The Dallas Cowboys' main priority this offseason will be adding more impactful players to the defensive side of the ball. They were one of the most unbalanced teams in the league during the 2025 campaign, and that can't be the case going forward.
Linebacker is at the top of the list for needs in Dallas, and thankfully for them, they will have multiple options made available. Of the several low-cost options up for grabs, Eric Wilson may be the best on the market.
Eric Wilson May Be Perfect Cheap Target for Cowboys This Offseason
Wilson joined the Vikings last offseason on a one-year, $1.2 million deal. Despite being a cheap veteran addition, he stepped up and gave them a true difference maker at the second level of the field, putting up career-best numbers in multiple categories.
He finished with 115 total tackles with career-highs in TFLs (17), QB hits (10), sacks (6.5), and forced fumbles (4). Meanwhile, he suited up in all 17 games for the Vikings, showcasing his ability to suit up when gameday arrives.
On Pro Football Focus, he tallied a 62.1 overall grade (41st among 88 graded linebackers), 72.9 run-defense grade (29th among 88 graded linebackers), and a 70.2 pass-rush grade (25th among 88 graded linebackers).
Wilson did leave a lot to be desired in terms of pass defense, logging a 36.7 coverage grade (76th among 88 graded linebackers). In addition, he gave up 38 catches (51 targets) for 354 yards and a touchdown.
Nonetheless, the Cowboys could feed into his strengths and add another linebacker this offseason who is more of a coverage guy. Wilson wouldn't be an expensive addition either, as Spotrac projects him to sign a one-year, $4.3 million deal.
For a Dallas team that had terrible linebacker play from Kenneth Murray Jr., Logan Wilson, and Jack Sanborn in 2025, Wilson is the perfect veteran to bring in. Murray Jr. and Sanborn are free agents, as Dallas added Wilson to that list when they waived him on Feb. 20.
DeMarvion Overshown and Shemar James are the two guys in the room currently who fans would expect to start at linebacker, but they need more in that room. The Cowboys aren't known for being big spenders in free agency, which is another reason why Wilson makes sense.
Jerry Jones and company love bargain shopping. Wilson fits into that criteria perfectly and would raise the floor at linebacker for the Cowboys. With free agency just a few weeks away, Dallas should keep tabs on Wilson and look at ways to bring him on for the 2026 season.