FRISCO, Texas — Dallas has not settled one of its two starting safety spots. Malik Hooker and P.J. Locke both appear there on the Dallas Cowboys’ unofficial depth chart released Tuesday, separated by an “or.” Jalen Thompson holds the other spot outright.
It is the second “or” on the chart. The other sits at cornerback, between Cobie Durant and Shavon Revel Jr.
Hooker has been in Dallas since 2021. He reworked his contract in March, a one-year deal worth $5 million. Locke arrived March 10 after six seasons in Denver, where he played 90 games and started 16 of them last season. He came into the league undrafted out of Texas in 2019 and has 174 career tackles, 4 sacks, and 2 interceptions.
Locke is reunited with Christian Parker, who coached defensive backs in Denver and is in his first season as Dallas defensive coordinator.
Young defensive backs making plays is what Hooker pointed to after a Thursday practice in Oxnard on Aug. 6.
“The building is finally starting to put it all together. We got a lot of young guys that’s just playing their butts off right now, making plays. And that’s what makes the team so special for us,” Hooker said. “Not only the old guys making the plays and the communication stuff, but you can take old guys out. You can put the young guys out there and they’ll be just as good. So it’s special to see.”
Dallas Cowboys Used Five Of Seven Draft Picks On Defense
Dallas rebuilt the unit around that room. Five of the team’s seven draft picks went to defense. In free agency the Cowboys added Thompson on a deal worth $33 million, along with Locke, Durant, and Rashan Gary. Dallas then traded up one spot with the Miami Dolphins to take Caleb Downs 11th overall.
The Cowboys allowed 30.1 points per game last season, last in the NFL. They gave up 251.5 passing yards per game, also last. Dallas ranked 30th in total defense and 23rd against the run. The team finished 7-9-1 and missed the playoffs for a second straight year.
Talent was never the issue on paper for Hooker.
“We always had, on paper, a talented defense, but it’s not just about being talented, it’s about putting it all together and being disciplined with it,” Hooker explained. “Which we haven’t been these past couple of years. We’re looking forward to putting it all together.”
Caleb Downs Is The Only Player Listed At Defensive Back
Downs holds the defensive back line alone and is also second at punt returner behind KaVontae Turpin. Behind Thompson at safety are Markquese Bell and Alijah Clark. Hooker started 12 games in 2025. Thompson has 116 interception return yards in his career.
DaRon Bland starts at one cornerback, with Caelen Carson second and Ameer Speed third. Fourth-round cornerback Devin Moore is on injured reserve.
Up front the chart lists three defensive tackles, two outside linebackers, and two inside linebackers. Otito Ogbonnia, Kenny Clark, and Quinnen Williams are the tackles. Gary and Donovan Ezeiruaku are outside, with Von Miller second behind Gary. DeMarvion Overshown and Dee Winters are inside. Dallas ran a 4-3 front last season.
The Cowboys open Sunday night at the New York Giants. Kickoff at MetLife Stadium is 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC.
