FRISCO, Texas — NFL free agency is underway, and it’s a critical time for the Dallas Cowboys to enhance their team. They’ve already made some key moves by keeping Osa Odighizuwa and signing Solomon Thomas to strengthen their defensive line.
Solomon Thomas, the former third overall pick from San Francisco, is reuniting with Aaron Whitecotton, the new defensive line coach. Thomas spent time with the New York Jets before this and brings valuable experience.
Along with Thomas, the Cowboys have added another first-round pick, defensive end Payton Turner. However, the team still has work to do to ensure their defensive line is robust heading into the 2025 season.
A major concern is the potential departure of DeMarcus Lawrence, a four-time Pro Bowler. Lawrence is one of the league’s best at stopping the run, an area where the Cowboys have struggled. They’ve often made it too easy for opposing teams to run the ball.
With Thomas and Turner, the Cowboys are gaining depth in important positions. Thomas is particularly important as he can significantly impact the field. He’ll allow Odighizuwa to take breaks, which is essential because even elite players can’t play every snap. Last season, Odighizuwa logged a career-high 860 snaps, which is impressive but also demanding.
Before 2024, Odighizuwa’s average was about 623 snaps per season. However, injuries forced other players to fill in, increasing his workload. Keeping Odighizuwa healthy will be crucial, and Thomas’s presence on the field can help manage that load.
Thomas has played 67 games over the last four seasons and has only missed significant time in one of his eight NFL seasons. Under Whitecotton’s coaching at the Jets, he recorded nine sacks and 16 quarterback hits, proving he can still be impactful.
Alongside Odighizuwa, who boasts 13.5 career sacks and 58 quarterback hits, Thomas can rotate in and out. This duo may even be used together in high-pressure situations, like during crucial third downs.
That said, signing Thomas alone won’t fix the Cowboys’ run defense. They also need to focus on developing young players like former first-round pick Mazi Smith and potentially finding more help in the draft or free agency for the nose tackle position. It’s a balancing act to ensure they don’t experience a drop-off when such key players need a break.
Moving into 2025, the Cowboys look to not only maintain but improve their defensive strength. With a revamped lineup, they’re positioned to tackle upcoming challenges head-on. The addition of Thomas and Turner is just the beginning—it’s a step toward building a more formidable defensive front.
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