Dallas Cowboys offseason grade: Dallas beefs up its defense

Safety Caleb Downs and cornerback Devin Moore are two of Dallas’s additions on defense. | Chris Jones-Imagn Images The New York Giants have struggled against the Dallas Cowboys throughout the Dak Prescott era. New York did defeat Dallas 34–17 in a Week 18 matchup last season—its first win over Prescott since his rookie year — but overall, the Giants have not consistently threatened the Cowboys in nearly a decade.

Prescott and the Cowboys scored 27. 7 points per game last season, ranking them seventh in the NFL. With Goerge Pickens set to return after signing the franchise tag, Prescott and company will look to continue their offensive production, while the defense of Dallas receives an upgrade in personnel and a different coach coordinating the unit.

Christian Parker relieved Matt Eberflus after spending years with Vic Fangio in Denver and Philadelphia. Parker receives several defensive upgrades in free agency, but – especially – in the draft. Ohio State safety Caleb Downs brings his insanely high football IQ to a defense that should be improved, albeit still recovering from the loss of Micah Parsons prior to last season.

Let’s get into the Cowboys off-season. Key additions: CB Cobie Durant, edge Rashan Gary, DT Otito Ogbonnia, S Jalen Thompson, C Matt Hennessy, WR Marquez Valdez-Scantling, QB Sam Howell Key subtractions: Edge Jadeveon Clowney, edge Dante Fowler Jr. , DT Osa Odighizuwa, LB Logan Wilson 2026 NFL Draft Round 1, Pick 11: Caleb Downs, Safety, Ohio State Round 1, Pick 23: Malachi Lawrence, Edge, UCF Round 3, Pick 28: Jaishawn Barham, Edge, Michigan Round 4, Pick 12: Drew Shelton, OT, Penn State Round 4, Pick 14: Devin Moore, CB, Florida Round 4, Pick 37: L.