A new defensive dawn for the Cowboys

It feels like a lifetime ago, but it really has not been that long since the Dallas Cowboys boasted one of the most effective defenses in football. They were coming after the quarterback and creating turnovers. It was fun to watch. For three straight seasons, the defense consistently finished in the top seven for points allowed. It was something us fans weren’t accustomed to, but boy, was it sure fun to watch.

However, these past two seasons? Not so much.

As great as things once were, things have taken a dramatic turn for the worse, forcing fans into a harsh reality check that this defense is not good. Over the past two seasons, this group has bottomed out, finishing in the basement of the league rankings both times, including a heartbreaking dead last finish in 2025. It has been a staggering fall from grace, leaving a bunch of aimlessly wandering defenders seeing stars.

The decline was fueled by a series of departures that felt like a punch to the gut. Seeing Micah Parsons traded away was a tectonic shift that no one was truly ready for, and losing veteran leaders like DeMarcus Lawrence and Jourdan Lewis to free agency only made the wound deeper. To make matters worse, Trevon Diggs’ physical limitations turned him into a liability, eventually leading to his release. Watching these former defensive aces for the Cowboys vanish or fade was immensely painful. It was not just about losing talent. It felt like the defense lost its very soul, leaving fans to mourn what used to be a dominant identity.

In an attempt to fix the leaking ship, the front office took some audacious gambles that, in hindsight, were probably a bit too risky. Instead of buying sure things, they went shopping in the bargain bin of reclamation projects and unproven youngsters. They banked on potential and waited for injured players to return to form, hoping for a miracle that never materialized. It was a strategy built more on hope than on a proven track record, and the results on the field reflected that lack of stability.

One of those big bets was Kaiir Elam. The Cowboys saw a former first-round talent who had fallen out of favor with the Bills and thought they could be the ones to unlock his potential. Unfortunately, the same consistency issues that plagued him in Buffalo followed him to Dallas. He never quite found his footing in the system and ended up being more of a liability than the reliable corner the team desperately needed.

The team also tried to get clever by bringing in low-cost linebacker Jack Sanborn. Dallas liked his nose for the ball, but there was a reason he was stuck as a backup in Chicago. While he gave plenty of effort, he was often a step behind the play. He underperformed significantly, proving that sometimes a backup is a backup for a reason, despite how much the scouting department might like his intangibles.

Then there was Shavon Revel Jr., whom the Cowboys scooped up after he slid down draft boards because of his knee injury. They loved his physical traits and saw a high ceiling, but he had a way to go before getting back to being that player. He struggled to adapt to the speed of the professional game and frequently found himself out of position. It was another case of the team betting on potential, only to find themselves contributing to the madness of a struggling unit.

The Cowboys rely heavily on the draft to make-or-break their roster, and if recent investments were any indication, they were doing their defense no favors. Before this season, in three of the last four years, the Cowboys used their first-round pick on offensive linemen. Their only real investment on defense during that span was Mazi Smith, who was considered a developmental gamble rather than an immediate game changer. It felt like the defense was being treated as an afterthought while the offensive line got all the luxury upgrades.

Donovan Ezeiruku was the team’s top defensive selection last year, and he showed plenty of flashes that made the scouts look smart. His rookie season was promising in spurts, but for a player who was supposed to be the crown jewel of that defensive class, it felt unfulfilling. He showed he could play, but he did not provide the transformative impact the team needed to claw its way out of the league basement. But that’s not a knock on him. Edge rushers take a little time to develop, and Ezeiruaku shouldn’t be expected to be an exception.

While all of this is depressing, there are reasons to be hopeful as a fresh breeze blows through the halls of The Star. The front office has completely shifted its philosophy, moving away from projects and toward proven commodities. They are still using trades, free agency, and the draft, but the target profile has changed. There is a genuine sense of optimism building because the team is finally prioritizing players who have already shown they can get the job done at a quality level.

Their approach to free agency is a perfect example of this new mindset by snagging defensive backs Jalen Thompson and Cobie Durant. Thompson arrives after five years of reliable starting experience with the Cardinals, while Durant has been a steady presence in the Rams’ secondary for two seasons. These are not players you sign and then cross your fingers for during training camp. They are immediate contributors who understand professional schemes and can provide stability to a secondary that has been shaky for far too long.

The Cowboys carried that same energy with trades for Rashan Gary and Dee Winters. Gary is a stout run-stopping edge rusher who still managed to rack up 7.5 sacks last season and is one year removed from being a Pro Bowler. He brings an immediate veteran presence to the edge. Pairing him with Dee Winters, a young linebacker who exploded for over 100 tackles last year, gives the Cowboys a middle of the defense that is actually capable of chasing down ball carriers right now. They are not hoping these guys turn into something they’re not, but instead just keep being who they already are.

Perhaps the biggest statement of intent was the selection of Caleb Downs. The Cowboys did not get cute with their top pick. They took a sure-fire defensive stud who was widely considered one of the best prospects in the country. He has the range, the intellect, and the physical tools to be a cornerstone for the next decade. The expectations are sky-high, and for good reason, because he is the kind of talent that changes a defensive culture the moment he walks into the building.

The Cowboys are finally acting like a team that is tired of losing. They have replaced risky gambles with proven production and traded in their projects for polished professionals. There are far fewer players on this roster who make you hold your breath, and far more who make you lean forward in your seat with excitement. It is a more serious, calculated approach that feels like it might actually lead to something positive this season.