Dallas’ two recent free agency additions have the ability to play both safety spots and nickel corner.
, a pair of newly signed, versatile safeties, are expected to quickly improve an underperforming group. Last year’s starting safeties, Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson, are now on two different paths. Hooker remains on the team, after, opening $2.
2 million in salary cap space. Wilson, who led the team with two interceptions, is on the free agent market. It’s unfair to blame the safety play on the Cowboys’ defensive struggles, but communication and a lack of playmaking contributed to the unit’s overall woes.“We got all the right pieces,” Thompson said this week. “We seen what CP can do as a defensive coordinator and see the type of plays he can do and he puts the players in the right places. And players that have worked under him have been All-Pros and been at that next level. I think he brings that versatility to the defense, guys being in different places and guys doing the right things for the team.”Thompson played 980 defensive snaps in 2025 for Arizona and participated mainly in three different areas: box , slot and free safety .Locke picked up a majority of his playing time later in the season. In the last six games of the season, including the postseason, Locke also played three safety positions. Out of 288 snaps during that span, he played 145 snaps from free safety.“We mentioned it a little, but it just depends on how the depth chart actually shakes out,” Locke said Thursday when he was introduced to local media. “But I played nickel in college.”Wilson played with a physicality that was needed during his time in Dallas, but his 14 missed tackles in 2025 was alarming.Parker wants safeties who are good tacklers, particularly in space, an area where Wilson struggled. Finding safeties who can cover in the passing game, tackle in space, communicate in the back end of the field and near the line of scrimmage are important factors. Of course, selecting a nickel corner in the NFL Draft next month is a possibility. With Hooker, Thompson and Locke on the team, it gives the Cowboys options. Thompson, 27, has played in 99 games in a seven-year career. He has nine interceptions with 37 pass breakups. Hooker had just one pass breakup last year.Locke, 29, finally healthy after dealing with back issues for several years, solved by surgery in 2024, has played in 90 career games. He’s compiled 174 tackles and five forced fumbles. The players do different things well, including tackling and communicating with teammates. Because they’ve played for Parker and Smith, they can help translate the new defensive scheme to other players like Hooker.“It’s super important because in the game of football nowadays, you got to be able to play in space,” Locke said. “Safeties have to be able to cover and tackle in the open field, depending on the scheme. You got to be able to blitz and the run. So all those things are important in the game of football nowadays and how much it’s just evolved.”NFC East free agency tracker: See what the Cowboys' rivals have been up to so far The Commanders and Giants were busy on day one, while the Eagles are yet to add anyone in free agency.The Cowboys have been active this offseason, but have yet to add a linebacker despite that group’s struggles last year.This is my 15th year covering the Dallas Cowboys. I've covered four head coaches and started covering the beat in Bill Parcells' last season when Tony Romo took over in 2006. And now I'm in the midst of the Dak Prescott/Micah Parsons era.Dallas County wants to borrow $350M for slew of projects, including land for new jail
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