
Matt Hennessy, C
Otito Ogbonnia, DT
Jonathan Bullard, DT
Rashan Gary, DE
Dee Winters, LB
Cobie Durant, CB
Derion Kendrick, CB
Jalen Thompson, S
P.J. Locke, S
Re-Signed:
Sam Williams, DE
Corey Ballentine, CB
2026 NFL Draft Class:
Caleb Downs, S, Round 1
Malachi Lawrence, DE, Round 1
Jaishawn Barham, DE, Round 3
Drew Shelton, OT, Round 4
Devin Moore, CB, Round 4
LT Overton, DE, Round 4
Anthony Smith, WR, Round 7
Key Losses:
Will Grier, QB
Jalen Tolbert, WR
Robert Jones, OG
Brock Hoffman, C
Osa Odighizuwa, DT
Dante Fowler Jr., DE
Jack Sanborn, LB
Juanyeh Thomas, S
Analysis:
If Jayden Daniels is healthy for the entire 2026 season, the Cowboys could find themselves in a three-team race for the NFC East with the Washington Commanders and Dallas Cowboys, both of which improved their rosters this offseason.
Dallas still has a potent offense with quarterback Dak Prescott, running back Javonte Williams, wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, and tight end Jake Ferguson, but the question mark on that side of the ball is the offensive line.
Both tackles, Tyler Guyton and Terence Steele, had shaky seasons last year, Tyler Smith still doesn't know whether he'll be playing guard or tackle, and rookie fourth-rounder Drew Shelton could push for playing time at either position as well.
The Cowboys had arguably the worst defense in the NFL last year, and that side of the ball is where the biggest changes were made.
With the exception of edge-rusher Jadeveon Clowney (40 pressures, 29 hurries, 8.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, two fumbles recovered), who's currently a free agent, the Cowboys defense had zero bright spots in 2025.
Enter Pro Bowl edge-rusher Rashan Gary, 100-tackle linebacker Dee Winters, first-round safety Caleb Downs, first-round edge-rusher Malachi Lawrence, third-round edge-rusher Jaishawn Barham, and free-agent cornerback Cobie Durant.
Dallas also added a handful of other defensive players including free agent defensive tackles Otito Ogbonnia and Jonathan Bullard, cornerback Derion Kendrick, and safety Jalen Thompson, plus fourth-round cornerback Devin Moore and edge-rusher LT Overton.
The Cowboys could be a playoff threat and contend for a division title, but it depends on how much - if at all - their defense improves. Ten wins and a playoff spot could be a realistic outcome for Dallas next season.
2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
This story was originally published May 28, 2026 at 1:42 PM.