The Dallas Cowboys need a handful of second-year players to step up in 2025. Left tackle Tyler Guyton holds the health and well-being of Dak Prescott in the palm of his hands this year. Marist Liufau is the most exciting young linebacker on the roster who will be ready to start by Week 1. Caelen Carson is a needed solution to an early problem the Cowboys have at cornerback.
Perhaps no player is needed more from a salary cap disbursement perspective than defensive end Marshawn Kneeland.
For the sake of a balanced roster, the Cowboys need to spread their resources as evenly as possible across the various position groups. Employing too many high-priced players at a single group will come at the cost of other position groups, so it is imperative young players step up into big roles. Kneeland is one of those young keys.
The Cowboys are in the process of investing big into their defensive line. Not only did they just ink Osa Odighizuwa to a massive four-year, $80 million contract this offseason but they’re on the cusp of possibly making Micah Parsons the highest paid defensive player in the history of the NFL.
The Cowboys can’t afford to break the bank on another high-priced veteran contract and really need young players on rookie contracts to take over the remaining two starting positions on the defensive line.
Dante Fowler is currently filling the void at one of the DE spots, playing on a one-year, $6 million deal in 2025. It’s a digestible sum this year because Parsons’ incoming deal has yet to hit the books, though his current cap hit is high due to his $24 million fifth-year option. The two are taking up 75% of the $40 million Dallas currently has on the books at the edge position this offseason, seventh-most in the NFL.
Parsons’ upcoming signing bonus is likely to be so large, his cap hit might stay the same or even go up, even in the first year. Dallas won’t likely be able to afford a hired gun like Fowler again.
Kneeland, 2024’s second rounder, was drafted to be the heir to DeMarcus Lawrence. The 6-foot-3, 267-pound base end fits a similar profile to that of Lawrence’s and based on many 2024 scouting reports, a smooth transition in the NFL was expected. But injuries prevented last season from being anything but smooth and the Western Michigan product had a poor showing as a result. Pro Football Focus bestowed on him a 50.8 grade, ranking him 113 out of 119 in 2024.
If Kneeland takes a significant step in 2025 like many predict, the Cowboys will be well positioned to field a defensive line rotation comprised mostly of rookie contracts in 2026. If he doesn’t, it puts Dallas in a tough spot heading into next season because the newest second-round pick, Donovan Ezeiruaku, doesn’t exactly fit the mold of a base end in the NFL.
The Cowboys can’t afford to fill out their defensive line with veteran salaries and need Kneeland to show up, starting potential as early as this season. It sets the stage for a healthy roster down the road and keeps the money well dispersed throughout.
