What happened: The shared group is George Pickens, Joey Porter Jr., DeMarvion Overshown, P.J. Locke, Broderick Jones and Malik Hooker, per RapSheet. Dallas added Porter Jr. for a 2027 sixth-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick.
Why it matters: Pickens playing 2026 on the franchise tag concentrates extension risk with six starters approaching 2027 together. Dallas has already used 12 defensive backs in three games with Malik Hooker questionable and P.J. Locke on injured reserve.
By the numbers: Pickens caught 93 passes for 1,429 yards and 9 touchdowns in 17 games in 2025 with Dallas. Porter made 52 tackles with 1 sack and 1 interception in 14 games in 2025. Hooker made 52 tackles in 12 games in 2025, while Locke entered his seventh NFL season.
What to watch: Watch whether Dallas opens extensions with Mulugheta clients before the Nov. 10 trade deadline. Porter’s debut timeline and Week 4 rotation bear watching.