Free agency additions at key position set Cowboys up perfectly for 2025 draft
Teams never want to enter the NFL draft with too many needs on their to-do list. The more needs staring them in the face, the less likely said team can draft best player available. This can lead to regrettable draft day decisions, a cardinal sin that could get the GM fired in most organizations.
The Dallas Cowboys have been down that road, well not the GM-at-risk part, and it hasn’t always worked out so well for them. Even without the threat of unemployment looming for Jerry Jones, the Cowboys have worked aggressively to avoid a repeat of that situation in 2025. They’ve spread the wealth across various position groups, keeping the needs manageable and their options multiple.
At the beginning of the offseason, the linebacker position appeared to be a position of significant need. Veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks was a free agent, rising star DeMarvion Overshown was facing a long recovery, and the Damone Clarke hadn’t developed like once hoped.
While the LB starting ranks looked like a mess for 2025, the future of the LB position appeared to be set up for success. Marist Liufau looked like he could be something special in his rookie season. He lacked consistency but showed explosiveness and range rare for NFL LB. When Overshown returns the two could be one of the most dynamic LB duos in the NFL, the only problem is the Cowboys have to find a bridge to get to that day.
By most accounts the Cowboys appeared to do just that, signing Chicago LB Jack Sanborn and trading for Tennessee LB Kenneth Murray. The two LBs couldn’t be any more different from each other yet they’re exactly what the Cowboys needed this offseason.
Kenneth Murray is a firecracker off the snap. He has nice speed and doesn't hesitate. He's more of a finesse shedder than a physical one, so he'll get washed out when blockers square up on him, but he has enough athleticism to make plays. Good move by the Cowboys. pic.twitter.com/4rMPyqMd1j
— Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) March 13, 2025
Murray, a former first-round draft pick, is a 6-foot-2, 241-pound athlete. Pro Football Focus graded him out 52nd last season which has become a career trend for the 26-year-old former Sooner. An extremely gifted athlete, Murray is a player who’s still more potential than finished product. The Cowboys are betting on his upside and willing to take a one-year gamble in 2025 to let it play out.
If Jack Sanborn isn’t brought back in free agency, he will be missed.
— Bears Nation (@BearsNationCHI) March 4, 2025
Ultimate Gruden Grinder type of player
pic.twitter.com/euWeQho6T7
Sanborn, a former undrafted free agent, comes in at 6-foot-2 and 234 pounds. He’s half the athlete of Murray but to many he’s twice the player. Sanborn is a LB who’s making the most of what his physical traits allow and provides the comparative floor to Murray’s ceiling. A run-stopping specialist, Sanborn didn’t play full-time snaps in 2024. Grading the snaps he did play and projecting a 50% workload, he would have ranked 30th in PFF’s LB grades last season. Both players offer different skillsets, different risks and different rewards. They round out a LB room that needs help in the short-term without commiting too much to the long term. Sanborn, Murray and even Clark give the Cowboys the kind of personnel to survive the 2025 season while Liufau and Overshown work into their roles.
Bets of all, their presence doesn’t force the Cowboys' hands in the draft.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: 2025 NFL Draft: Dallas Cowboys set selves up perfectly at this spot
Topics
-
Massive hole remains on Cowboys defense, demanding attention in 2025 NFL draft
The Cowboys built their defensive line well in free agency, but they still have one massive hole to fill and need the 2025 NFL draft to do it.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
7-round Eagles mock draft after the first wave of free agency
Eagles reload and add depth at key positions in latest seven-round 2025 NFL mock draftYahoo Sports - 6d -
NFL free agency 2025: Cowboys lose DeMarcus Lawrence, Rico Dowdle; add CB Kaiir Elam, LB Kenneth Murray
The Cowboys are finally making some moves in free agency.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 13 -
Key takeaways from CBS Sports' post-free agency mock draft
Key takeaways from CBS sports post-free agency 2025 NFL mock draftYahoo Sports - Mar. 15 -
Falcons add key piece to secondary in new 2025 NFL mock draft
The Falcons add a new starting safety in PFF's 2025 NFL mock draftYahoo Sports - 6d -
2025 NFL mock draft: Giants trade up to No. 1 while Steelers also take QB; Raiders and Cowboys add playmakers
Examining how the first week of free agency could impact the draftCBS Sports - 6d -
Broncos have filled key needs in NFL free agency
After addressing their key needs during free agency, the Broncos can go best player available in the NFL draft.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14 -
Colts top 5 needs after free agency and before NFL draft
Following free agency, what are now the Indianapolis Colts' biggest positions of need as we turn our focus to the NFL draft?Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Cowboys latest free agent signing shows draft's biggest flaw, faulty scouting
There's an important lesson to be learned by the career of the Parris Campbell, and it should influence the Cowboys' 2025 NFL draft.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 17
More from Yahoo Sports
-
March Madness 2025: Florida Gators draw Maryland Terrapins in Sweet 16 matchup
Following a buzzer-beater win for Maryland, the Florida Gators will face the Terrapins in the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.Yahoo Sports - 18m -
Derik Queen's buzzer-beater over Colorado State got a perfect call from Lisa Byington
Maryland finally landed on the right side of a buzzer-beater after Derik Queen's stunning game-winner in the NCAA tournament.Yahoo Sports - 21m -
March Madness 2025: Did Maryland's Derik Queen travel before his buzzer-beater vs. Colorado State?
Queen's shot propelled the Terrapins into the Sweet 16.Yahoo Sports - 22m -
Hailey Van Lith's photos after TCU's March Madness win vs. Louisville are fantastic
TCU and Hailey Van Lith are Sweet 16 bound after a March Madness win over Louisville in the NCAA tournament. Here's 5 photos of them celebrating.Yahoo Sports - 23m -
UNC beats Boston College Sunday to win first ACC series of 2025 season
The UNC baseball team took two of three games from Boston College, winning its first 2025 ACC baseball series. Aidan Haugh was near-perfect on Sunday.Yahoo Sports - 24m
More in Sports
-
WATCH: Maryland star Derik Queen banks in first buzzer-beater of March Madness 2025 to advance to Sweet 16
Queen wanted the ball in his hands with the game on the line, and he delivered in a legendary wayCBS Sports - 16m -
Ex-Yankees OF Gardner's son, Miller, dies at 14
Miller Gardner, the 14-year-old son of Brett Gardner, has died, the former Yankees outfielder and his wife, Jessica, announced Sunday.ESPN - 16m -
Sources: Texas nearing deal with Xavier's Miller
Less than a week after appearing in the First Four of the NCAA tournament, where it lost to Xavier, Texas on Sunday informed coach Rodney Terry that he has been fired, with athletic director Chris ...ESPN - 16m -
Hurley: UConn's historic run ends with 'honor'
UConn coach Dan Hurley said there was "some honor" in the end to UConn's 13-game tournament win streak, which was halted in a narrow loss to Florida on Sunday.ESPN - 16m -
Sources: Curry joining Dubs in Miami; status TBD
Warriors star Stephen Curry is traveling to join the team in Miami, and his status for Tuesday's game against the Heat will depend on how his pelvic bruise responds to treatment over the next two ...ESPN - 16m