FRISCO – Modern additions to the Dallas Cowboys defensive roster, safeties Jalen Thompson, P.J. Locke, and cornerback Cobie Durant, may not know each other yet, but their recent signings signal a clear shift in strategy for the team. The Cowboys are prioritizing versatility in their secondary under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker.
Thompson, who signed a three-year, $33 million contract – the largest deal given to a Cowboy in over a decade – is a defensive back capable of playing both safety positions and lining up in the slot. Locke, who signed a one-year, $4 million deal after arriving from the Denver Broncos, offers the same flexibility. Durant, a cornerback, can play both outside and in the slot.
“Having guys who can do the same things and move around the field confuses the offense,” Thompson said. “It makes things a lot easier for everyone on defense. So I’m excited for what ‘CP’ is going to bring this year.”
This isn’t about eliminating fixed positions entirely, but rather about responding to the increasingly complex ways offenses align. Consider how the Cowboys sometimes deploy CeeDee Lamb as a runner. the more the defense can adjust to these movements without wholesale substitutions, the better. A historically underrated aspect of Darren Woodson’s Hall of Fame candidacy was his ability to play both safety positions *and* cover slot receivers – a skill he demonstrated 30 years ago.
“In today’s football, you’ve got to be able to make plays in space,” Locke explained. “A safety has to be able to cover, has to be able to tackle in the open field, and, depending on the defensive scheme, has to be able to fill gaps against the run. All those things are important.”
Durant played both outside and in the slot at various points during his four years with the Los Angeles Rams.
The Cowboys struggled at the nickel cornerback position after Jourdan Lewis departed in free agency in 2025 for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Their initial hope was that DaRon Bland would slide inside in passing situations, but he was hampered by a left foot injury that ultimately required a second surgery.
Reddy Steward was acquired during final cuts, claimed off waivers from the Minnesota Vikings, primarily due to his familiarity with the scheme of former coordinator Matt Eberflus, and assumed the starting role.
During the NFL Scouting Combine, owner and general manager Jerry Jones lamented Lewis’s departure and admitted they had underestimated the importance of the nickel cornerback position.
Now, they have three candidates capable of playing that position, whether against formations with three or more receivers, or even against two-tight end sets.
“I don’t have a preference,” Durant said. “At the end of the day, football is football. I’ve been playing inside and outside for four years now. Wherever they put me, I’ll be there and contribute to the team.”
Thompson and Locke echoed similar sentiments about playing wherever needed. They too have the advantage of familiarity with the coaching staff. Thompson played under secondary coach Ryan Smith for three years with the Arizona Cardinals. Locke spent three years with Parker – who was then the defensive backs coach – in Denver.
“He was really happy for me,” Thompson said of Smith’s reaction to his signing. “The conversation was basically, ‘It’s time to get to work.’ The last three years were tough for us, so we’re ready to step it up and get to the Super Bowl.”
Locke commented on Parker: “He takes away the gray areas. I hate gray areas. Gray areas just cause miscommunication; it’s like you’re playing slower, not being able to process information clearly.”
Though Durant didn’t have a prior relationship with the coaches, he studied the Cowboys’ new coaching staff, which also includes Derrick Ansley as the passing game coordinator. He said his conversations with head coach Brian Schottenheimer reminded him of Rams coach Sean McVay.
“Honestly, it wasn’t even a difficult decision,” Durant said. “I just wanted to be in a place where I could contribute as much as possible and help the team win.”
Parker will have the opportunity to implement his defensive system after an offseason working with defensive tackles Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark, as well as new pass rusher Rashan Gary and any additions the Cowboys make in the draft. He faces the task of elevating a defense that allowed 511 points – the highest total in franchise history – and ranked 30th in yards allowed per game last season.
“I just feel like we have all the pieces,” Thompson said. “We’ve seen what CP is capable of as a defensive coordinator. We’ve seen the type of plays he can call, and he puts players in the right places; players who have had great results, who have been All-Pros and reached that next level.
“I think he brings that versatility to the defense.”
The Cowboys will continue preparations for the 2026 NFL Draft, scheduled to begin April 23rd in Detroit, Michigan. The draft represents a key opportunity to further bolster the roster and address remaining needs as they aim to contend in the NFC.
