The Cowboys’ top NFL free agency targets as the 2025 offseason begins

The NFL playoffs are coming up this weekend, but Dallas Cowboys they are not part of the action. Ending the season with two straight losses, the team ended its campaign with a 7-10 record and third place in the NFC East. For the first time in four seasons, they failed to make the postseason – a phenomenon that unfortunately fits with the atmosphere that surrounded the Cowboys over the past year.

For one thing, an uneventful 2024 offseason has already raised questions about how the team will fare when games begin. Then it is Dak Prescott’s season-ending injury happened in the midst of a losing streak. Add everything contract drama surrounding Prescott and CeeDee Lamb and it was definitely a year to forget for Team USA.

It doesn’t help that the Cowboys are in a bad position in terms of salary cap space. However, more than 20 players will become free agents. Some notable names looking to hit the market (unless they’re re-signed, of course) are Brandin Cooks, Zack Martin, and DeMarcus Lawrence. Others such as Rico Dowdle and Osa Odighizuwa are also impending free agents, but it has been reported that the team wants to keep them.

Assuming some of the aforementioned names leave and Prescott and Lamb allow their massive contracts to be restructured, that gives the Cowboys room to sign outside of free agency. So who should they target, if ever? Here are three players who would improve the roster right now.

Amari Cooper

One thing that could improve the Cowboys offense is more depth at the receiver position. CeeDee Lamb reached the 1,000-yard mark again, but from a certain set of lenses, he was practically a one-man receiving crew. This isn’t to cast a shadow over Dallas’ other receivers, but the Cowboys don’t really have that clear-cut number two guy. In particular, they don’t have another Jailen Waddle or DeVonta Smith-style option to back up their new superstar. Superstars, for that matter, as Prescott would also benefit from an improved receiving corps.

Additionally, the Cowboys should sign Amari Cooper for another stint. There may be some skepticism about this effort, the main one being Cooper’s numbers this season. The five-time Pro Bowler finished with just 547 receiving yards and four touchdowns, but it’s important to note that he was traded midseason from the Cleveland Browns to the Buffalo Bills. It’s not easy to quickly adjust to a brand new system or build chemistry with a new KB right away, so one could conclude that played a role in his current stats. Furthermore, Deshaun Watson’s struggles before the Cooper trade didn’t help either.

Back in Dallas equals familiarity. Cooper had big seasons playing alongside Prescott and Jr head coach Mike McCarthyso the Cowboys would certainly know how to use him alongside Lamb. What about his age? Cooper may already be 30 years old, but it wasn’t until 2023 that the wideout tallied a career-high 1,250 receiving yards for the Browns. There is a good chance that there is a lot of gas left in the tank right now.

BJ Hill

All season long, the Cowboys have struggled to stop the run. They allowed opponents to average 137.1 yards per game, fourth worst in the entire league. Even worse, among all teams, Dallas gave up the most rushing touchdowns in the regular season (25).

Factor in how uncertain Osa Odighizuwa’s status is, so the headache in the middle could get even worse. What could mitigate this is the Bengals’ targeting of defensive tackle BJ Hill. Despite several injuries, Hill still managed to see action in 15 games, finishing the regular season with 56 tackles (25 solo) and three sacks. Last season, when fully healthy, DT totaled 4.5 sacks.

While his age (age 29) may not be suitable for long-term purposes, Hill’s proven resume shows how much value he can provide if the Cowboys ink him for a year or two.

Mekhi Becton

Zack Martin’s current situation means the team will most likely be in dire need of a right guard. Of course, putting together a long-term piece for the future would be ideal. Furthermore, backup Brock Hoffman — who could be re-signed since he’s also a free agent — stepped up when called upon. Still, it doesn’t hurt to add depth at the position, and that’s where the 6-foot-7, 363-pound McHie Becton enters the picture.

Originally drafted as a tackle, Becton found himself being moved to fullback. He played 15 games for the Philadelphia Eagles this season and started in every one. According to PFFBecton has higher percentages than Hoffman in overall rating, pass blocking rating and run blocking rating. He may have allowed two more sacks than the Cowboys’ backup, but it’s important to factor in how Becton played 903 total snaps compared to Hoffman’s 515.

Those numbers alone won’t fully determine whether the potential signing of Becton means he’ll be the starter. After all, offseason competition for playing time is a thing. Regardless, having more reliable options at Mike McCarthy’s disposal will help a lot.