If you paid somewhat close attention to the Dallas Cowboys over the past several years, then you know all too well that they haven’t really invested very much in their defensive line. From the outside looking in, it seems as if they just don’t value the guys in the trenches on the defensive side of the ball. But luckily, that could be changing.
The Dallas Cowboys have quietly built a pretty solid DL, and it has the potential to be something really special in 2018.
You could say that a healthy DeMarcus Lawrence is the main reason for an improved defensive line heading into 2018, and you’d probably be right. Lawrence finally lived up to his potential last year and was one of the best pass rushing defensive ends in the entire NFL.
Lawrence has always been a good run defender, but when a DE is equally good at both, it’s difficult for opposing offenses to scheme ways to eliminate them. He has become the “War Daddy” the Dallas Cowboys have been searching for since DeMarcus Ware left.
Of course, Lawrence wasn’t the only player to blow things up in 2017. The Dallas Cowboys had another player along the DL who finished ranked among the best defensive tackles in the NFL, David Irving.
David Irving isn’t built like a traditional defensive tackle, but the fact that he finished ranked among the best and only played in eight games last season tells you all you need to know. He was a disruptive force getting after the QB from the interior of the Cowboys defensive line and should be able to pick up right where he left off.
With DeMarcus Lawrence and David Irving, the Dallas Cowboys defensive line already looks as if it could be scary good this season. But, it’s the depth behind them that improves the odds of this unit becoming something special.
Taco Charlton, last year’s first-round draft pick, showed a lot of improvement over the season last year and finished on a high note. If he can continue to progress, he could earn a starting role or at the very least be a good rotational piece.
Then there’s the possibility of Randy Gregory rejoining the Cowboys. He can’t really be counted on right now and there is no way of knowing what to expect since he’s been away from the game so long, but he has the potential to be a difference maker.
But, that’s not all. The Dallas Cowboys recently signed Kony Ealy to add even more depth to the defensive line. Ealy is full of untapped potential and the hope is that it will finally be released this season. Who better to bring out then Rod Marinelli?
The one area that could possibly take the Dallas Cowboys defensive line to the next level though is a truly dominating defensive tackle. They need more depth at the position, especially at the 1-technique. Maliek Collins filled in out of necessity last season, but it’s not his best position.
If the Dallas Cowboys were able to come away with someone like Vita Vea in the draft, a DT who demands double teams and can free up the linebackers behind him, it would completely transform the DL and the rest of the defense as well.
I’ve been saying it forever. If the Qb don’t have time that makes everything work better. Draft two LB GET YOUR SAFETY And the D is set
I like Vita Vea..but if we go another direction with the first pick them Poona Ford can be had in the 3rd our 4th rd…Malik Jefferson credited his play for freeing him up to make tackles…
2 years ago everyone was predicting that Collins would be a perennial all pro. He played most of last year with a broken foot or he would have dominated at the 1 technique like he did as a rookie. He runs a 4.6 40 compared VV 5.1. I agree we need a 1 technique but in later rounds for depth. We need a dominate LB to pair up with Lee & Smith when they are healthy and to take over when they are not. This defense played its best the short time McClain was in the middle and he was huge kind of like Vander Esche but McClain wasn’t as fast.
I would love to see them make 1 of 2 big splashes in the draft. 1. Trade up as high as they need to go to get Edwards and 2. trade up as high as they need to go to get G Quenton Nelson. I know I am dreaming but man would either of those moves be worth it and make the Cowboys instantly significantly better.
I like that you said they haven’t invested in the dline and they don’t value it and then immediately follow that by naming 2 second round picks and 1first round pick from 3 of the last 4 years. How else can they show they value it? Good article otherwise
Would love nothing more than this to be true. Both D Law and Irving are effectively in contract years so you expect to see their best. The good news on 1 Techs, there are 5-6 available this year who would be great fits besides VV (who I fear will be gone by 19) Payne Nnadi Settle, Poona Ford, BJ Hill Hurst (can play either) Fatukasi (UConn). Collins sliding back to his natural 3 would help too. How Dallas won 3 Super Bowls, they went 2 deep along the DL.
If they lose David Irving, it’s back to the drawing board, it would set the defense back to searching for another war daddy. Lawrence and Irving together generates enormous pressure on opposing quarterbacks, adding a defensive tackle like Vita Vea would mean lights out, the Cowboys would then probably have the best Defensive line in the league.