Projecting the starting lineup of the Dallas Cowboys defense, featuring eight new starters compared to last year’s Week 1
The Dallas Cowboys overhauled their defense in the offseason. What will their starting lineup look like in Week 1? Here’s our best guess following the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Dallas Cowboys say they have overhauled their defense. It’s tough to argue otherwise.
Not only is there a new defensive coordinator in town, but the talent is also looking very different ahead of the 2026 season—especially after a defense-centric draft. The Cowboys could very well field five to seven starters (depending on who you consider a 2025 starter as lineups changed drastically over the season). And yes, the depth has also changed.
So what is the defense going to look like? Below is my best guess at the Cowboys’ starting lineup on defense. Context will be needed, so make sure you check out the notes section.
Projected Cowboys starting lineup on defense
The below projection considers a nickel package, which means it’s made up of five defensive backs, two inside linebackers, and a four-man defensive front. Players with an asterisk denote a new starter compared to last year’s Week 1.
- EDGE: Rashan Gary*
- EDGE: Donovan Ezeiruaku*
- Defensive tackle (three-technique): Quinnen Williams*
- Defensive tackle (nose): Kenny Clark
- Middle linebacker: Dee Winters*
- Weakside linebacker: DeMarvion Overshown*
- Nickel: Caleb Downs*
- Cornerback: Cobie Durant*
- Cornerback: DaRon Bland
- Safety: Jalen Thompson*
- Safety: Malik Hooker
Notes
- Though I’m listing first-round pick Caleb Downs at nickel, I expect him to move around a lot. But the Cowboys have publicly said the initial plan is for him to man the slot. so he’s the nickel until proven otherwise.
- I believe the Cowboys will genuinely be multiple and that means there will be a wide variety of packages. I expect first-round pick Malachi Lawrence to be heavily involved in passing downs, where he can exercise his pass rush more freely and not worry about the run a whole lot. Third-round pick Jaishawn Barham will likely see subpackages that feature him.
- While I listed Williams and Clark in specific spots, I also expect the two to move around a lot. But Williams is likely better suited for a wider alignment to get after the quarterback with his signature explosiveness.
- Parker’s defense is going to feature hybrids, so expect the lines between linebacker, nickel, safety, and even edge rusher to be blurred a little. Players like Barham and Downs are set to have multiple roles.
Toughest spots to predict
- Cornerback: I think one of the outside cornerback spots comes down to Durant and Shavon Revel Jr. Consider it a top position battle to watch moving forward.
- Linebacker: Though I have Winters at middle linebacker, I should point out he has been more than a Will than a Mike before joining Dallas. I won’t be surprised if and when the Cowboys bring in someone else.
- EDGE: I expect plenty of rotation at this spot, but Gary and Ezeiruaku are the safer bets.