The Dallas Cowboys have every reason for a high sense of urgency throughout the offseason and heading into the end of the summer. Not only are you sharing a division with the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, you're now dealing with Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders as well. Those are already four games in your 2025 season, which will be an incredible uphill battle.
With this in mind, the Cowboys need to take every possible opportunity to find surprise contributors. It is going to take a resurgence from Dak Prescott and a group of unexpected players stepping up to push Dallas back into contention.
One potential option the Cowboys just added is pass rusher James Houston.
In the 2022 season, the edge rusher was an impact player in Detroit, piling up 8.0 sacks in an impressive debut. Houston is one of only three players in league history to start his career with a four-game sack streak. However, this impressive production didn't last. Only 4.0 sacks the rest of the way as Houston began to decline, and the struggles continued and were joined by injuries, ending the rookie's career with Detroit.
Cowboys Take a Chance on DE James Houston
The @dallascowboys signed DE James Houston on Tuesday and released DE Luiji Vilain as a corresponding roster move. The club also made the following transactions:
— Dallas Cowboys Public Relations (@DallasCowboysPR) July 22, 2025
Placed on Active/PUP:
CB Josh Butler
CB Trevon Diggs
LB DeMarvion Overshown
Placed on Active/NFI:
CB Shavon Revel
Houston was claimed off waivers by the Browns, spending a short time in Cleveland before hitting free agency. The Cowboys taking a chance on the veteran defender is a wise move that helps give them the chance to find a productive edge rusher at a fraction of the typical cost. Houston showed his ability in the 2022 season and left reason to wonder if there is still a chance a productive edge rusher could be found.
Dallas taking that chance is a wise move for a team that already has the benefit of Micah Parsons. With all the attention the star demands, you simply need a capable group around Parsons to elevate the entire line's production.
Signing Houston shouldn't be the last move the team makes at the position, with an extension still expected for Parsons. There are arguments as well to bring in an aging veteran like Matthew Judon to help bolster the rotation. Regardless, it is a savvy move from a front office that has been far too quiet after the splashy addition of George Pickens early in the offseason.