For years, the Dallas Cowboys defense has struggled to stop the run, but everything changed with the signing of Johnathan Hankins in 2022. Things are changing on that side of the ball this summer, with Mike Zimmer taking over as defensive coordinator to replace Dan Quinn.

What does this mean for personnel?

That will be resolved soon, but if history is any indication of how Zimmer intends to develop his defense, he is likely already making a case for why Dallas’ defensive line interior requires improvement. With NFL free agency approaching and several whales anticipated to swim in it, here are 10 players Zimmer would probably do a backflip over.

Jon Hankins:You’ve seen what the Cowboys’ run defense looks like with and without Hankins, so any consideration of re-signing him makes a lot of sense for Dallas. Since joining the Cowboys via trade in October 2022, the veteran, big-bodied nose tackle has reminded them of what it means to have an interior defensive lineman eating up double teams and being a brick wall that stops running backs in their tracks; he is ultimately the reason they decided to use a first-round pick on Mazi Smith (more on that later).

He was generally resurgent in 2023, going so far as to record two sacks, demonstrating his ability to put pressure on passers. Hankins wants to stay in Dallas for a third time and has been very vocal about it; and at 31 years old, he still has plenty of tread on his monster truck tires.

Gallimore, a rookie third-round pick in 2020, experienced a severe elbow injury in 2021 and fought to recover in 2022. He is now in his contract year. After struggling with mental recuperation and not playing as well as before the injury, he returned to his full potential in 2023, earning a spot on the final roster and a successful season that resembled his first.

Gallimore, who is set to become an unrestricted free agency in March, will be up to Mike Zimmer to decide his future in Dallas, but the former third-round choice has clearly done enough to stay as a rotating interior lineman on what should be a reasonable negotiated contract.

Osa Odighizuwa: You can say everything wonderful about Odighizuwa and still not say enough. All he does is improve year after year, rather than waiting until the third year of an NFL lineman’s career to figure out how to absolutely dominate at the professional level.

The former third-round pick (2021) recorded a pair of sacks from the interior as a rookie and has since quadrupled that output while also having a career-best season in most major categories in 2023, proving himself a game changer at times. As quiet as he has been, he will reach a contract year in 2024, so keep that in mind as you head into the next offseason.

Chauncey Golston: Joining Odighizuwa in approaching a contract year is Golston, a strong rotational prospect who has improved consistently and evenly in his first three seasons. He, like Gallimore, is a previous third-round pick who, one year later, appeared to be a versatile interior lineman capable of playing many positions. Golston has occasionally rushed off the brink.

However, unlike Gallimore, Golston is also a significant special teams contributor, which matters as an incoming defensive coordinator evaluates him on one end and the existing special teams coordinator advocates for him on the other. Finally, what Golston can accomplish on all fronts in the final year of his rookie contract will provide a better sense of how his future may evolve after 2024.

Mazi Smith: Fix this scenario, Zimmer. When Smith was picked in the first round out of Michigan in 2023, he was a monster of a man with enough power in his arms to choke Thanos to death. He’s subsequently been challenged by the Dan Quinn administration with losing a lot of weight, and while his power remains, he’s not physically built to be an NFL nose tackle.

The Cowboys were insistent after the pick that they wanted to unleash Smith’s pass rush abilities, and while we all accepted those statements in stride, no one expected them to try to morph their future nose tackle (1-tech) into a 3-tech, especially because Hankins was still on a short-term deal. My goal is that Zimmer keeps Hankins and/or adds another free agent to 1-tech, then drops Smith off at the local buffet with one of Jerry Jones’ credit cards to assure he returns to big-boy status.

While you’re at it, Zim, try to speed up his departure.

What’s out there:

Note: These players will become unrestricted on March 13, unless they sign a new contract with their current squad before then.

Christopher Jones:Yes, and more yeses. Have I mentioned yes? Because, sure. Jones is easily the most sought-after interior defensive lineman on the open market this offseason, if the Chiefs do not hit him with [another] franchise tag, which is likely. If they don’t, the Cowboys and Zimmer should be knocking on Jones’ door with roses, chocolates, and a checkbook as soon as March 11, when legal tampering may begin, to try to add the three-time Super Bowl winner, five-time Pro Bowler, and five-time All-Pro to the defensive line.

Jones is vicious, ferocious, seasoned, and, right now, still in his 20s, yet he has already piled up an eye-popping 75.5 career sacks (26 combined in the previous two seasons alone), making him one of the best to ever do it, and he can do it from the inside, outside, or, heck, from the parking lot.

But if you want Jones, and you do, get out the big pocketbook.

Jones plus Parsons, Odighizuwa, and Lawrence?

That sound you hear is me holding my pearls while opposition quarterbacks file charges.

Christian Wilkins, a less well-known but affordable option, is a personal favorite. The 28-year-old does not have Jones’ resume, but it is not to be taken lightly. Coming off a career-best season in which he recorded nine sacks for the Dolphins, as well as a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries, the former 13th overall choice has made quite an impression since arriving in Miami.

His fifth-year option has now expired, and he’s looking for a sizable contract for his efforts, and I believe that if you’re considering Jones at all, you have the money and resources to consider Wilkins as well, in the event you don’t land the former — especially given what he can do as a run defender.

Leonard Williams: As we continue to fall down the money scale, we come across another strong candidate, one the Cowboys are familiar with from his time as a contractor with the New York Giants. Williams, a former first-round pick (sixth overall in 2015), was transferred to the Seattle Seahawks following two bouts with the franchise tag.

Williams, one of the greatest run defenses in this year’s free agency pool, may be tempted to return to the familiar confines of the NFC East, especially because it would mean facing off against the Giants at least twice a season.

Justin Madubuke:I can’t understand why more people aren’t discussing what Madubuike brings to the table this spring. It’s possible that he’s being overshadowed by an otherworldly linebackers unit in Baltimore, and that’s understandable, but don’t be fooled into thinking the Ravens don’t have horses up front, with Madubuike being one of the biggest feedbags in the stable.

Do you want him to defend the run? No issue; he excels at it. Do you want him to rush the passer? So how does 13 sacks in 2023 sound to you? The reason for his silence is unclear, but it may be to keep the price low.

DJ Reader: I’m torn about Reader, but not enough to leave him off this list of Cowboys prospects. My worry is his recent injury, since the Cowboys cannot afford to lose another vital defense for an extended period of time. That being said, Reader isn’t missing full seasons due to injury, and he’s shown to be a four-handed weapon when he’s on the field for Cincinnati.

I used the term “four handfuls” because relying solely on one person in the trenches is ineffective. However, as he heals from a torn quad in 2023, it is unclear whether he will be ready for training camp and how long it will take the 29-year-old to return to top shape.

He’s in an ideal position for a prove-it deal to rebuild his brand and re-enter the market in 2025, which is just acceptable with me in this scenario: not overcommitting while still committing.

Honorable mentions include Calais Campbell, Grover Stewart, Sheldon Rankins, Teair Tart, DaQuan Jones, Maurice Hurst, Quinton Jefferson, Javon Kinlaw, Shelby Harris, and Fletcher Cox.-

Campbell just does not age and, as a result, would always have a spot on my roster if I were making those decisions. There are more great names here, with differing degrees of risk and production. While I don’t believe Cox would ever leave Philly to join Dallas, didn’t Jason Peters? And didn’t Peters come through for the Cowboys on more than one occasion?

The bottom line is this: with the Cowboys needing to double down on their interior defensive line — something Zimmer will most likely pound the table for, given how his defenses have historically been built — walking away from this year’s robust pool of talent with empty hands would be the antithesis of being “all in.”