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The Dallas Cowboys have invested heavily in the secondary this offseason. They now have proven veterans, rising young stars, and quality depth at each position. If it all comes together, they could have one of the league’s premier defensive backfields.
That's what Matt Eberflus didn't have last year. The cornerbacks and safety positions broke down, and it was frustrating to watch. The secondary players would get lost in coverage, and at times, no one was on the same page in zone defense.
Now, the former Philadelphia Eagles passing game coordinator Christian Parker has a reputation for building strong secondaries. It’s not just about one player. Since Jerry Jones pushed to stop the run, the front seven has become dominant. Now, key additions have completely revamped a once-porous bunch on the backend, especially at safety.
The Cowboys' safety room has everything it needs
One of the areas Dallas had to shore up after last season was the safety position. That’s why they went out and signed Jalen Thompson to a three-year, $33 million deal. He spent his first seven seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, eventually becoming one of the most reliable at the position. In fact, some coaches and execs ranked him as one of the 10 best safeties in the NFL, showing up in the “others receiving votes” category.
Last season, Thompson totaled 95 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. He won’t just line up as a safety, too.
“Expect to see him move around between free safety, strong safety and nickel corner, with a rep or two at off-ball linebacker mixed in as well, at times. Thompson is a field general of the highest order (which is why he's a green dot candidate),” - Patrik Walker, DallasCowboys.com.
Speaking of green dot candidates, some believe that rookie Caleb Downs may eventually grow into the role. The Ohio State standout is coming in with high expectations. For all we know, he could already be one of the league’s standout safeties.
As of now, Downs is listed as the nickel back on the depth chart. But like Thompson, he’s expected to move around and get reps at free and strong safety. Together, the two should give Dallas a blend of experience and explosiveness.
Malik Hooker has been the only reliable one to stay all these years, but now he has Thompson and P.J. Locke by his side. Locke is a veteran safety from the Denver Broncos who didn't do much in 2025, but he was around one of the most dominant defenses in the league last season.
At the very least, the safety room should be miles better than it was last season, as the Cowboys gave up 35 receiving touchdowns, which was the second-highest mark behind the New York Jets. They also gave up 14 receptions of 40 yards or more, and 58 receptions of 20 yards or more.
If everything comes together, the backline of defense could be one of the better units in the NFL.
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This article was originally published on sportdfw.com as Cowboys' safety room has been completely revamped from Matt Eberflus' nightmare.
