Happy Sunday Cowboys fans, I hope you had a good weekend, the Dallas Cowboys made a move over the weekend that helps them on the defensive line.

If you did not hear, the Cowboys brought back a familiar face in Dante Fowler on a one-year, $6 million contract.

Fowler could earn up to $8 million with play time incentives and accelerators.

The defensive end left the Cowboys in 2023, and joined Dan Quinn and the Washington Commander, but will make his return in 2025.

Confirming via source that Dante Fowler is back with the Cowboys on a one-year deal. Spent last year with Washington and putting up 10.5 sacks. He had 10 sacks in ’22 and ’23 with the Cowboys

Confirming via source that Dante Fowler is back with the Cowboys on a one-year deal. Spent last year with Washington and putting up 10.5 sacks. He had 10 sacks in '22 and '23 with the Cowboys

— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) March 14, 2025

Good Move

Fowler was the third overall pick in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Fowler missed his rookie campaign due to a torn ACL he sustained in a spring practice session.

He spent his first four seasons in the league with the Jaguars primarily as a pass rusher. He finished his four years with 14 total sacks.

In addition to Jacksonville and the Washington Commanders, where he played the last two seasons, Fowler also played for the Atlanta Falcons and the Los Angeles Rams.

Last year, Fowler played in all 17 games for the Commanders, with seven starts, and recorded 10.5 sacks.

Not only is this significant, since Fowler just recorded 10.5 sacks for the Washington Commanders in 2024, but it was also the first time since 2015 that the Cowboys signed an outside free agent for more than $6 million.

Outlook

The Cowboys lost DeMarcus Lawerence and Chauncey Golston to other teams this offseason, and Dallas until now did nothing to replace them. Osa resigned for a good deal, but until they signed Fowler, the defensive line was looking weak.

Fowler saw his pass-rush win rate (10.1%) drop in 2024, but his sack total went up. Playing with Micah Parsons again should help that win-rate go up (14.% in 2023).

So, as of now, it looks like it will be Micah Parsons, Fowler, Marshawn Kneeland, Sam Willams and Payton Turner.

I would look for them to draft someone maybe with the 12th overall.

The Cowboys signed former Bears head coach Matt Eberflus as their defensive coordinator. Eberflus typically runs a classic 4-3 scheme, using high rates of zone coverage on the back end.

Eberflus is not known for his blitz packages. In 2023, Eberflus’ last full season with Chicago, the Bears blitzed on just 29.6% of their passing plays. That rate ranked 25th in the league.

Eberflus’ defense, Fowler Jr. will be asked to rush the passer with little help from stunts and blitzes.

Playing opposite Micah Parsons, Fowler Jr. should consistently be put in one-on-one situations with opposing offensive tackles. If he can keep up his production from 2024, the Dallas Cowboys could have one of the best pass-rushing duos in the NFL.

I think this team still needs help on the offensive side of the ball, they only have Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders as their two running backs outside of Deuce Vaughn.

I hope they draft a running back in either the 2nd or 3rd round. I know they can probably get one later, but I feel like it is a big enough need to go ahead and get one early.

They still need an offensive line and another wide receiver, so I think they will look to draft heavy on offense this April.

They also signed Parris Campbell, but he will just be a body for training camp and then not be on the roster when it matters.

Parris, Texas 🤠

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— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) March 15, 2025

We will see how the next few months go, but I have only liked a few of the moves this team has made, Fowler is the best one thus far, and I wouldn’t expect them to make many more before the draft gets here.