NFL Offseason 2025: Key Dates for Dallas Cowboys Fans – Draft and Free Agency

The NFL offseason is a highly anticipated period for fans of every team, and for Dallas Cowboys supporters, 2025 promises to be full of exciting potential. Whether it’s the annual NFL Draft or the high-stakes world of free agency, the Cowboys have a lot at stake in this offseason. This article breaks down the important dates and events in the offseason and explores how these will impact the Cowboys.

1. NFL Free Agency (March 2025)

The first major event in the NFL offseason for the Cowboys is free agency. This is a period where teams can sign unrestricted free agents and trade players to bolster their rosters. The Dallas Cowboys will need to be strategic during free agency, as they have several key players whose contracts are set to expire.

Key Dates for Free Agency:

February 2025 – Teams will begin to designate franchise and transition players. For the Cowboys, this could be an opportunity to keep star players who may be on the brink of free agency, either by franchise tagging them or negotiating a new deal.
March 10, 2025 – The official start of the NFL’s “legal tampering” period. Teams can begin to negotiate with free agents, but no contracts can be signed yet. During this period, Cowboys fans will be paying close attention to rumors and news about their team’s potential moves in free agency.
March 12, 2025 – Free agency officially begins. This is when players can officially sign contracts with new teams, and the Cowboys will likely be in the thick of the action. Whether they are bringing in new faces to fill gaps or retaining their own free agents, this is a crucial time.

Cowboys’ Free Agency Focus:

The Cowboys have specific positions that will be important for them to address, depending on how their roster shapes up during the offseason. Some key areas of focus for the Cowboys in free agency may include:

Wide Receiver: The Cowboys will likely be looking to add more firepower to their receiving corps. With CeeDee Lamb emerging as a top-tier talent, the team may want to surround him with a veteran or up-and-coming receiver to complement him.
Defensive Line: Dallas has one of the most formidable defensive lines in the league, but they could look to add depth, especially in the pass rush. This would help the team build on their already strong defense and continue to apply pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Cornerback/Safety: The secondary has been a mixed bag for Dallas in recent seasons. If the Cowboys decide not to address this through the draft, free agency could provide the perfect opportunity to pick up a veteran defensive back who could add stability to the back end of their defense.
Offensive Line: With some aging veterans on the offensive line and potential departures due to free agency, the Cowboys may seek to bolster this unit. They have one of the best offensive lines in football, but maintaining depth and talent is crucial, especially with franchise quarterback Dak Prescott under center.

2. NFL Draft 2025 (April 2025)

The NFL Draft is the most significant event of the offseason for many teams, and the Cowboys are no exception. The draft allows them to add young, dynamic players to their roster and continue to build for the future. While free agency can provide immediate help, the draft allows the Cowboys to secure long-term talent.

Key Dates for the NFL Draft:

April 17-19, 2025 – The NFL will hold its official scouting combine in Indianapolis. This is an important event where teams can evaluate draft prospects through drills, interviews, and other assessments. For the Cowboys’ front office, this will be the first chance to get up close and personal with some of the top prospects.
April 26, 2025 – The first round of the NFL Draft begins. Cowboys fans will be eager to see if Jerry Jones and his front office make a splash in the first round. With the 2025 draft class expected to be stacked with talent, Dallas may look to make a move if the right player is available, especially in a deep draft class.
April 27-28, 2025 – Rounds 2-7 of the NFL Draft take place over these days. While the first round tends to grab all the attention, Dallas will need to make sure they stay focused and continue to draft wisely to fill out the roster with future stars.

Cowboys’ Draft Strategy:

The Cowboys’ draft strategy in 2025 will depend on a few key factors, such as their free-agent signings and any trades that might occur. However, Dallas will likely look to build on their strengths while addressing weaknesses.

Best Available Player: The Cowboys typically follow the “best available player” approach, particularly in the early rounds. If a top-tier prospect at a position of need falls to them, they are likely to pounce. For example, if a standout defensive tackle or wide receiver slips to their draft position, it would be a no-brainer for the Cowboys to snatch him up.
Defensive Reinforcements: Dallas’ defense has been a strong point in recent years, and they may look to add another playmaker on that side of the ball. Whether it’s a linebacker to complement Micah Parsons or a defensive back to add depth, this could be a priority.
Offensive Skill Players: With Dak Prescott under center and CeeDee Lamb as a cornerstone receiver, the Cowboys may look to add another weapon to their offense, especially in the running back or wide receiver positions. While Dallas has shown faith in their current roster, an influx of young talent could push them toward a Super Bowl.
Offensive Line Depth: If they don’t address offensive line concerns in free agency, the Cowboys may use the draft to secure a player for the future. They have a reputation for developing offensive linemen, and the draft offers a chance to add to that strong unit.
Quarterback Depth: Although Dak Prescott is the clear starter, the Cowboys might consider adding a quarterback in later rounds as a developmental project or backup, especially if they want to prepare for the future in case Prescott’s production starts to decline.

3. Other Key Dates and Considerations

In addition to the key dates for free agency and the draft, Cowboys fans should also keep an eye on other important events that could impact the team.

NFL Scouting Combine (February 2025)

While not directly tied to team decisions, the NFL Scouting Combine is one of the most significant events of the offseason. This is where teams get to see the physical traits of incoming prospects up close, as well as evaluate their mental and emotional makeup. Dallas’ front office will be scouting prospects for both free agency and the draft during this period.

Pro Days (March-April 2025)

After the Scouting Combine, many players participate in individual Pro Days at their respective universities. These events allow teams to gather additional data on draft prospects. The Cowboys’ scouts will likely be attending several Pro Days to get a better sense of which players they may target in the draft.

NFL Schedule Release (May 2025)

Although this date isn’t as critical to roster construction, the release of the NFL schedule can set the tone for the Cowboys’ upcoming season. Fans will want to see how the Cowboys’ regular-season schedule shapes up and begin making their plans for the year.

Training Camp (July 2025)

Training camp marks the official beginning of the next season. During this time, the Cowboys will have a chance to evaluate their new roster additions, including any players they signed during free agency and those drafted. It’s also a time for rookies to prove themselves and for veterans to solidify their spots on the roster.