Bring back. Restore. Refresh.
Those are three actions that the Dallas Cowboys had to gravitate to after their losses to Arizona, San Francisco and Philadelphia.
For fans, we have to begin to bring back some stuff and remember what some players meant to this team over the last two years.
One player in particular I know I’m guilty of trying to demote and he is finally finding his footing at the right time this season.
Dallas is approaching the gauntlet portion of the year.
Having all hands on deck and everyone healthy is required now more than ever.
This former Texas A&M Aggies is trending upward despite people like me kicking dirt on him in earlier weeks.
He brings a specific skillset to this defense that we’ve been lacking.
Wilson’s physicality has been sorely missed in the 3rd level of the defense
Donovan Wilson came back to the Dallas Cowboys defense against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 3.
To put it plainly, it has not been great.
Signing a long term contract in the offseason just amplified his bad play.
Most fans expected him to hit the ground running and provide that physicality immediately upon his return.
That wasn’t the case.
It would not have been out of bounds to say he was getting the rust off.
He provided a hit every now and again but not to the degree that we’ve become accustomed to.
Malik Hooker and Jayron Kearse bring some really solid attributes to the team from a coverage standpoint.
The run stuffing portion of the secondary is typically provided by Wilson.
According to Pro Football Focus, his defensive grades have been trending upward (66.8, 75.1 and 70.2).
Those are much better than the 30s and 40s he was getting earlier in the season.
I know what you are thinking – that was against the New York Giants, Carolina Panthers and Washington Commanders. This is true.
However, just like in high school and college, we need ramp up games and he needed them in preparation of December.
We are still going to need alot more from Donovan Wilson
We know that Philly is coming back for round 2 along with Miami, Detroit, Seattle and Buffalo.
The plays around the line of scrimmage will be there for the taking.
Each of those teams have a solid rushing attack and will be deploying it consistently to keep Dallas pass rush from getting off.
It’ll also be interesting to see how Dallas offset the bigger offensive lines with Wilson and Markquese Bell consistently playing together.
Wilson’s PFF against the run Thursday was adequate at 71.4 but not near good enough to be impactful for these next opponents.
Wilson has all the talent and mentality to be the enforcer that he was last season and even two seasons before that.
The added cause for concern is the mobile quarterbacks.
Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts are front and center in that group. Willson has been effective in the past in that area but we’ll need more.
Wilson was able to get this timely fumble from Bryce Young but you may not see those gimmes in the future.
The positive that was can take from the last three weeks is Donovan is improving compared to his first three weeks.
Will that be enough to expect a pivotal play from him in weeks to come?
Time will tell.
