3 Defensive Moves the Cowboys must make this off-season.
During Mike McCarthy’s four postseason appearances, the Dallas Cowboys have given up 363 yards per game on average.
The Cowboys would be ranked 28th in the NFL if we were to rank the rest of the league in terms of yards allowed per game this season.
The Cowboys defense is regarded as a dominant unit because it consistently causes turnovers and sacks while feasting on weak offenses.
But once the lights get bright, they usually go out and get severely and physically beaten down.
Heading into this off-season, with or without Defensive Coordinator Dan Quinn, the Cowboys must make defensive improvement the priority if they want to have a real chance at contending.
With that considered, here are the three defensive moves I believe the front office must consider this off-season.
Bring Back Key Pieces
Given that we are discussing advancing the defense, it is imperative that we do not retreat.
This entails compensating important players for the 2023 defense, particularly in the secondary.
In my opinion, the top four players Dallas needs to bring back are Jonathan Hankins, Stephon Gilmore, Jordan Lewis, and Dante Fowler Jr.
All four of these people were dependable and came through in crucial moments, even with their advanced age.
Without Gilmore and Lewis, I think you see a major dropoff in the secondary. Barring a high draft pick or free agent signing, that would leave Dallas with Trevon Diggs off an ACL injury, DaRon Bland, Nahshon Wright, and Eric Scott Jr
That group will not get the job done.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. Just bring in new corners.
The issue there is, that means you are either using a pick in the top three rounds on a corner, signing a starter for $7M+ annually, or both.
Why do either of those when you can bring back reliable players that are already familiar with the team and system, and use those early picks on bigger needs, like tackle, running back, and linebacker?
Don’t let the Green Bay disaster fool you. Gilmore and Lewis were solid, and at times, high-quality players this season.
New Look Linebacking Corps
As sad of an end as it is, the career of former-first-round pick, Leighton Vander Esch, is likely over. ESPN’s Ed Werder reiterated this likelihood on Thursday.
When you combine that with a mediocre, at best, group, it becomes clear that linebacker is perhaps the biggest need for Dallas heading into 2024.
This season, the Cowboys played safeties at linebacker, were forced to give practice squad-level players snaps, and got bullied in the run-and-pass game for it.
The one safety-to-linebacker player that worked out was Markquese Bell, who will be a big piece for Dallas next year as well.
Yet, even Bell, and the other semi-bright spot, Damone Clark, struggled mightily against Green Bay.
The point is, this off-season needs to be about buffing up the starting linebackers and the depth at the position.
I believe that starts with free agency.
The Cowboys’ must make signing Titans linebacker, and impending free agent, Azeez Al-Shaair, a top priority.
Truth be told, they should have acquired him at this year’s trade deadline, but they will have another chance this spring.
Al-Shaair immediately establishes himself as Dallas’ best linebacker after recording four passes defended, nine tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, and 163 total tackles in the previous campaign.
At just 26, this guy can be the front seven’s leader for the next three to five years.
Second, Dallas should select Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper in this year’s selection.
Cooper gives Dallas the intangibles it has been missing, and he is expected to be chosen in the first or second round.
Dallas will also benefit from the return of 2023 fourth-round selection DeMarvion Overshown, who is recovering from an ACL tear.
Stop The Run
The Cowboys’ true bugaboo for years now has been the run defense.
Especially in the postseason, teams regularly put up 100+ rushing yards when facing Dallas.
Perhaps the biggest reason why this issue has stuck around for so many seasons is the fact that the front office has yet to truly invest in the run defense.
It seemed they wanted to change that tune with the selection of Mazi Smith in the first round last year, until they made him lose 30 lbs and barely played him this season.
Dallas needs to focus on bulking Smith back up, bringing back Hankins for depth, and getting themselves a true run-stopper to pair with Osa Odighizuwa.
This could present itself in the draft, but I think the Cowboys need to focus on getting an established run stuffer in free agency.
I believe Colts Defensive Tackle, Grover Stewart is the man for that job.
Stewart is hitting free agency and is expected to get around $30M over three years: Dallas can afford that.
By adding Stewart, the Cowboys’ front seven would have access to one of the league’s top run defenses. In addition to how his skill will impact the defense, his very existence will free up more attention for players like Odighizuwa, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Michah Parsons.
Teams like the Packers, Rams, 49ers, and Eagles would be wise to think twice before taking advantage of the Cowboys’ run defense the way they usually do after seeing a move like this.
Dallas’ defense is capable of being excellent, but in order to get there, they must fill the obvious gaps on the field.
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