Inside The Star
There is only one game left in the 2025 season for the Dallas Cowboys, and they are only playing for draft position and pride.
Their 34-26 loss to the Minnesota Vikings all but left them for dead, but the Cowboys finished themselves off by losing the following week at home to the Los Angeles Chargers.
No use crying over spilt milk. The Cowboys won’t be in the 2025 NFL Playoffs, and it’s time to set our sights to the 2026 season.
One aspect of looking ahead is determining which players on expiring contracts the Cowboys should try to re-sign before they even hit free agency.
Several players fall into this criteria, but here are my top three, starting with a player who has shown the grit, hustle, and toughness we have wanted out of the defense for years.
Jadeveon Clowney arrived to the Dallas Cowboys after the regular season had already begun, and did not play until Week 4 vs the Green Bay Packers.
He has been everything the Cowboys could have asked for, and more.
Nobody could have been expected to replace the production that All-Pro and perennial NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate Micah Parsons, but Clowney did his best.
With one game left to play, Clowney is tied for the team lead with 5.5 sacks, and with four less games played than the other player in the tie (James Houston).
Clowney has shown the traits that Cowboys’ brass has been wanting in their defense for years.
He is a true football player, who has plenty left in the tank.
You’re probably thinking George Pickens’ big name should have been the headline, but that’s the beauty of writing.
I get to throw readers little curveballs here and there.
All jokes aside, George Pickens should probably be priority number one over any and all other team needs.
The way he has helped elevate the offense by being a true WR1 threat opposite CeeDee Lamb is not something the cowboys should mess with.
Pickens not only leads the Cowboys in receiving yards, but is among the NFL leaders with 1,492 yards on 92 receptions.
Add nine touchdowns and countless big plays down the field, and Pickens is a no-brainer to re-sign.
I know they say running backs are a dime a dozen nowadays, and teams can make a back look better with scheme and execution, but I’d like to ask one question.
What’s wrong with securing a running back you know has already had success in your offense, and still helping them with a good scheme and rush attack?
Yes, I’m talking about Javonte Williams.
Williams has had a career season for the Cowboys, and has started all 16 games lined up behind Dak Prescott.
He has rushed for a career-high 1,205 yards at 4.8 yards per carry, and still has one game left versus a poor New York Giants rush defense.
If the Cowboys can bring...
