In 2025, the Dallas Cowboys faced significant defensive challenges under first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer.
The team’s defense ranked 30th in total yards allowed (377.0), 23rd in rushing yards allowed (125.5), and last in both passing yards allowed (251.5) and points allowed (30.1). Additionally, they were 24th in total sacks, recording only 35 throughout the season.
A key factor contributing to these defensive struggles was Dallas' decision to trade All-Pro EDGE Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers before the season began. Parsons has consistently recorded 12 or more sacks in each of his professional seasons, finishing the year with 12.5 sacks in just 14 games.
Due to these issues, CBS Sports' Pete Prisco predicts that Dallas will select Oklahoma Sooners EDGE R Mason Thomas with the 12th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Thomas concluded his Oklahoma career with impressive statistics, totaling 17 sacks and 25.5 tackles for loss.
Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
"The Cowboys have to get some twitchy help on the edge," Prisco wrote. "Thomas can do that. He isn't big at 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds, but he would fit the new defense. This would seem high for him, but watch his tape."
Thomas’ fit in Dallas would be centered around restoring explosiveness to a pass rush that clearly lacked it last season. While he may not have the prototypical size, his quick first step and ability to bend around the edge make him the type of disruptive presence the Cowboys have been missing. In a defense looking for speed and aggression, his skill set aligns with what the unit needs to regain its identity.
Replacing the production of Parsons is no small task, but Thomas wouldn’t be expected to do it alone. Instead, his role would be to reintroduce consistent pressure, forcing quarterbacks into quicker decisions and helping stabilize a secondary that struggled under heavy workloads. That ripple effect could elevate the entire defense rather than relying on one dominant player.
Looking ahead, this kind of addition signals a shift toward rebuilding the defense with younger, scheme-specific talent. If Thomas develops as expected, he could become a foundational piece in that transition, helping Dallas move closer to a more balanced and competitive roster.
