RADIO
Javonte Williams - Running Back
Contract: One year, $3 million
Former Team: Denver Broncos
The Cowboys are finally moving on from Ezekiel Elliott once and for all, and the team opted not to bring back 1,000-yard rusher Rico Dowdle. Enter Javonte Williams, a former second-round pick by the Denver Broncos out of North Carolina in 2021. Williams flashed as a rookie with over 1,200 yards of total offense and seven touchdowns, but unfortunately, he hasn’t looked the same since his ACL tear at the start of his 2022 sophomore campaign. However, at just $3 million, this is a solid low-risk investment for Dallas, hoping the talented back can get back on track.
Miles Sanders - Running Back
Contract: One year, $1.33 million
Former Team: Carolina Panthers
Miles Sanders had a career season in 2022, rushing for 1,269 yards and 11 touchdowns for the NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles. However, his time in Carolina was far from impressive. He went from playing with the NFL’s best offensive line to playing in a subpar offense and could only muster 637 rushing yards and three touchdowns while averaging fewer than 3.5 yards per carry in 27 games with the organization. It would be a surprise if Sanders makes a significant impact for Dallas, but his cost makes him a risk-free flyer.
Robert Jones - Offensive Guard
Contract: One year, $3.75 million
Former Team: Miami Dolphins
Robert Jones, a former undrafted free agent out of Middle Tennessee State University, played in 49 games with 30 starts across four seasons with the Miami Dolphins. With Zack Martin hanging up his cleats this offseason, Jones could be the temporary starter at right guard. Dallas will surely look to replace Martin with a high-end guard in the next couple of drafts, but Jones provides a veteran presence and league-average offensive line play for the time being.
Solomon Thomas - Defensive Tackle
Contract: Two years, $6 million
Former Team: New York Jets
Solomon Thomas was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. He spent four seasons in San Fran before one year in Las Vegas and three campaigns with the New York Jets. Overall, he has piled up 212 tackles, 18.5 sacks, and 25.5 run stuffs in 115 career games. No, the 29-year-old has not lived up to his draft status, but he’s a solid depth piece for Dallas and could push 2023 first-round Mazi Smith for playing time in 2025.
Payton Turner - EDGE
Contract: One year, $2.5 million
Former Team: New Orleans Saints
Speaking of former first-round picks who have not lived up to the investment, the Cowboys also signed Payton Turner. The No. 28 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft has registered just five sacks and two forced fumbles in 31 career games over the last four seasons. This is far from a flashy signing, but Dallas is clearly taking cheap shots on former early-round picks to see if they can change their fortunes.
Parris Campbell - Wide Receiver
Contract: One year, TBD
Former Team: Philadelphia Eagles
Parris Campbell was a second-round selection by the Indianapolis Colts out of Ohio State in 2019, but he played in just 15 games through the first three seasons of his career due to injury. The speedster showed signs of life in 2022 with the Colts, racking up 63 receptions for 623 yards and three scores. However, he has totaled just 26 receptions for 134 yards and one touchdown in the last two years with the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles. Campbell is a fine WR4 or WR5, but if he’s playing a ton of snaps for Dallas in 2025, that’s probably not a good sign.
Dante Fowler Jr. - EDGE
Contract: One-year, $8 million
Former Team: Washington Commanders
After one of the best seasons of his career with the Washington Commanders, the Cowboys are bringing back Dante Fowler Jr. on a one-year deal. Last season, Fowler registered 39 tackles, 10.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and a 67-yard pick-six in 17 games for Dallas’ NFC East rival. The former Florida Gator spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons with the Cowboys and racked up 10 total sacks in 34 games. He’s durable, dependable, and at least somewhat productive, so expect him to be a Day-1 starter opposite Micah Parsons in 2025.
Jack Sanborn - Linebacker
Contract: One year, TBD
Former Team: Chicago Bears
Sanborn spent the first three seasons of his career with the Chicago Bears after going undrafted in 2022 out of Wisconsin. The 24-year-old tallied 164 tackles (110 solo) 4.5 sacks, one interception, five pass deflections, and five run stuffs in 48 career games (19 starts). While Sanborn would likely be in the starting lineup if the 2025 season started today, Dallas might look to draft another inside linebacker in the 2025 NFL Draft. Either way, he’ll at least be a rotational linebacker with special teams ability.
Kenneth Murray - Linebacker (via trade)
Cowboys receive: Murray, 2025 7th-round pick
Titans receive: 2025 6th-round pick
Dallas’ offseason theme of adding former first-round picks continues with the acquisition of former Chargers and Titans linebacker, Kenneth Murray. Since being selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Oklahoma product has registered 416 tackles, 8.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, three interceptions, 12 pass deflections, and 23.5 run stuffs in 73 career games. Murray is a tremendous athlete with top-end speed for the position, making him a strong pass-rusher from the middle of the defense. However, his struggles in the run game have been his Achilles heel throughout his career. This was a head-scratching trade for Dallas.
Kaiir Elam - Cornerback (via trade)
Cowboys receive: Elam, 2025 6th-round pick
Bills receive: 2025 5th-round pick, 2026 7th-round pick
Yet another former first-round pick, Kaiir Elam struggled to make an impact for the Buffalo Bills and was a healthy scratch for much of his first three NFL seasons. The 23-year-old has appeared in just 29 of 51 possible games, registering 81 tackles, one fumble recovery, two interceptions, and six pass deflections. It would be a surprise if he turns into a legit NFL starter, but perhaps defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus can develop him into a solid depth piece in the backend.
