Let’s say the Dallas Cowboys can’t replace Micah Parsons internally. Let’s say Sam Williams, Dante Fowler, Marshawn Kneeland, Justin Houston and Donovan Ezeiruaku all fail to pick up the slack in 2025 and new options are needed for the defense to survive the post-Parsons era in Dallas.
If the Cowboy front office can successfully dodge the inevitable barrage of “I told you sos” they should be able to find more than a few decent options in free agency this coming winter. After all, they saved boatloads on Parsons’ would-be deal in the trade and in Jerry’s own words that allows them to spend on players they otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford.
The 2026 free agent class just happens to be a smorgasbord of edge player options. From older veterans who offer solid bang for the buck, to star players who rival Parsons as elite rushers, all the way to younger guys who bring with them all the excitement of undiscovered ceilings, this free agent class should have it all. Assuming all are able to test the market, the Cowboys should have some tantalizing options to consider.
Edge No. 1: Trey Hendrickson, 30
Like Parsons, Hendrickson consistently ranks in the top tier of pass rushers. His ability to win on the edge has made him a gamechanger in the NFL. The four-time Pro Bowler’s well publicized contract tiff with the Cincinnati Bengals was recently resolved with a one-time pay hike, but the 30-year-old from Florida Atlantic is still slated to hit free agency in 2026.
Given he’ll be 31 next season, he’s not likely to hit the total figures T.J. Watt, Myles Garrett or Parsons are at, but his annual figure probably won’t be cheap either. Hendrickson was graded just three spots behind Parsons last season, so he offers similar production with a much shorter commitment.
If Hendrickson hits the market and the money is right, Jerry Jones and company could secure an elite player with proven production.
Edge option No. 2: Khalil Mack, 34
Mack represents the veteran of the free agent bunch and because of that he might bring the most value. Mack actually graded better than Parsons last season in all-around play and is only one season removed from a 17-sack, All-Pro season.
Given his age, Mack would likely only require a year-to-year commitment from teams, making him right up the Cowboys’ alley. Mack could fit in at the top of a rotation in much the same way Dante Fowler does in Dallas now.
Edge option No. 3: Nik Bonitto, 25
The Denver Broncos star pass rusher is likely the prize of the free agent class. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound edge rusher is coming off a 13.5 sack season and just entering the prime of his career. The Broncos will want to extend him as quickly as possible but if they can’t, and if Dallas wants to pay top dollar to fill Parsons’s position, Bonitto is tough to beat.
Bonitto and Ezeiruaku would give the Cowboys a pair of undersized edge players so additional roster moves and scheme changes may be needed to support such a situation. But with a pass rushing duo like that, most teams would welcome such a headache.
Edge option No. 4: Kwity Paye, 26
Paye has been somewhat of an underachiever since being drafted in the first round four seasons ago but he’s by no means a bust. Logging a combined 16.5 sacks over the last two seasons, he’s been productive in the Indianapolis Colts’ rotation and could still theoretically breakout as a double-digit sack master given his age and physical skillset.
If the Cowboys like what Ezeiruaku shows them in 2025 and are happy with Marshawn Kneeland’s progression, they could invest modestly in someone like Paye. He’d be a middle-class free agent pick up with a little bit of lottery potential making him an attractive addition for a handful of franchises.
Edge option No. 5: Jaelan Phillips, 26
Phillips, Paye’s classmate in the 2021 NFL draft, might just be the perfect low-risk, high-reward player the Cowboys need. The former first rounder was a draft darling four years ago, blessed with exception physical skills and solid college production.
Injuries will always be associated with Phillips which is why he’ll likely be a bargain if or when he hits the open market. He has yet to post a double-digit sack season and is coming off a year where he only played four games while posting one sack.
Phillips isn’t a player a team pins their hopes to but if Dallas liked their core at defensive end, taking a flyer on Phillips makes perfect sense.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: 5 free agents edge rushers Cowboys can sign to replace Micah Parsons include 4x Pro Bowler
Reporting by Reid D Hanson, Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
