A major offseason priority for the Dallas Cowboys was to make improvements to their atrocious defense from the 2025 campaign. With the No. 12 and No. 20 picks in the first round of the NFL draft, Dallas has multiple early opportunities to correct some of those issues on Thursday night.
Aside from the draft, however, the Cowboys may have another chance to make some upgrades on the defense. ESPN Indianapolis Colts insider Stephen Holder reported on Monday that the Colts might release cornerback Kenny Moore II if they cannot find him a trade partner.
"Regarding the trade requests: general manager Chris Ballard gave the impression Moore would get a courtesy release if the Colts can't find a deal. He did not say that regarding quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr., who he said still has a lot of value to the Colts and is immensely talented. Ballard is open to him coming back," Holder wrote on X.
Moore was not present on the first day of offseason workouts in Indianapolis, but as a 2021 Pro Bowler and someone who could hit free agency if no trade comes between now and the draft, the veteran Moore would be a huge addition for a franchise that is in need of some upgrades in the secondary.
The Cowboys Should Make a Push for Kenny Moore II
Moore is entering the final year of his contract with the Colts, but since they appear to have no intention of signing him to an extension, the door is open for the Cowboys to make a move for him. When you consider he has 21 career interceptions, and seven in his last 45 games, it is clear that Moore has a nose for the football and would provide a huge boost for a Cowboys team that only had six total interceptions last season.
Only the New York Jets had fewer interceptions as a team last season (zero), so Moore's impact would be felt immediately in the Cowboys' secondary. Moore has 649 career tackles, 11.5 QB sacks, four interceptions returned for TDs, 67 passes defended, and is coming off a career-high two forced fumbles last season, making this a move that makes too much sense for the Cowboys to pass up.
Dallas has already made some offseason moves by adding safeties Jalen Thompson and P.J. Locke, in addition to the addition of Cobie Durant and the return of DaRon Bland. The Cowboys have been high on CB Shavon Revel Jr., but he is now under the microscope after the Durant signing and a subpar rookie season.
The veteran in the secondary is Malik Hooker, who is entering his sixth season with the team. Despite the experience, Hooker's performance has declined in recent years, and his entire world could be flipped upside down if the Cowboys choose to bring in some NFL-ready additions in the draft.
Even if the Cowboys address some of those concerns in the coming days, you cannot discredit the experience that Moore has and what contributions he could make in the secondary. This was the worst scoring defense in the league (30.1 PPG), and if it wants to improve its chances of getting back to the postseason, which will always be the goal in Dallas, adding a veteran like Moore seems like a good start.
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