Dallas Cowboys rebuild roster depth to compete with Los Angeles Rams defense

The Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams utilized contrasting strategies to address defensive shortcomings ahead of the 2026 season. While the Rams acquired high-profile stars including Myles Garrett, Trent McDuffie, and Aaron Donald, the Cowboys focused on replacing 70% of their defensive roster with role-specific talent. Under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, Dallas prioritized depth across all three levels to mitigate the impact of potential injuries. In contrast, the Rams face uncertainty regarding the health of marquee additions like Garrett, who has missed weeks of practice due to knee and lower-body concerns. The Cowboys integrated new secondary and defensive line rotations intended to sustain performance throughout the schedule. This approach aims to provide the team with consistent defensive stability that their front office believes will outperform a top-heavy roster strategy over the course of the full season.

• 10:04 PMYahoo Sports — Despite star power, can Cowboys defense outperform Rams in long run?