The Dallas Cowboys’ secondary wasn’t just inconsistent in the 2025 NFL season; it became a liability when it mattered most. With another playoff push on the horizon, the Cowboys may need a veteran presence who can steady the back end without draining their cap space. That’s why an eight-time Pro Bowler is now being floated as a low-cost fix to quietly address one of their biggest defensive concerns.
Cowboys Linked With Veteran All-Pro to Stabilize Secondary Ahead of Playoff Push
A recent Bleacher Report projection has identified star NFL cornerback Jalen Ramsey as a strong trade target for Dallas as the team looks to reinforce its secondary ahead of next season.
In his first season with the Pittsburgh Steelers after departing the Miami Dolphins, Ramsey remained one of the most heavily utilized pieces in the secondary. The star cornerback finished the 2025 regular season with 88 total tackles, 53 solo tackles, 3 sacks, 1 interception, and 8 passes defended across 17 games.
His role evolved as the season progressed as well. Due to injuries within Pittsburgh’s safety unit, head coach Mike Tomlin deployed Ramsey at safety for stretches of the campaign while leaning on his versatility to stabilize the back end of the defense rather than keeping him strictly at outside corner.
Financially, Ramsey did not arrive in Pittsburgh on a brand-new contract after leaving the Dolphins. Instead, the Steelers absorbed his previously signed extension, which runs through the 2028 season and carries an average annual value of roughly $21 million, making him one of the highest-paid defensive backs in the league at the time of the move.
31-year-old Ramsey’s best season arguably came in 2020 with the Rams, where he was a shutdown corner. Offenses were looking to avoid him, and he recorded 44 total tackles, 9 passes defended, 0 forced fumbles, 1 interception, 0 sacks, and 10 tackles for loss. That earned him First-Team All-Pro honors for his lockdown coverage that year.
With that level of impact at his peak, a proven veteran like Ramsey could be an ideal fit for the Cowboys as they look to add experience and playmaking ability to a secondary that lacked consistency last season.
According to their latest depth chart, the Cowboys’ current cornerback group includes DaRon Bland, Caelen Carson, Corey Ballentine, C.J. Goodwin, and Reddy Steward heading into next season. Beyond Bland, the unit lacks proven experience and stability after last year’s defensive struggles.
Additionally, the Cowboys’ defense struggled badly in the 2025 NFL season, finishing 32nd in points allowed and last in pass defense. They surrendered about 30 points per game and ranked near the bottom in total yards allowed. Run defense was slightly better but still weak, finishing around 23rd, making defense a major liability all season.
So adding a veteran like Ramsey would give defensive coordinator Christian Parker a strong and experienced piece in the secondary.
