Cowboys 2026 roster rundown: DT Tommy Dunn
The Cowboys defensive line is going to look very different in 2026, but some fresh faces are more likely to be on the 53 than others. Undrafted free agent Tommy Dunn is hoping to defy expectations and find a crack in the current projections, or at least prove he’s worth keeping around for further development.
Background
Years in NFL: 0
Acquired by: UDFA (2026)
Dunn has spent the last five years at Kansas, playing alongside another Cowboys UDFA in D.J. Withers. He has been a starter the last two seasons for the Jayhawks, with a career-high 2.5 sacks as a senior. At 6’2” and over 290 lbs., he projects as a 4-3 defensive tackle or 3-4 end, which gives him a fairly clear role in Dallas’ transitioning defense.
Dunn’s path to Dallas isn’t just about needing more appropriate bodies for the new 3-4 scheme. His defensive coordinator the last two years, D.K. McDonald, was the Eagles’ defensive backs coach in 2023. One of his former assistants was Christian Parker, our ballyhooed new DC in 2026. That two of McDonald’s products, Dunn and Withers, found their way here this offseason feels like more than just coincidence. Hopefully, it means Parker has an inside scoop on their potential.
For more on Dunn’s college career and player profile, check out Mike Poland’s scouting report from early May.
Contract Status
Years Left: 3
2026 Cap Hit: $887k
No surprises here. It’s the standard three-year, minimal money deal we’ve seen with most UDFAs. There is at least a $50k guaranteed portion for guys like Dunn who probably won’t make the roster.
2026 Projections
Role: Backup DE
Roster Chance: 10%
As we’ve broken down before, it’s going to be tough for guys like Dunn to get on the 53 this year given it’s current makeup. Dallas’ switch to a 3-4 under Parker may have created more uncertainty, but we have been loading up on options to manage the various roles. Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark are the returning veterans, and they’re now joined by Otito Ogbonnia and Jonathan Bullard as free agents. Then there’s rookie L.T. Overton, who is highly likely to be on the roster.
If Dallas only keeps five DTs, that’s the probable group barring injuries. If they go with six, the first player most would expect is second-year prospect Jay Toia as a true nose tackle. But this where Dunn, Withers, Kelvin Gilliam, and Adedayo Odeleye are hoping they can force a debate. Dallas doesn’t necessarily need Toia to play nose, as Clark and Ogbonnia can both handle that spot. So if they do keep a sixth guy, it will probably be whoever of these prospects shows the most upside.
At the very least, Dunn should get plenty of time this summer to show his stuff. We aren’t going to see much of Williams, Clark, or Bullard in preseason games, giving these young guys plenty of snaps. Toia being a seventh-round pick last year isn’t going to matter: any of these undrafted guys have a shot if they can have a good August.
Check out our previous player profiles from this series:
