Why did the Cowboys overhaul their defense?

The Cowboys overhauled their defense due to significant struggles in the 2025 season, particularly with their run defense.

What changes have the Cowboys made to their run defense?

The Cowboys have traded for players like Rashan Gary and Otito Ogbonnia, and added secondary players like Jalen Thompson to improve their run defense.

When will the Cowboys address their linebacker issues?

The Cowboys are expected to address their linebacker corps, an area that still needs upgrades, in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Home / Sports / Cowboys Fortify Run Defense for 2026 Season

Cowboys Fortify Run Defense for 2026 Season

15 Mar

•

Summary

Cowboys ranked 29th in EPA/play for run defense in 2025.
New additions Rashan Gary and Otito Ogbonnia bolster the front line.
Linebacker upgrades are expected in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Cowboys Fortify Run Defense for 2026 Season

The Dallas Cowboys have initiated a substantial defensive overhaul following a challenging 2025 season. A primary focus has been addressing their historically weak run defense, which ranked 29th in EPA/play and 30th in success rate last year. This deficiency allowed opponents to control the clock and keep the Cowboys' offense sidelined.

To combat this, the team has acquired new personnel, trading Osa Odighizuwa and signing run defenders Rashan Gary and Otito Ogbonnia to bolster the defensive front. The secondary has also been reinforced with safety Jalen Thompson, cornerback Cobie Durant, and safety P.J. Locke.

However, the linebacker unit remains an area needing improvement. Despite pursuing targets like Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker in free agency, available upgrades are now scarce. The Cowboys are expected to address this critical need through the 2026 NFL Draft, where they hold multiple picks.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.