The Dallas Cowboys have very little time to lick their wounds from their failed attempt to acquire edge rusher Maxx Crosby in a trade. The team ponied up at least the No. 12 pick and a 2027 second rounder, potentially even more, but were denied thanks to the Ravens sending the Raiders two first-round selections. Now Dallas has to move on to their contingency plans for adding pass-rush pressure to what was an anemic sack game in 2025.
With Christian Parker replacing Matt Eberflus as defensive coordinator, Dallas will be switching to a 3-4 defense for the fall, meaning that the prototypical edge rusher will have a handful of snaps each game where they are asked to drop back into coverage. 3-4 linebackers are typically a little lighter and quicker than 4-3 defensive ends, but there are plenty who can do both.
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So which free agents should the Cowboys’ be looking at?
Here, we’ve taken the Top 100 rankings from five different outlets (Pro Football Focus, NFL.com, FOX Sports, USA Today and CBS Sports) as of March 6, as well as the projected average annual value (AAV) from Spotrac and PFF, to augment which players best fit the expected Parker defense.
Related: Eagles, NFL free agents who may follow DC Christian Parker to Cowboys
11. Malcolm Koonce
Sep 15, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) sacks Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) during the first quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Age: 28
2025 PFF Grade: 58.0
Expected AAV: $8 million
10. Bradley Chubb
Miami Dolphins linebacker Bradley Chubb (2) sacks New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) during the first half of an NFL game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Dec. 17, 2023.
Age: 30
2025 PFF Grade: 54.5
Expected AAV: $18.5 million
9. Kwity Paye
Indianapolis Colts defensive end Kwity Paye (51) sacks Tennessee Titans quarterback Mason Rudolph (11) on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Age: 27
2025 PFF Grade: 59.0
Expected AAV: $14 million
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8. K’Lavon Chaisson
Nov 2, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson (44) sacks Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
Age: 27
2025 PFF Grade: 59.0
Expected AAV: $12 million
7. Arnold Ebiketie
Dec 22, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons linebacker Arnold Ebiketie (17) celebrates after a sack against the New York Giants in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Age: 27
2025 PFF Grade: 74.9
Expected AAV: $8.5 million
6. Khalil Mack
Nov 9, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack (52) sacks Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) for a safety during the first quarter of the game at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Age: 35
2025 PFF Grade: 79.2
Expected AAV: $16.2 million
5. Joey Bosa
Nov 2, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass under pressure from Buffalo Bills defensive end Joey Bosa (97) in the fourth quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
Age: 31
2025 PFF Grade: 74.6
Expected AAV: $12.4 million
4. Boye Mafe
Oct 12, 2025; Jacksonville, Florida, USA;Seattle Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) runs off the field during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Travis Register-Imagn Images
Age: 27
2025 PFF Grade: 70.3
Expected AAV: $14.25 million
3. Odafe Oweh
Dec 14, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is sacked by Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Odafe Oweh (98) during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Age: 27
2025 PFF Grade: 75.5
Expected AAV: $19.3 million
2. Jaelan Phillips
Dec 14, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jaelan Phillips (50) walks off the field after win against the Las Vegas Raiders at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Age: 27
2025 PFF Grade: 74.2
Expected AAV: $16.2 million
1. Trey Hendrickson
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) walks on the field for the first quarter of the NFL Preseason Week 3 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Indianapolis Colts at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. The Colts led 24-7 at halftime.
Age: 31
2025 PFF Grade: 82.9
Expected AAV: $23.25 million
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: 11 free agent edge-rush targets for Cowboys after missing on Crosby
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