10 remaining free agents who could start for Cowboys in 2025

[ASFN Admin]

The Dallas Cowboys have entered the part of the offseason where they are focused on the NFL draft. With Pro Days winding down, getting players into the building for Dallas Day (Thursday April 4) or a National visit are now the priority ahead of finalizing their draft boards. Once draft weekend is finished though, another phase of free agency will descend upon them.

After the draft, players who were unrestricted free agents no longer count in the comp-pick formula. Right now, Dallas is in line for three extra picks in the 2026 draft. Once the comp window closes, the only thing that will change those projections are playing time and performance. So on Monday, April 28, the race begins again.

ESPN recently listed their top 20 remaining free agents. Teams can of course sign them at any time, but if they are still free at that point, here's a look at 10 of those names who could end up in Dallas depending on how the draft breaks. And who knows, maybe the Cowboys tap one of these names prior to the draft so they aren't forced into a decision.

2024 team: Buffalo Bills | Age entering 2025 season: 31

Cooper's tape is beginning to show signs of decline, but he is still a detailed route runner who can uncover at multiple levels of the field. In 14 games with the Browns and Bills last season, Cooper caught 44 passes for 547 yards and four touchdowns. In nine full seasons, he has topped the 1,000-yard receiving mark seven times and caught 64 career touchdown passes.

Cooper could resume his role as starting wideout opposite CeeDee Lamb, only in a complimentary role. Dallas is pigeon-holed into taking a top-50 receiver right now.

2024 team: Cincinnati Bengals | Age entering 2025 season: 31

A slot corner who plays with a sense of urgency, Hilton had 12 tackles for loss and eight pressures last season. He has a natural feel for playing in space as a coverage defender with the aggressive mentality to tackle and blitz on the edges. In eight seasons, Hilton has 13 interceptions, 11.5 sacks and 34 pass breakups.

The Cowboys haven't replaced Jourdan Lewis and Hilton could be a more-than adequate guy, allowing DaRon Bland to stay on the boundary.

2024 team: Chicago Bears | Age entering 2025 season: 33

Allen caught 70 passes in Chicago, with seven touchdowns. He isn't as dynamic of a mover at this late stage of his career, but the veteran is a crafty route runner who can make himself available to the quarterback. He fits as a chain-moving No. 3 receiver, which is the role he played for the Bears last season.

Another option to play across from Lamb, Allen is the possession receiver that makes every QB's job easier.

2024 team: Jacksonville Jaguars | Age entering 2025 season: 33

Scherff's game should age gracefully given his movement skills and the ability to displace defenders at the point of attack. The 2015 top-five pick had a pass block win rate of 93.8% last year, which ranked 14th among guards and was the second highest of his 10 NFL seasons. Scherff can help a team in a need of a quality starter on the interior.

Scherff immediately slides into Zack Martin's starting spot if he comes to Dallas; allowing them ultimate depth and flexibility with Cooper Beebe and Brock Hoffman battling it out for starting center.

2024 team: Miami Dolphins | Age entering 2025 season: 39

Campbell has played in 261 regular-season NFL games, and he's still setting edges and hitting the quarterback with his 6-8 frame. He has at least five sacks in each of the past three seasons, and he can play in multiple fronts due to his size and strength. Campbell would also add a veteran presence to a locker room.

Campbell simply doesn't age and would fit perfectly as a spot starter next to Osa Odighizuwa.

2024 team: Cleveland Browns | Age entering 2025 season: 26

Injuries have impacted Wills' development, as he has played in 13 games over the past two seasons. He was also benched in 2024 for sitting out a game because of a "business decision." But the 2020 top-10 pick has a career pass block win rate of 92.0% -- which is above league average -- and he could be viewed as a reclamation project, given his lower-body quickness and movement ability.

Signing Wills would give the Cowboys the opportunity to move Tyler Guyton back over to right tackle and have him thinking less. The Cowboys missed the window to get out from Terence Steele's contract this season, but they could trade him to another team if Wills was brought on board.

2024 team: Houston Texans | Age entering 2025 season: 29

Johnson's 2024 season went off the rails after he was traded from the Panthers, which led to disappointing stops with the Ravens and Texans. When dialed in, however, he has inside/outside flexibility with the speed to separate against press coverage. He can also tack on numbers after the catch. With Pittsburgh in 2023, he had 51 catches for 717 yards and five touchdowns. (He had 33 catches for 375 yards and three TDs in 2024.)

Johnson has clearly worn out his welcome with many teams in recent history, but his skillset does fit nicely into what the Cowboys could use.

2024 team: Atlanta Falcons | Age entering 2025 season: 31

Simmons, an excellent communicator in the secondary, had two interceptions last season, and he has 32 in his career. I see his best fit as a veteran addition for a split-safety defense.

The Cowboys aren't in desperate need of safety play, but neither of their projected starters were impressive in the single season under Mike Zimmer. It's assumed though that Donovan Wilson and Malik Hooker will be given the chance to prove they can be winners in Matt Eberflus' system.

2024 team: Seattle Seahawks | Age entering 2025 season: 32

An accountable pro, Lockett has played in at least 15 games in each of his 10 seasons with the Seahawks. Though his speed has regressed on tape, Lockett can still set up coverage and make himself available to the quarterback at multiple levels of the field. He fits as a veteran No. 3 option.

Lockett's best seasons were with Brian Schottenheimer as his OC, so it would make perfect sense for him to join the Cowboys now that Schotty is in the big chair.

2024 team: Arizona Cardinals | Age entering 2025 season: 30

A knee injury cut Hernandez's 2024 season short after just five games. The veteran guard had a pass block win rate over 94% in each of the past three seasons, and he's a physical run blocker. His footwork on contact and his power pop on tape. At age 30, he could still be a starter.

Hernandez worked under new OC Klayton Adams in Arizona and seems like a perfect cheap upside-heavy signing to bring in to compete with Robert Jones for the starting right guard spot.

This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: 2025 Free Agency: Dallas Cowboys could still sign these 10 starters

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