According to ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler, the Cowboys have already identified a shortlist of targets as they look to rebuild their pass rush.
Among the names firmly on Dallas’ radar are Trey Hendrickson, Jaelan Phillips, Odafe Oweh, and Boye Mafe.
Cowboys Target Trey Hendrickson After Crosby Miss
The biggest name linked to Dallas is Trey Hendrickson, who is expected to command one of the largest contracts among defensive free agents.
The veteran edge rusher led the NFL with 35 sacks between the 2023 and 2024 seasons and earned four Pro Bowl selections, cementing his reputation as one of the league’s most consistent pass rushers.
𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: The Cowboys are now the heavy FAVORITES to sign former Bengals superstar DE Trey Hendrickson on Polymarket.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 7, 2026
Dallas would be UNSTOPPABLE with Trey 👀 pic.twitter.com/Olzs1ICP2x
Hendrickson’s 2025 season was shortened by injury, limiting him to four sacks, but his track record still makes him a premium option for teams looking to upgrade their pass rush.
The Cincinnati Bengals chose not to place the franchise tag on him, opening the door for contenders like Dallas to pursue him once free agency begins.
Cowboys Monitoring Phillips, Oweh, and Mafe
Beyond Hendrickson, Dallas is also closely monitoring a younger group of edge rushers.
Jaelan Phillips has long been viewed as one of the most talented pass rushers available, despite dealing with injuries earlier in his career. The former first-round pick recorded 73 quarterback pressures last season, one of the top marks among NFL edge defenders.
Odafe Oweh is another intriguing option after a breakout stretch with the Los Angeles Chargers, where he produced 7.5 sacks in just 12 games following a midseason trade. His speed and explosiveness have helped elevate his market value, especially after adding three sacks in the playoffs.
JUST IN:
— The Eagle Times (@_TheEagleTimes) March 2, 2026
Eagles EDGE Jaelan Phillips could land a 4-year, $100M deal ($25M/year) this offseason. 👀
26 years old. Elite rusher. pic.twitter.com/K0oqSF802X
Meanwhile, Boye Mafe could represent a more affordable option for Dallas. The Seattle Seahawks defender had nine sacks in 2023 but saw his role reduced during Seattle’s recent Super Bowl run, finishing with just two sacks last season.
A change of scenery could allow Mafe to rebound in a bigger role within Dallas’ defense.
With the Cowboys coming off a season where their defense ranked near the bottom of the league in several key categories, improving the pass rush is expected to be a major offseason priority.
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