FRISCO, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys' preference is always to keep their own free agents. They know them better than players set to hit the open market and believe they are safer bets.
Last year, the Cowboys re-signed defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa to a four-year, $80 million deal before free agency began. This year, they signed their leading rusher, Javonte Williams, to a three-year deal worth $24 million. They also placed the franchise tag on Pro Bowl wide receiver George Pickens at a cost of $27.3 million, although they could sign him to an extension.
As free agency beckons, who could be next in line for the Cowboys to keep?
Perhaps none of their impending 13 unrestricted free agents. Of the four restricted free agents, only Pro Bowl kicker Brandon Aubrey and guard T.J. Bass could be back. Even the two exclusive rights free agents are not locks to be tendered.
Let's take a case-by-case look at each of them:
Unrestricted free agents
OT Hakeem Adeniji: He started one of the 12 games in which he was active. Perhaps he is back on a veteran salary benefit contract, but the Cowboys have Nate Thomas and potentially Ajani Cornelius, a sixth-round pick last year, to serve as the swing tackles.
CB Corey Ballentine: He spent most of his time on the practice squad and can play in the nickel as well as safety. If he is back, it'll be on a minimum deal, but that seems doubtful.
LB Jack Sanborn: Brought in because of his background with former defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, his season was cut short by a hamstring injury. When he did play, he was only OK. The Cowboys will look to upgrade at linebacker.
RB Miles Sanders: His season ended early because of a knee injury. He will not be back with the Cowboys, who are pleased with Malik Davis, Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah backing up Williams.
DE Jadeveon Clowney: He led the Cowboys in sacks last season and in January seemed like a prime candidate they would like to retain. But the move to a new scheme with DC Christian Parker seems like the Cowboys will look to other edge players first without completely shutting the door on Clowney's return.
WR Jalen Tolbert: After scoring seven touchdowns in 2024, Tolbert saw his opportunities diminish with the development of Ryan Flournoy. He would be better served with a fresh start elsewhere.
DE Dante Fowler Jr.: After putting up 10.5 sacks with Washington in 2024, the Cowboys hoped he would flourish for them as a pass rusher. It didn't happen. He had three sacks and 15 tackles to go along with 40 pressures. The door seems closed on his return.
DE Payton Turner: He suffered a rib injury in the preseason and was stashed on injured reserve and did not play a game. Maybe the Cowboys take another low-cost gamble on him in 2026, but he could be better served finding a better fit.
CB C.J. Goodwin: A core special teamer since 2018, is this the year the Cowboys move on from the veteran? He is revered in the locker room, and among special teamers, and had 18 tackles last year, second most on the team, but it might be time to get younger. If he is back, it will be on a veteran salary benefit contract.
LB Kenneth Murray Jr.: He led the Cowboys in tackles, but there does not seem to be an interest in bringing him back. A weakside linebacker for most of his career, the move to middle linebacker did not go well. The Cowboys will look to upgrade the entire linebacker room.
S Donovan Wilson: The second-longest-tenured player on the roster who was drafted by the Cowboys (Dak Prescott is first), he played under former coach Jason Garrett. He was slowed by a couple of injuries last season and was not as effective in the Eberflus scheme as he was previously. He is unlikely to be back.
G Rob Jones: He suffered a neck injury in training camp and was placed on injured reserve. He will not be back.
DE Sam Williams: The Cowboys tried to sign him to an extension last summer, but he passed. He had one sack, six tackles for loss and 25 pressures. More than likely he will look for a chance elsewhere, but there is a price at which the Cowboys would bring him back.
Restricted free agents
K Brandon Aubrey: Contract extension talks stalled last summer and never really picked up. Both sides agree he should be the highest-paid kicker, but they are far apart on the value. Without an extension, the Cowboys will put the second-round tender on him ($5.7 million).
OL Brock Hoffman: He has been a valuable backup/part-time starter the past two seasons at center and guard. But the right of first refusal tag ($3.5 million) and second-round tender might be a little high. The Cowboys could seek to keep him on a lower offer or let him test the market.
OL T.J. Bass: He has shown he could be a starter in the NFL the past two seasons. He has some position flexibility but hasn't played center in a game. The Cowboys are looking at putting the second-round tender on him, but he was a player who drew interest across the league at the trade deadline last season. Perhaps a deal could be worked out.
S Juanyeh Thomas: A health issue ended his season early. He has been a core special teamer the past few years, but he seems to be in the same boat as Hoffman, where the tender offers would be more than Dallas would want to pay. Maybe he's back on a lower number.
Exclusive rights free agents
CB Josh Butler: He missed all but one game last year recovering from a torn ACL. He could be back as the Cowboys look to build depth at the corner spot, but a final spot on the roster is not a lock.
CB Reddy Steward: He was claimed off waivers before the season started and became the team's nickel corner. They tendered him a deal Wednesday, but he will have to fight to make the 53-man roster.