UPGRADE: 10 Free Agents The Dallas Cowboys SHOULD SIGN After 2026 NFL Draft!

Summary

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Locked On Cowboys (April 28, 2026)

Episode Theme:
"Upgrade: 10 Free Agents The Dallas Cowboys SHOULD SIGN After 2026 NFL Draft!"

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Episode Overview

Marcus Mosher and Landon McCool break down which free agents the Dallas Cowboys should target following the 2026 NFL Draft. With the draft in the rear-view mirror and needs still lingering—especially at defensive tackle and linebacker—the hosts analyze veteran options who could immediately raise the floor of the roster, add experience, and fit in the evolving Christian Parker defense. This episode is packed with detailed player assessments, strategic roster thinking, and candid Cowboys analysis.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Defensive Tackle Targets

Focus: Fortifying the middle of the defensive line

• DJ Reader (Clemson; previously with the Giants)
  • "I've loved him coming out of Clemson. I don't know how expensive he's going to be and maybe he's too old, but...he's a big, strong dude and I think just having another veteran body on this defensive line, he would bring a lot of extra power."
    — Landon McCool [02:13]
• Calais Campbell
  • "He's going to be 40 in week one. He played 500 snaps last year and honestly, you probably don't even need him to play that many in Dallas...I just think he can still be a guy that gives you 15 quality snaps weekend and week out."
    — Marcus Mosher [03:20]
• Other Run-Stuffers:
  • Foley Fatukasi (Houston) and Mike Pennel (Kansas City) mentioned as solid, more specialized nose tackle additions.
    • "Adding a guy like Pinel or Fatakasi is another just guy that you could throw at an offensive line...not get blown off the ball and hopefully put them into obvious passing downs..."
      — Landon McCool [04:43]

Notable Quote:

"Just to kind of raise the floor on...the middle of that interior defense. You really, really would love to get a solidified rock at run defensive unit."
— Landon McCool [04:43]

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2. Edge Rusher Options

Focus: Depth, versatility, and veteran leadership

• Kyle Van Noy
  • "He's an edge rusher, but he's still really good at stopping the run, dropping into coverage...adding another veteran."
    — Marcus Mosher [05:21]
  • "Van Noy makes a ton of sense. I mean, you've been banging that drum for a long time...they have added extra value to your defense."
    — Landon McCool [05:43]
• Familiar Faces:
  • Dante Fowler suggested as a reliable, known contributor who can step up if needed.
    • "Dante Fowler hasn't let us down every single time we've...given him a contract. So if you feel like you needed some extra rush...call up an old friend."
      — Landon McCool [05:58]

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3. Linebacker Depth & Upgrades

Focus: Addressing attrition and inexperience

• Veterans Discussed:
  • Bobby Okereke: "Certainly just to raise the level of competency there would be...good."
    — Landon McCool [08:43]
  • Eric Kendricks: "A competent veteran presence who, you know can do the job."
    — Landon McCool [09:09]
• Unique Profile Additions:
  • Landon Roberts (Steelers, Raiders): "Phenomenal run defending linebacker...he is relentless coming downhill. And honestly, I think he would fit well with Overshown and Dee Winters..."
    — Marcus Mosher [09:58]
  • Shaq Thompson (Bills): "One of the best coverage linebackers in the league...he played some really good football last year."
    — Marcus Mosher [10:32]
  • Jordan Brooks (potential trade target): "Maybe throw a third round pick next year and see if they'd be interested and give us Jordan Brooks."
    — Landon McCool [11:35]

Memorable Moment:

"We talked about it, how they're kind of the running back of the defense in some ways. And I think needing a bunch of these through a long season is going to be an important thing."
— Landon McCool [11:05]

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4. Roster Philosophy and Strategy

Focus: Why adding proven veterans matters

• Emphasis on lowering risk and raising the baseline by boosting experience and competition.
• The Christian Parker defensive scheme prizes versatility—versatile DTs, edges, and hybrid linebackers are prioritized.
• Roster building is ongoing even after the draft; "this list could even grow instead of just subtract."
  — Landon McCool [02:07]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Post-Draft Needs and Focus Areas: [01:09–02:02]
• Defensive Tackle Discussion: [02:02–04:32]
• Edge Rusher Options: [05:21–06:29]
• Linebacker Options & Specific Veterans: [08:16–11:40]

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Notable Quotes

• "He's going to be 40 in week one...But I love that fit as a guy who can play five technique, you can play four eye, you can kick him inside..."
  — Marcus Mosher on Calais Campbell [03:18]

• "Adding a guy like Pinel or Fatakasi is another just guy that you could throw at an offensive line...and hopefully put them into obvious passing downs..."
  — Landon McCool [04:43]

• "I think needing a bunch of these through a long season is going to be an important thing."
  — Landon McCool [11:05]

• "We talked about how the Cowboys are going to like to stem their line a little bit. So I think when you have more versatile guys...they have added extra value to your defense."
  — Landon McCool [05:45]

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Episode Takeaways

• Priorities: Cowboys need defensive line reinforcement, versatility at edge, and reliable veteran linebackers.
• Veteran Wisdom: The hosts repeatedly stress the value of experienced, reliable veterans, especially in positions prone to injury.
• Strategic Fit: New additions must fit the Christian Parker defense, emphasizing flexibility and situational effectiveness.
• Names to Watch: DJ Reader, Calais Campbell, Kyle Van Noy, Bobby Okereke, Eric Kendricks, Landon Roberts, Shaq Thompson, and trade target Jordan Brooks.

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For Further Cowboys Analysis

• Check out the earlier episode for in-depth draft reaction (Malachi Lawrence, Jayshon Barham, LT Overton).
• Stay tuned for continued coverage on how these suggested moves develop through the offseason.

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Transcript

[Marcus Mosher]

It's the Locked On Podcast network. Your team every day.

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[Marcus Mosher]

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[Marcus Mosher]

The NFL draft is over, but that doesn't mean player acquisition has stopped. We'll talk about some of our favorite free agents next. You are Locked on Cowboys, your daily Dallas Cowboys podcast, part of the Locked On Podcast network. Your team every day. Welcome back. I'm your host Marcus Mosher. He is Landon McCool. We're talking about some of the top free agents who are currently available. After the NFL draft, the Cowboys addressed a lot of needs of safety three edge rushers they drafted. If you missed our earlier show from today, go check it out. We talked about Malachi Lawrence, Jayshon Barham and LT Overton. But later, who are some of the free agents that you think the Cowboys could sign now that would really raise the floor of this defense.

[Landon McCool]

Well now, first of all, we should say that this is obviously ever changing list and, and especially since the draft has come out and people have been selected, there's a chance that this list could even grow instead of just subtract so. But I do think that the two areas that you and I kind of agree that they probably could target if they were still looking to continue to fortify is defensive tackle and linebacker. Right. It feels like to me that they could probably get one more body on the defensive line. It would really, really help their chances. So looking at the defensive tackle specifically up front, I'm going to throw a name out. This has been my guy for a really long time. I loved him coming out of Clemson. I don't know how expensive he's going to be and maybe he's too old, but if that's a problem, then some of the other people we're going to talk about is going to also be a problem for. But DJ Reader is a guy that I I really have loved for a long, long time. He's a real big body. You could play him at the nose. I bet you could even play him a little bit at the four eye or a five maybe in certain looks. But he's just a guy who can occupy some space. He's a big, strong dude and I think just having another veteran body on this defensive line, he would bring a lot of extra power in the middle of that defense.

[Marcus Mosher]

Yeah. Now it sounds like the Giants are really interested in Reader and it makes sense considering they traded away Dexter Lawrence. They have a starting job available. But I'm looking at a guy like Claes Campbell, who is going to be 40 in week one. He played 500 snaps last year and honestly, you probably don't even need him to play that many in Dallas. You're probably looking at like 400 or so. But I love that fit in as a who can play five technique. You can play four eye, you can kick him inside and have him play three technique. Just somebody that can kind of eat up innings on early downs. He gets his hands in the passing lane. He's still effective as a pass rusher. He's still just a really good overall player. And I know the wall's coming for him at some point, but if you take a hundred snaps off your plate, like I, I just think he can still be a guy that gives you 15 quality snaps weekend and week out.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah. And obviously a really good player has been a really good player for a long time and frankly, his play has not diminished very much over these last few years, which has really been impressive. You know, there's also other routes that they could take. Right. There's some, some more specific names if you wanted route of guys that you feel like could be more specifically nose tackles. Right. Like Fatukasi from Houston or maybe Mike Pinell from Kansas City.

[Marcus Mosher]

And Fatakasi is a great example because they just drafted Cade McDonald in round two. So I doubt he's coming back. He's a guy that you could get probably on a one year, $2 million deal.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah. And again, like, I think just to kind of raise the floor on the, the middle of that interior defense, you really, really would love to get a solidified rocket run defensive unit because that can help you get into some of these more complicated sim pressures and complicated coverage stuff. That's going to really help you unlock Christian Parker. Which is why I think you've seen an emphasis on stronger players in this class. And you know, adding a guy like Pinel or Fatakasi is another just guy that you could throw at an offensive line to. To, you know, not get blown off the ball and hopefully put them into obvious passing downs that let you take advantage of that.

[Marcus Mosher]

What about someone like Kyle Van Noy, who I believe is 35 now? He's an edge rusher, but he's still really good at stopping the run, dropping into coverage. You've got Donovan as a rock who coming off hip surgery, you've got Malachi Lawrence as a rookie. They do have Sam Williams and James Houston. So it'd be adding another veteran. But are there any edge rushers that you think make sense or do you feel like that room is, for the most part, completed?

[Landon McCool]

Van Noy makes a ton of sense. I mean, you've been banging that drum for a long time, but now it even makes more sense, obviously, in the Christian Parker defense because of the reasons you talked about. We've talked about how the Cowboys are going to like to stem their line a little bit. So I think when you have more versatile guys who can play linebacker, who can play the edge, you kind of flow back and forth. They. They have added extra value to your defense. So I think Van Noy is a name that makes some sense. You know, I wouldn't be opposed to if we're just doing that if we're looking for bodies on the edge. I mean, Dante Fowler hasn't let us down every single time we've. We've given him a contract. So if you feel like you needed some. Some extra rush to kind of help get you through the early part of the season with Ezra Zaraku, call up an old friend who's. Who's done nothing but do good stuff for you, for sure.

[Marcus Mosher]

All right, let's talk about some linebackers, because that's the spot that everybody really cares about. Are there any linebackers available outside of Bobby Wagner? That makes sense. We'll get to that next. This episode is brought to you by Rugby. The NFL draft was absolutely amazing. It's where preparation meets opportunity, and every decision matters. And it's all about being ready when your moment comes. And that same mindset applies off the field, too. And that's where rouge it comes in. Rouge. It offers treatments designed to help you feel ready and confident when it matters the most. Their top option, Rouge It Ready is a mint that dissolves under your tongue with clinically proven ingredients. It works quickly, usually in about 15 minutes or so, and the effects can last up to 36 hours. And they also offer Go long, designed to help with both performance and, and control. It's all about showing up at your best whenever that moment is. Head over to rugia.com lot NFL and get 15 off your ED treatment. That's R U G I-E-T.com lot NFL for 15 off Rushia Performance Medicine for Men welcome back to the Latta Cowboys Podcast. Let's talk about some more available free agents. Linebacker Landon, I know they signed or, excuse me, traded for D. Winters. They have the Marvin Overshone who recently hired David Mulgetta to be his agent.

[Landon McCool]

That's fun.

[Marcus Mosher]

Jason Barham who's going to go back and forth between edge and linebacker. And then you've got someone like Shamar James who they drafted in the fifth round last year. Is there spot. Is there a spot for one more veteran linebacker?

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I mean, look, this is all going to be kind of hinging on how they feel about Sherman James. Right. Because I think that we don't have the insight on that really. So if they really like him, I imagine that they'll probably give him a little bit of Runway and maybe they sign like a lesser veteran to kind of have him compete with. But if they, if they don't or if they're just not sure, like, I certainly think that there is one more, you know, starting level linebacker that you could add to this roster that's just going to use a lot of linebackers. And look, they, they, they get used a lot. They, they get hurt and they spend this time the, the main guy that you've got at linebacker right now and Overshone is a guy hurt every single year in some form of fashion. So I think it's, it's worth. Worth to have a bunch of bodies here. So I think Bobby Okaraku. Okaraki. I got Ricky. Sorry. Yeah. I mean, I always have kind of admired him from afar a little bit. I've always. It just feels like every time when he played with the Giants, I blew him off a little bit. It just felt like he wasn't going to be as, as impressive and he always kind of shows up and plays well and you watch him against, when he plays other teams and he's one of the few guys that actually is playing good football for the Giants defensive side at times. So he, I think, you know, certainly just to raise the level of competency there would, would be. Would be good. You know, obviously I think that we've seen positive things from Eric Kendricks last year when he was with San Francisco and obviously with, when he was with the Cowboys. I would not be upset to Bring him back just again as a competent veteran presence who, you know can do the job. I certainly think that he would be a guy that I would like at least see what, what the number is. What, what about you?

[Marcus Mosher]

I got two guys and they're, they're completely different. Landon Roberts, who was with the Steelers, he was with the Raiders last year. He's gonna be. He just turned 32. He is a phenomenal run defending linebacker. If you want a guy that's going to take on guards, he. If you remember correctly, he's the guy that forced the fumble on Rico Daddle at the goal line in that Pittsburgh game that Dak fumbled. Like, he is relentless coming downhill. And honestly, I think he would fit well with Overshown and Dee Winters. Like two smaller guys. This guy can be a downhill thumper, but if you want a guy that's a little bit more athletic. Shaq Thompson, who played with the Bills last year, he's been wanting a long term deal. That's not going to happen. He's going to take a one year contract, but he's still one of the best coverage linebackers in the league. Now, he would be a little bit redundant with what you have in Winters and overshone, but he played some really good football last year.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I mean, again, like, I think there are certainly guys out here that you can add to this group that are going to be improvements just because these are the positions that kind of get, you know, are hurt a lot and you need to rotate them.

[Marcus Mosher]

A lot of contact.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, there's a lot of contact. We talked about it, how they're kind of the running back of the defense in some ways. And I think needing a bunch of these through a long season is going to be an important thing. So. Yeah, honestly, adding any one of those guys, I'll throw in one more, obviously, or maybe circle back with Miami and see what Jordan Brooks would cost. We heard whispers that it was going to be a day two pick potentially, you know, during the draft. That felt a little bit rich. But could you maybe convince them now that we're done and we've gotten the other side? They've drafted two linebackers. Maybe throw a third round pick next year and see if they'd be interested and give us Jordan Brooks.

[Marcus Mosher]

All right, that is it for today's show. We'd like to thank you for making Lockdown Cowboys your first listen every single day. Make sure you subscribe and follow the podcast so you get all of the latest episodes. And if you never miss an episode, the Everydayer club is built for you. Get Locked on Cowboys ad Free plus members only, Discord Access and so much more. Head over to lock on cowboys.supercast.com to join the club. And for those of you on video, we can send you the first ever 24. 7 national NBA YouTube channel. And on audio, make your second listen the locked on NFL Draft podcast. Follow Landon on Twitter @mccoolbcb. I'm arcusmosier. We'll see you right back here tomorrow.

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