Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine highlighted Odighizuwa and Clark as the Cowboys’ top trade assets this offseason. The logic is simple: paying three defensive tackles a combined roughly $63 million against the cap next year isn’t ideal for roster construction. With Williams secured via recent moves, the question becomes whether Dallas should cash in on Clark or Odighizuwa. Ballentine noted Clark’s $21.5 million in potential savings as a logical target, while Odighizuwa’s ongoing development and age (27) add value to the trade market.
Despite adding top-tier talent at defensive tackle, the overall defensive performance has not followed. Dallas finished 7-9-1 and missed the playoffs, ranking 30th in the NFL in defense. Some observers argue that trading away Micah Parsons—one of the league’s elite defenders—set the course, and the Cowboys have yet to translate the assets they received in return into a cohesive, higher-performing unit.
Off the field, Dallas is also reshaping its leadership on defense. After firing defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, the Cowboys hired Christian Parker, a 34-year-old former Eagles assistant who served as Philadelphia’s pass-game coordinator since 2024. Parker’s arrival signals a shift in approach and emphasis as Dallas looks to stabilize the unit around its interior talent.
Looking ahead to the 2026 slate, Dallas owns two first-round picks (Nos. 12 and 20). Mel Kiper Jr. projected the Cowboys to target Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles at No. 12 and Miami defensive end Akheem Mesidor at No. 20, in his initial mock. Styles would offer a dynamic interior presence and range, with notable tackle totals in recent seasons, while Mesidor would add edge presence to a front that has sought more disruption.
In sum, Dallas faces a crossroads between cap discipline and structural improvement on defense. Trading either Odighizuwa or Clark remains an appealing option to unlock funds, while a potentially heavy 2026 draft investment—focused on linebacker and defensive-line impact players—could shape the team’s strategic path as they rebuild around Williams and a newly installed defensive staff.
