Every NFL fan knows the Dallas Cowboys' offseason is never truly a quiet one, but to be honest, this has been surprisingly silent, even with Brandon Aubrey and Javonte Williams being signed, and George Pickens signing the franchise tag.
This isn't to say that there aren't still doubters, because there will always be those roaming around, including ESPN's Seth Walder, who graded the offseason for every NFL team. Walder listed Pickens' franchise tag as the "move he liked" and trading defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa as a "move he disliked."
A head scratcher to say the least, considering there were plenty of concerns about Pickens' attendance this offseason. But luckily, that question has been to put to bed since. But what Walder critiqued most goes back to a missed opportunity nearly a year ago.
"The ripple effects of Dallas' decision to trade Micah Parsons ahead of the 2025 season were still being felt this offseason. That was most apparent when the Cowboys were among the teams vying for Maxx Crosby. They didn't get the Pro Bowl edge rusher, who landed back in Las Vegas."
Grade: C+
Cowboys get a C+ grade this offseason despite a killer draft and quieting the offseason noise
Someone should ask Walder which team Caleb Downs is on. The Cowboys had a heck of a first round of the NFL Draft. That alone is way more than a C+.
For those asking, did he only write about offseason moves and not the draft? No, because for the Raiders, he listed drafting Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza as the move he liked most. Downs is arguably the best player in the draft, and the Cowboys drafting him was not only much needed, but if he lives up to the hype, the sky is the limit for him to be a multiple Pro Bowl player.
Walder said that with Kenny Clark being older than Odighizuwa, the wrong DT was traded. But the fact is, the DT room was getting crowded, and the Cowboys now have a true nose tackle in Otito Ogbonnia and keep their veteran DTs in Clark and Quinnen Williams.
The Maxx Crosby situation did hurt, but it hurt every team. He was about to get traded to the Baltimore Ravens, but he failed his physical, causing the blockbuster trade to collapse. Things may still be awkward in Las Vegas, making the Cowboys still potential suitors to go after the All-Pro pass rusher, but the Cowboys have had so many chances to pounce on him. At this point, it's probably a lost cause.
Oh, and don't forget the signings of Rashan Gary, Cobie Durant, Dee Winters and Jalen Thompson. Rookie pass rusher Malachi Lawrence could be a dark horse to get seven sacks this season.
I'm not sure how adding all these pieces on defense constitutes a 'C+.' But then again, sometimes, the Cowboys can never win.
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