I like what rookies Caleb Downs and Jaishawn Barham have given Dallas through two games, but I’m still worried about Sunday because they haven’t faced a running game like the Ravens.
That concern stems from the Washington game. The Cowboys let Jayden Daniels get out of the pocket and run six times for 69 yards and five first downs. Dallas had the chances to end those plays sooner, but couldn’t finish.
Now this defense gets Lamar Jackson with Derrick Henry lurking in the backfield. I have a hard time being comfortable with this game, even with two rookies on defense giving us reasons for hope.
Caleb Downs and Jaishawn Barham have helped Dallas take the ball away, but against Baltimore, I need to see whether the defense can survive the possessions when the football stays in Henry or Jackson’s hands.
Caleb Downs and Jaishawn Barham are Earning Respect
Barham’s forced fumble against Washington is one of the biggest reasons we have to be encouraged.
Dallas was ahead 20-13 in the third quarter when he knocked the ball loose. Dee Winters recovered, and the offense turned the fumble recovery into a touchdown to push the lead to 27-13. Before the turnover, Washington was close enough to make the game uncomfortable, then Barham helped change that.
I’ll take that from a rookie green dot linebacker all day.
Jaishawn Barham finished that game with seven tackles, one of those for a loss.
Caleb Downs has been productive too. Through two games, he has 17 tackles, a sack, and two forced fumbles. Barham isn’t far behind with 13 tackles and a forced fumble.
The excitement for these two is real, but I still need to see them help Dallas get through a full possession without giving up an easy first down.
Dallas Has Showed Us How They Will Use Downs
When P.J. Locke was injured against Washington, Dallas used Markquese Bell at deep safety and kept Downs at nickel.
That worked out, and a good example was, during the Washington game, we watched a run stop where motion brought Downs closer to the line before he reached the backfield, and he helped Kenny Clark finish the play.
Dallas had the chance to move Caleb Downs back, but instead chose to keep him near the line. I think that tells us where Christian Parker believes he helps the most.
Against Derrick Henry, every yard Dallas can stop him before he gets moving is a win.
The difficult part is keeping that aggressive headspace when going against Lamar Jackson at quarterback. We could watch Downs have a receiver to cover while the play action happens in front of him. Getting drawn into the backfield could leave someone open.
That’s why I want to see how Downs and Barham communicate. If one attacks the run, somebody has to handle the space and responsibility beside him. Baltimore will make Dallas defend more than the player who has the ball.
Jaishawn Barham Can Play Well Without Leading in Tackles
I don’t want Barham playing cautiously. His willingness to close and deliver hits is what makes him fun to watch.
I wouldn’t knock him for a stat sheet if he’s closing the lane the Ravens want. Against an offense that has a dangerous running back and running quarterback, staying in his responsibility can give a teammate a tackle.
What scares me with the rookie is Lamar Jackson being able to draw Barham towards the line of scrimmage on a broken pass play. Jackson will make him decide at some point in the game to either stay with the receiver or come after him.
Leave too early and there could be an easy throw, but wait too long and Jackson will get a first down before Barham knows what happened.
That’s a difficult spot to put any linebacker in, much less one playing in his third NFL game.
Dallas Has to Help Its Rookies
Overshown, Malik Hooker, and Cobie Durant are out. Locke went to injured reserve Saturday. Dallas is running low on experience around Downs and Barham than I think the team likes.
Those injured players put some pressure on the rookies, but they shouldn’t expect two rookies to clean up everything.
The defensive front has to take control against a weak offensive line. The coverage has to fix the past communication issues, so the front has long enough to get some pressure.
Otherwise, we will spend Monday talking about the defender who missed the tackle instead of talking about what put them in that position.
I like what I’ve seen from Caleb Downs and Jaishawn Barham. They’ve made some plays that have helped Dallas, but I will feel better if this defense can force a few punts Sunday without needing these rookies to knock the ball loose, but I’ll take that too.
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