Source: Cowboys want to sign 2 Free Agent Difference Makers for Defense

[Coogiguy03]

Still, the next few days are going to be fascinating to watch and see what Dallas actually does.
And for ESPN's Todd Archer, when asked what he expects to happen, his answer is rather straightforward.
"They will sign one marquee free agent," Archer wrote. "That might not be much for some teams or for the fan base, but the Cowboys have played at the top of the market since 2012, when they signed Brandon Carr. The most likely bet would be at linebacker and pass rusher. Maybe safety."

So the marquee free agent appears to be Hendrickson.

But let's not forget, there are a host of high-quality players set to hit the market, and at positions of need for Dallas.
Linebackers Nakobe Dean and Devin Lloyd, safeties Kein Byard and Bryan Cook, corner Riq Woolen, and edge Boye Mafe.
Any one of those players named would be a good, quality addition to Christian Parker's defense.
But ... one? ESPN predicts one "difference-maker''?
For what it's worth, our Mike Fisher says he's gotten indications from a source that Dallas wants to "sign two defensive difference-makers.''
Yes, they will be pricey, but the Cowboys, by their own words, are more than capable of paying one or two of those free agents, if not more.



https://roundtable.io/sports/nfl/co...-two-free-agent-difference-makers-for-defense

 

[baltcowboy]

Still, the next few days are going to be fascinating to watch and see what Dallas actually does.
And for ESPN's Todd Archer, when asked what he expects to happen, his answer is rather straightforward.
"They will sign one marquee free agent," Archer wrote. "That might not be much for some teams or for the fan base, but the Cowboys have played at the top of the market since 2012, when they signed Brandon Carr. The most likely bet would be at linebacker and pass rusher. Maybe safety."

So the marquee free agent appears to be Hendrickson.

But let's not forget, there are a host of high-quality players set to hit the market, and at positions of need for Dallas.
Linebackers Nakobe Dean and Devin Lloyd, safeties Kein Byard and Bryan Cook, corner Riq Woolen, and edge Boye Mafe.
Any one of those players named would be a good, quality addition to Christian Parker's defense.
But ... one? ESPN predicts one "difference-maker''?
For what it's worth, our Mike Fisher says he's gotten indications from a source that Dallas wants to "sign two defensive difference-makers.''
Yes, they will be pricey, but the Cowboys, by their own words, are more than capable of paying one or two of those free agents, if not more.



https://roundtable.io/sports/nfl/cowboys/news/source-cowboys-want-to-sign-two-free-agent-difference-makers-for-defens

Two defensive difference makers means two pass rushers. If the Joneses pull that off (Any combination of Hendrickson, Oweh, Chubb, Mafe, ect) I would be impressed.

 

[AmericasTeam81]

I wish they would have put Mike Fisher’s name at the beginning of the article because I would have stopped reading sooner.

 

[unionjack8]

Lloyd
Oweh/Mafe

 

[rambo2]

I wish they would have put Mike Fisher’s name at the beginning of the article because I would have stopped reading sooner.

Archer says they will sign at least 1 difference maker and Fisher says that people inside the building believe that they can sign 2.

 

[Ebnorice]

Lloyd, Hendrickson and Best player available at 12 and 20. This is my dream

 

[visionary]

Oweh/Mafe + Dean+ Thompson + Detroit LT

Much better than Hendrickson

 

[Loso86]

Two defensive difference makers means two pass rushers. If the Joneses pull that off (Any combination of Hendrickson, Oweh, Chubb, Mafe, ect) I would be impressed.

No it doesn't. It means 2 playmaker. That can be CB or LB too

 

[baltcowboy]

No it doesn't. It means 2 playmaker. That can be CB or LB too

There are no playmaker corners available and I doubt if the Cowboys sign Lloyd. The Cowboys are hunting pass rushers.

 

[TheKey]

There are no playmaker corners available and I doubt if the Cowboys sign Lloyd. The Cowboys are hunting pass rushers.

I’d sign Woolen for $8m/ye

 

[gtb1943]

now what our genius (sic) Front Office considers difference makers might be somewhat different then what EVERYONE ELSE thinks are difference makers...

 

[baltcowboy]

I’d sign Woolen for $8m/ye

We all would but he is gonna probably get $20+million a year.

 

[Reid1boys]

And I’d like a night with Halle Berry.

 

[Carson]

Kenneth Murray and CJ Goodwin

 

[America's Cowboy]

I’d sign Woolen for $8m/ye

If Woolen would settle for no more than $10 million/year, I would seriously consider signing him. Plus, he has size and speed.

Here are some more reasons:

Tariq Woolen’s PFF grades have shown fluctuation, moving from a strong 69.1 overall in 2022 to a 59.8 in 2025, with recent 2025–2026 performance highlighting elite athleticism alongside inconsistent coverage. While his 2025 coverage grade dipped to 65.7, he remains a high-potential corner with strong tackling (70.9+ run defense) and significant, though inconsistent, impact, The Seattle Times.

Key PFF Grade Trends

2025 Season: Roughly a 59.8 overall grade, with a 65.7 coverage grade.
2022 (Rookie) Season: 69.1 overall grade (35th/120) and 74.1 coverage grade (25th/120).

Recent Performance: In January 2026, he demonstrated high-level play with a 78.2 grade in one game, highlighting a 70.9 season-long run defense grade (25th of 102 CBs).

Historical Context: Despite inconsistencies, he has allowed just 0.72 yards per cover snap since 2023, ranking 6th best among corners.

Woolen's career has featured elite flashes, particularly in tackling and run support, though he has faced, and sometimes overcome, lapses in coverage consistency.

 

[gtb1943]

If Woolen would settle for no more than $10 million/year, I would seriously consider signing him. Plus, he has size and speed.

Here are some more reasons:

Tariq Woolen’s PFF grades have shown fluctuation, moving from a strong 69.1 overall in 2022 to a 59.8 in 2025, with recent 2025–2026 performance highlighting elite athleticism alongside inconsistent coverage. While his 2025 coverage grade dipped to 65.7, he remains a high-potential corner with strong tackling (70.9+ run defense) and significant, though inconsistent, impact, The Seattle Times.

Key PFF Grade Trends

2025 Season: Roughly a 59.8 overall grade, with a 65.7 coverage grade.
2022 (Rookie) Season: 69.1 overall grade (35th/120) and 74.1 coverage grade (25th/120).

Recent Performance: In January 2026, he demonstrated high-level play with a 78.2 grade in one game, highlighting a 70.9 season-long run defense grade (25th of 102 CBs).

Historical Context: Despite inconsistencies, he has allowed just 0.72 yards per cover snap since 2023, ranking 6th best among corners.

Woolen's career has featured elite flashes, particularly in tackling and run support, though he has faced, and sometimes overcome, lapses in coverage consistency.

I call strong 80 and above
neither one of these guys are worth it

 

[TheKey]

We all would but he is gonna probably get $20+million a year.

No chance he gets that kind of money.

 

[fivetwos]

The top of this class is going to be seriously overpaid.

Unreal that Jerry and kid finally decide to open the wallet in a not so great FA class.

They GMs with jobs on the line are going to spend big, and Dallas will need to go way beyond where we all know Stephen is comfortable, but they did this to themselves by thinking they could outsmart the league and use only the draft to win.

I’m not so sure the problem they created can be fixed in one off-season as many want to believe.

 

[Chasing6]

The top of this class is going to be seriously overpaid.

Unreal that Jerry and kid finally decide to open the wallet in a not so great FA class.

They GMs with jobs on the line are going to spend big, and Dallas will need to go way beyond where we all know Stephen is comfortable, but they did this to themselves by thinking they could outsmart the league and use only the draft to win.

I’m not so sure the problem they created can be fixed in one off-season as many want to believe.

An open wallet, with not money in it. How is that going to help?!?

 

[fivetwos]

An open wallet, with not money in it. How is that going to help?!?

Not sure what you mean.