Locked On Cowboys – Cowboys Squad Show (March 6, 2026)

Episode: The Cowboys Have Cleared Up Cap Space Ahead of NFL Free Agency
Hosts: Landon McCool, Marcus Mosher (absent), Glenn Stretch Smith
Guest Host: Aaron Judge
Network: Locked On Podcast Network

Episode Overview

This Cowboys Squad Show episode dives deep into Dallas Cowboys' latest moves as they prepare for the start of NFL free agency. Hosts Landon McCool, Glenn Stretch Smith, and Aaron Judge break down recent cap space clearing efforts, roster changes, key rumors (including the persistent Max Crosby trade chatter), and possible free agency priorities. The conversation unpacks the Cowboys’ roster-building strategies, the logic behind contract restructures, and draft approach in light of combine takeaways. The hosts also assess possible trade packages, free agent fits, and the relative depth of positions in the 2026 draft.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Roster & Cap Space Moves

• Cowboys Waive Perrion Winfrey; Don’t Tender Brock Hoffman (01:56 – 06:39)

  • Dallas officially waived defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey and chose not to tender versatile backup lineman Brock Hoffman, making him an unrestricted free agent.
  • Landon: “Having Brock Hoffman was really just a luxury at a certain point … you don’t need to pay another backup interior-only guy $6, $5.8 million or whatever the second round tender is.” (05:45)
  • Stretch: “You can’t give money to everybody. But man … he was kind of an asset and now he’s just going to walk away with nothing in return.” (02:20)
  • Both agree it’s a matter of financial priorities and positional depth, especially when already paying other backups at a premium.

• Depth on O-Line and Defensive Line After Moves (06:39 – 08:12)

  • Cowboys still have at least two backup O-linemen who would start on many NFL teams (names like Bass and Adina Jai).
  • Losing Hoffman dings their depth but it's a calculated risk given cap pressures.
  • Stretch: “You cannot get in a position where you’re paying the quarterback like you’re paying him … then paying the receiver … You might as well just play defense on air.” (08:37)

• Perrion Winfrey Release – Head-Scratcher (09:45 – 11:11)

  • All are puzzled by the departure—contract was cheap, player showed flashes, possibly not a scheme fit.
  • Landon: “Honestly that one doesn’t make any sense to me … he showed you a lot of positive stuff in training camp. I’m not 100% sure what’s going on with that one.” (09:49)

2. Cap Space & Contract Restructurings

• How Much Room Is There? Who’s Next? (11:43 – 14:48)
  • Cap restructuring already done with Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, Tyron Smith, freeing $60M; possibly up to $70M left if Dallas wants to pull further triggers.
  • Landon: “The question will be whether they want to … you want to do that with the players you feel like are going to be here a little bit longer.” (12:39)
  • Stretch: Kicking cap hits into the future is risky, but might be less so if cap keeps rising rapidly.

3. Free Agency & Trade Rumors

A. Max Crosby Rumors – Fact or Fiction? (14:49 – 20:13)

• Persistent rumors have Cowboys linked to a blockbuster trade for Raiders pass rusher Max Crosby.
• Landon: “The price was always two first round picks … what’s changed is the Raiders are now more interested in dealing … probably willing to lower the price.” (15:34)
• Both hosts agree no one is likely to pay the full two-first premium, but Cowboys, Rams, Bears, Eagles appear in the running.
• Stretch: “I’m way on board with Trey Hendrickson. … I keep all my picks. Yeah, I might pay you one 20% of what he’s due … but I keep all my picks.” (17:15)

B. Negotiating Trade Terms—Is It Worth It? (18:28 – 20:36)

• Discuss accepting a more reasonable package: Pick #20 and a 2027 second (not two firsts), especially given 2027 class hype.
• Age is a concern (Crosby 29, Hendrickson 32).

4. Roster Priorities: Free Agents or Draft? (22:43 – 35:41)

• Edge rusher is clear top priority, with linebacker and defensive backs also areas of need.
• Landon: “Crosby is the more natural guy to play a heavier load on the outside … I think Hendrickson, you need another guy too… Crosby could really make an impact, change the whole vibe and culture on that defense.” (30:00)
• Hendrickson productive but older/injury-prone; bringing in a younger, higher-upside player or pairing with another acquisition makes sense.
• The hosts warn against tunnel-vision in free agency: DB and linebacker remain important, but safety and corner have defensive depth in the draft.

5. Draft Strategy & Depth by Position

• Draft Position Strengths After Combine (43:54 – 46:40)

  • Landon: “Defensive backs obviously really kind of showed out … the linebacker group for the most part looked good.”
  • Hosts argue the secondary offers the best opportunity to draft two starters this year.

• On “Prototypes” & Flexibility (37:32 – 39:29)

  • Dallas may have to loosen up their arm-length/height standards for DBs due to this class's makeup.
  • Suggestion: Be flexible, trust new staff and development culture with different types of DBs.

• On Trading Back & Draft Capital (35:41 – 37:31)

  • Multiple league sources believe only 12-14 real first-round grades; Dallas’ #20 pick is thus valuable for maneuvering back and stockpiling Day 2 picks.

• Draft Board Not Finalized: Free Agency Shapes the Path

  • Landon emphasizes draft sequencing and contingency planning hinges on results in free agency.

6. Potential Free Agents & Fit

• Nakobe Dean & Reed Blankenship at LB and S (48:00 – 52:38)
  • Both have experience with new DC Christian Parker; familiarity makes them attractive fits.
  • Landon: “I feel better about [Dean’s] fit in this defense than any of these other linebackers because I’ve obviously seen him play in this defense before.” (50:06)
  • Stretch: “If you’re asking me one or the other, I’d rather have Blankenship … Give me the guy that understands the defense, that has gotten us lined up, that knows where to put us in position.” (51:02)
  • Both value “bang for the buck” over splash moves.

7. Coach & Culture Updates

• Matt Eberflus to the 49ers as Assistant Defensive Coach (53:31 – 54:56)
  • Jokes about his previously failed schemes with the Bears, but acknowledge coaching talent.
  • “He was a hell of a football player. But they moved on, and now, you know, they're better there with Quinn and Williams now.” (29:07 - Stretch)

8. Outlook & Final Thoughts

• Everybody eagerly anticipates the start of legal tampering/free agency (Monday, March 11th).
• Stretch: “I don’t think the Cowboys are in a bad position right now. … they absolutely can compete with the Eagles next year, which I think it’s going to be those two teams for the East.” (60:36)
• Landon: “You’ve got a lot to do, but the way things have lined up have really been favorable … now it’s just about executing a strategy correctly.” (61:40)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the economics of keeping talent:
  “If you started signing all these guys … you might as well just line up and play defense on air.”
  — Glenn Stretch Smith (08:37)

• On maximizing draft returns:
  “I get the draft capital mentality. … The Rams, they haven't had a first round pick in nine of the last ten drafts … and they show you they can win without them.”
  — Glenn Stretch Smith (31:25)

• On defensive end priorities:
  “I think that the, Crosby is being linked to the Cowboys because the Cowboys have legitimate interest … once they drop that need for that second first rounder then we can really get to work and seeing who's got the best offer.”
  — Landon McCool (15:34)

• On drafting for need and value:
  “This is one of those years where you really, really do wish that free agency was after the draft … so you can see how the draft falls to you.”
  — Landon McCool (34:09)

• On linebacker free agents with scheme fit:
  “I'd rather have Blankenship … that knows where to put us in position. Give me that guy along with the kid at Oregon.”
  — Glenn Stretch Smith (51:02)

• On cap-room strategy:
  “If the salary cap is going to continue to increase the way it has the last few years, … that number may become some insignificant tax percentage by the time it hits 2030.”
  — Landon McCool (14:21)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Cap Moves & O-Line depth: 01:56 – 08:12
• Winfrey’s Departure: 09:45 – 11:11
• Cap Space Discussion: 11:43 – 14:48
• Max Crosby & Hendrickson Rumors: 14:49 – 20:13
• Free Agent Priorities (D-Line, LB, DB): 22:43 – 30:34
• Draft Depth and Strategy: 33:20 – 39:29, 43:54 – 46:40
• Linebacker/Safety Free Agent Fits: 48:00 – 52:38
• Matt Eberflus Update & Coach Chatter: 53:31 – 56:24
• Final Thoughts & Outlook: 60:36 – end

Summary Table

| Segment | Key Topic | Timestamps | | --- | --- | --- | | Roster Moves | Waivers, Tenders | 01:56 – 08:12 | | Cap Management | Restructurings, Strategies | 11:43 – 14:48 | | Free Agency Targets | Crosby Hype, Hendrickson Option | 14:49 – 20:13 | | Offseason Priorities | Roster Needs, Defensive Depth | 22:43 – 33:20 | | Draft Discussion | Value, Depth, Trading Back | 33:20 – 46:40 | | FA LB/DB Fits | Nakobe Dean, Blankenship | 48:00 – 52:38 |

Tone & Style

• Conversational, insightful, lightly humorous—true to the chemistry of Landon, Stretch, and the show's style ("bang for the buck," "playing defense on air," Rams/Raiders front office jabs).
• Balanced optimism with realism: The hosts are clear-eyed about the financial, roster, and competitive realities but maintain faith in Dallas’ plan and flexibility.

For Listeners Who Missed the Show

If you didn’t catch this episode, you missed a comprehensive, no-nonsense breakdown of Dallas’s cap maneuvering, position-by-position priorities, and what’s real (and what isn’t) about the Max Crosby saga. There’s valuable insight into how Dallas could attack free agency and the draft, which prospects might fit, and what pitfalls to avoid.

Stay tuned: The coming week—legal tampering and actual FA signings—will kick off the new Cowboys season in earnest. If Landon, Marcus, and Stretch are right, the team is poised and prepared for action, with a chance to keep pace with the Eagles and contend for the NFC East crown.