A strong draft helped fill some of the holes on the Cowboys roster.
However, there are still needs that could do with addressing.
While more options will become available as we go through training camp, here are three current free agents I think the Dallas Cowboys should seriously consider signing.
Mike Hilton – Cornerback (2024 team – Cincinnati Bengals)
The Cowboys lost slot cornerback Jourdan Lewis earlier in free agency and could replace the former Michigan man with a player with eight years of experience in the hard-hitting AFC North.
Hilton has split his career with time in Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, and fits exactly what the Cowboys need in their secondary.
He is comfortable playing in space in coverage as well as having an aggressive streak that supports both the run game and blitzing.
Hilton offers a great fit to new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus’ scheme. It requires the secondary to be able to play plenty of zone coverage and Hilton can be relied on to play the slot corner role that will complement the CBs on the edges.
Jedrick Wills Jr. – Offensive Tackle (2024 team – Cleveland Browns)
Dallas have already taken on a couple of reclamation projects in Payton Turner and Kaiir Elam so why not add another one into the mix?
The Cowboys seem pretty set on the offensive line and also drafted guard Tyler Booker with the 12th overall pick. However, the Cowboys do not have depth at the tackle position.
A top 10 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Wills’ development has been hampered by injury and there has been talk Wills could sit out 2025 to recover from lingering knee issues.
At this point, it is worth getting Wills into the building to see what there is to work with. The pedigree is undeniable and in time, he could provide great depth to a unit that has struggled when starters have missed time.
Julian Blackmon – Safety (2024 team – Indianapolis Colts)
Donovan Wilson and Malik Hooker have given the Cowboys safety play at a level above expectation since coming together in 2022.
While you should not turn your nose up at solid secondary play, Dallas need a little bit more juice at the position heading into 2025 – and that is where Blackmon comes in.
Wilson and Hooker are 30 and 29 years old respectively, so the Cowboys could get a little younger at the position. They could also do with an injection of speed.
Getting back to forcing turnovers is going to be a big priority for the Cowboys defense. They led the league in 2022 with 33 takeaways and have finished towards the middle of the pack in the two seasons since.
Blackmon has seven interceptions over the last two seasons and managed to recover three fumbles.
The former Colt is likely to command significant money on a short-term deal and with the impending Micah Parsons deal to complete, it will be financially tricky to pull off.
