Barnwell writes: “I'm enthused about quite a few of the moves the Cowboys made on defense this offseason, including the decision to move up one spot and draft safety Caleb Downs at No. 11. But when we consider the cost involved, there might not be a better move than signing Durant away from the Rams on a one-year deal for about as much as Dak Prescott makes per game. …

“Despite his modest deal, Durant should be a massive upgrade on what the Cowboys rolled out at CB last season.”

So what did ESPN’s Bill Barnwell think was Dallas’ worst deal? Restructuring the deal of starting tackle Terence Steele.

Barnwell writes: ”While Steele was once a glowing example of Dallas' ability to develop offensive linemen, the former undrafted free agent hasn't been the same since suffering a multi-ligament knee injury at the end of the 2022 season. Steele is tough and hasn't missed a game over the ensuing three seasons, but he has struggled badly with speedier, twitchier edge rushers like Bryce Huff and Jonathan Greenard over the past two years.

”The Cowboys could have cut Steele to avoid triggering his $13.3 million salary this offseason, but instead, they signed the incumbent tackle to a three-year, $33 million deal, paying the 28-year-old $13 million in cash this year in the process.“

The Cowboys (and everyone else) could use another edge rusher, and Sports Illustrated’s Randy Gurzi threw out a name: Arizona Cardinal Josh Sweat. This is all apropos of NFL Insider Jordan Schultz (a well-connected source) saying the Cardinals are listening to offers for a player who made the Pro Bowl after a 12-sack season.

Just about anyone, including the Cardinals, would be better off with Sweat; he has been connected to many teams after Schultz’s report broke, and, of course, one of them is the Cowboys.

Gurzi writes: “Landing Sweat won't be cheap, but the Cowboys should be willing to get aggressive. While he won't net a first-round pick and more, the way Maxx Crosby would have, he's still going to command a premium pick.

That means the Cowboys might need to be willing to send their 2026 second-round pick to the Cardinals for Sweat. If that seems like too much, they could offer a third and possibly Malik Hooker, which could help Arizona replace Jalen Thompson, who signed with Dallas this offseason.

To give an idea of how these things take off, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox came up with seven landing spots for Sweat, including the Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys.

Of the Cowboys, Knox writes: “With an offense that ranked second overall in 2025, they're poised to make a run now, but their opportunities could be dwindling.

“Dak Prescott will turn 33 in July, and last year's breakout star, receiver George Pickens, is set to play on the franchise tag. If Sweat becomes available, adding him would help Dallas get the most out of its 2026 campaign.”

Dallas Cowboys depth chart

To say a depth chart is fluid at this point in the offseason is an understatement, but at this point of the offseason, here is what Dallas is looking at as it gets ready for OTAs on June 1.

T.J. Bass

Kelvin Gilliam Jr.

Shavon Revel Jr.

P.J. Locke

Bret Bloomquist can be reached, bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on X.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Which offseason DB pick-up was Dallas Cowboys’ best?

Jaydon Blue / Phil Mafah

Marquez Valdes-Scantling

Placekicker (K): Brandon Aubrey

Punter (P): Bryan Anger

Long Snapper (LS): Trent Sieg