Defensively, Dallas is prioritizing improvements on both the pass rush and the back end. The 2025 campaign underscored the need for reliable pressure and a steadier secondary, prompting speculation about which available players could help fix those areas as soon as free agency opens.
Among the names connected to a potential Cowboys pursuit is Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen. Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox named Dallas among his top suitors for Woolen, who could command a substantial contract in free agency, with a reported target around $24 million over three seasons. Knox also noted the Bengals as another possible destination.
Woolen, 26, posted 16 games in the 2025 season and owns a profile that fits Dallas’s needs: a towering 6’4″ frame, strong ball skills, and the ability to play press coverage and make plays on the football. Across his 64-game NFL career, Woolen has accumulated 203 tackles, 12 interceptions, 53 defended passes, one defensive touchdown, and a few other impactful plays, offering Chicago-level production potential at a premium position.
If the price tag holds, Woolen could step in as the Cowboys’ No. 1 corner and provide an immediate upgrade on the boundary, pairing with a improving defense and giving Dallas a more reliable outside shell. A three-year, $24 million deal would be a sizable but plausible investment for a franchise looking to reestablish itself as a top contender.
As rumors swirl ahead of the 2026 free-agent cycle, Dallas fans and observers will watch how aggressively Jones recruits and how the Cowboys allocate their extra first-round pick. Woolen’s potential arrival would align with Dallas’s stated aim of strengthening the defense and returning to Super Bowl contention in the near term.
