​A new free agent addition has been identified as the Dallas Cowboys’ biggest bust candidate for the 2026 season, a designation that originated from The Sporting News. The Sporting News is noted as a preferred source for this report by clicking here. The latest development centers on Moe Moton of Bleacher Report, who recently offered his projections for each team’s most likely bust in the 2026 campaign. Moton specifically pointed to Thompson’s limited history of playmaking as the primary justification for labeling him the Cowboys’ top bust risk.
According to Moton, the Cowboys have overhauled their secondary with several offseason moves, including the signing of Jalen Thompson to a three-year, $33 million contract. He argues that this deal may be excessive for a safety who has posted minimal ball production and who has posted subpar coverage metrics over the past two seasons. Moton notes that Thompson has not recorded an interception since the 2023 season. While Thompson did accumulate nine pass breakups during that span, his seven-year career also features a relatively high passer rating against when targeted, topping 102 in that period. Moton emphasizes that seven of Thompson’s nine career interceptions came in just two seasons—2021 and 2023—highlighting a pattern of inconsistency in playmaking. With this track record, he contends that Thompson could become a free-agent disappointment if expectations aren’t met.
The article acknowledges that the Cowboys undertook a significant defensive rebuild, yet Moton’s argument centers on the potential risk of overpayting for a player whose impact may not translate into the expected level of playmaking. As with any preseason assessment, this analysis will likely be revisited as Thompson’s performance unfolds during the 2026 season. This story is subject to updates as more information becomes available.
For readers seeking further NFL coverage and updates, related stories include the Washington Commanders announcing the retirement of a player’s number, Tom Brady’s critique of the Raiders following a disappointing 2025 season, San Francisco 49ers’ George Kittle issuing a caution to teams eyeing Brandon Aiyuk, and discussions about potential early-season roster changes, including a notable All-Pro defender who might become a candidacy for a Pittsburgh Steelers cut. There are also ongoing developments regarding Broncos quarterback Bo Nix and his status as he recovers from a right ankle injury, a topic that continues to attract interest in the SEO landscape.