The Dallas Cowboys had a successful go through the NFL draft, bringing in six new players plus new linebacker Dee Winters as the team focused pretty intently on rebuilding a defense that was rated the worst in the league in 2025, and gave up a franchise record 511 points. But after the draft, the Cowboys continued to add players, taking advantage of the undrafted free-agent system, one in which the team has frequently found useful players.
“It’s a big, big part of what we do,” Cowboys VP of personnel Will McClay said, via The Athletic. “There are players that weren’t drafted that we like. It doesn’t matter where you come from. We talk about that all the time. You get the opportunity. There have been free agents and guys that we’ve found that have played big roles for us.”
Starting right tackle Terrence Steele was an undrafted free agent, as were fullback Hunter Luepke, running back Malik Davis and key backup lineman TJ Bass. This time around, the Cowboys have pretty clearly tried to target one position where they feel someone might stick: Defensive linemen, the spot played by three of the 11 undrafted players the Cowboys signed.
Cowboys Add 3 Defensive Linemen as UDFAs
The UDFA defensive lineman group is led by Kansas’ Tommy Dunn Jr., a fifth-year senior for the Jayhawks who was listed at 305 pounds by the school entering the draft process. The Cowboys also signed his teammate, DJ Withers, another fifth-year 300-pounder according to the school’s bio. Like Dunn, Withers is a rarity in that he spent his entire collegiate career in Lawrence.
The Cowboys will give them a look beginning this weekend as the team hosts its first rookie camp for all the incoming players. No doubt, depth on the defensive line is something the team will be looking at, with stars Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams anchoring the position, but in need of effective backups and players who can rotate in.
TJ Dunn, DJ Withers Close Friends and Fellow UDFAs
Dunn probably has the better chance of earning a spot on the Cowboys roster–he was generally rated higher on boards ahead of the draft. Dane Brugler of The Athletic had him ranked as the No. 49 defensive tackle coming in, while Withers–the two are close friends–was No. 74. The Cowboys also added Kelvin Gilliam from Virginia Tech, who was No. 86 among interior defensive linemen.
The Cowboys, of course, are changing the approach to the defense as a whole with new coordinator Christian Parker, and traded away star defensive lineman Osa Odighizuwa in the offseason. In Parker’s defense, there is more emphasis on interior beef and again, that could open a path for Dunn to earn a spot.
Cowboys Need Depth on Defensive Front
As things stand for the defensive front, the Cowboys have some depth options. The team signed Otito Ogbonnia and 32-year-old veteran journeyman Jonathan Bullard this offseason, while fourth-round pick LT Overton is also on board.
But behind them, there will be room for 2025 seventh-round pick Jay Toia and perhaps one of the UDFAs, either on the roster or on the practice squad.
Cowboys Sign 300-Pound Teammates Before Rookie Camp