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Over the offseason the Dallas Cowboys made a willful effort into shoring up their safety room. After letting Donovan Wilson depart in peace and reducing the cost of Malik Hooker, they signed a veteran safety with skins on the wall. That safety is former Denver Bronco, P.J. Locke.
While the signing of Jalen Thompson made all the headlines, Locke largely flew under the radar. Signed to a one-year deal that approached $4M, Locke lacked the glamour and commitment Thompson’s signing brought. But Locke had familiarity with the new Cowboys coaching staff. He had a versatile game and special teams ability as well. In other words, he has staying power and that might be bad news for other safety hopefuls in 2026.
The top of the depth chart is locked in stone. The rookie Caleb Downs and veteran Thompson are going to be mainstays on defense regardless of personnel package. Behind them sits Hooker, Dallas’ top centerfield safety and Locke, seemingly a handpicked addition from the new coaching staff. Veteran Markquese Bell is in the mix, as is special teams standout Alijah Clark. It’s a crowded room in which Locke could impact significantly.
Expectations for Locke are all over the board. Most of Locke’s time in the NFL has been on special teams. His first three years were predominantly special teams, as was last season. But sandwiched in the middle, Locke started 23 games on defense over the course of two seasons. Those seasons the 5-foot-10, 202-pound Texas product proved his versatility which should serve him well in Dallas.
Locke wasn’t an ideal starter at safety, but he was a solid depth piece. He should be able to push ahead of Bell in this safety group and could theoretically pass Hooker, if Hooker’s perceived decline proves true. Neither Bell nor Hooker offer much in cap savings if cut so their spots are probably safe on the roster, but it could have a trickledown effect that would bump someone like Clark off the team.
It’s difficult to see Locke in more than a spot duty role and if he does get something more than that it’s more likely a sign that something went wrong than something went right. At 29, Locke is a great veteran presence on a staff that values smart safety play.
You can follow Reid on X @ReidDHanson and be sure to follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Under-the-radar free agent signing a wildcard in Cowboys safety room
Continue reading...
While the signing of Jalen Thompson made all the headlines, Locke largely flew under the radar. Signed to a one-year deal that approached $4M, Locke lacked the glamour and commitment Thompson’s signing brought. But Locke had familiarity with the new Cowboys coaching staff. He had a versatile game and special teams ability as well. In other words, he has staying power and that might be bad news for other safety hopefuls in 2026.
The top of the depth chart is locked in stone. The rookie Caleb Downs and veteran Thompson are going to be mainstays on defense regardless of personnel package. Behind them sits Hooker, Dallas’ top centerfield safety and Locke, seemingly a handpicked addition from the new coaching staff. Veteran Markquese Bell is in the mix, as is special teams standout Alijah Clark. It’s a crowded room in which Locke could impact significantly.
Expectations for Locke are all over the board. Most of Locke’s time in the NFL has been on special teams. His first three years were predominantly special teams, as was last season. But sandwiched in the middle, Locke started 23 games on defense over the course of two seasons. Those seasons the 5-foot-10, 202-pound Texas product proved his versatility which should serve him well in Dallas.
Locke wasn’t an ideal starter at safety, but he was a solid depth piece. He should be able to push ahead of Bell in this safety group and could theoretically pass Hooker, if Hooker’s perceived decline proves true. Neither Bell nor Hooker offer much in cap savings if cut so their spots are probably safe on the roster, but it could have a trickledown effect that would bump someone like Clark off the team.
It’s difficult to see Locke in more than a spot duty role and if he does get something more than that it’s more likely a sign that something went wrong than something went right. At 29, Locke is a great veteran presence on a staff that values smart safety play.
You can follow Reid on X @ReidDHanson and be sure to follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Under-the-radar free agent signing a wildcard in Cowboys safety room
Continue reading...
