The Dallas Cowboys and Jerry Jones are set to make this pivotal move with their star players. Will this strategy help them shape a good roster for the upcoming NFL season? 

The Cowboys had a miserable 2025 season, going 7-9-1 and missing the playoffs for the second straight season in a row. America's team needs all the help it can get. Currently, the Cowboys are 55 million over the cap and have some work to do. 

To make space for free agency, the Dallas Cowboys will restructure the contracts of three star players. This move alone will free up $66 million in cap space. The three players are Dak Prescott (quarterback), CeeDee Lamb (wide receiver), and Tyler Smith (guard). 

Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb's offensive production is important for the Cowboys. They both played an integral part in the 2025 NFL season. 

Dak Prescott had yet another great season, throwing the football for 4,552 yards (third in the NFL) and having 30 touchdowns (fourth in the NFL) to his name. 

While CeeDee Lamb took a back seat to fellow wide receiver George Pickens. Lamb still had a 1,000-yard season with 1,077 yards and scored three touchdowns. 

Historically, Dallas is not known for spending big in the free agency market. The franchise usually relies on draft talent and retains key players. Jerry Jones, with head coach Brian Schottenheimer, is taking a different approach to their philosophy this time. 

The Cowboys need to be aggressive in free agency, as there are holes throughout the roster, but mainly on defense. The Cowboys had one of, if not the worst, defenses in 2025. The Cowboys’ fans would hope that this strategy helps them get post-season football in the upcoming NFL season. 

These two draft picks could help the Cowboys in the upcoming NFL season

There is no doubt that Dallas needs to spend money in free agency, but the NFL Draft is not too far off. 

David Bailey, out of Texas Tech, who is widely considered the best pass rusher in this draft class. Everyone knows by now that the Dallas defense desperately needs help. And Bailey could enter and solve issues for them straight away. The defender also had 14.5 sacks this season, which is tied for the most in the FBS. 

Bailey is currently projected to be a top-5 pick, but if he does not go, the Cowboys should snag him with their 12th pick. 

Another defender would be Brandon Cisse, the defensive back from the University of South Carolina, who could be another option for Jones and the Cowboys. 

The defensive back is projected to go in the first two rounds, and given that Dallas holds the 12th and 22nd pick, Cisse can be an option for them as well.  

How do you think Dallas is going to handle free agency and the NFL Draft? Tell us in the comments.

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Written by

Samvruth Raj

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu