There is no argument. The defensive side of the ball was the best unit for the Dallas Cowboys in 2022. Retaining Dan Quinn was the best thing that could have happened for this unit and for the team overall.
That being said, there are some holes that will need to be filled. Starting with the middle of the defensive line, which got exposed as the season drew to a close. Fix this weak spot and we could be talking Doomsday Defense II.
THE DEFENSIVE TACKLES
The Cowboys defense struggled in the second half of the season in stopping the run. This problem was magnified when linebacker Leighton Vander Esch missed games at the end of the year.
Dallas will likely let Johnathan Hankins go in free agency, unless they can get him back on a very team-friendly contract. At least this is what I think they are thinking, and I was right about Tony Pollard getting the franchise tag.
But this is the Jones gang we’re talking about, so who really knows, right? But let us assume Hankins does not come back. This would leave the team with three tackles: Quinton Bohanna, Neville Gallimore, and Osa Odighizuwa.
Gallimore would then become the elder statesman of the defensive tackle group as he enters his fourth year. Both Bohanna and Odighizuwa will each be playing their third NFL seasons in 2023. So the potential is there for improvement.
There is also the potential for continued growing pains if not regression. That being the case, going into the year with three tackles may not be a great idea.
What the Cowboys need is a monster in the middle who commands the attention of the opposing center and possibly both guards. Think the second coming of Bob Lilly or Randy White. Haloti Ngata or Warren Sapp for you younger kids.
Whoever it turns out to be they need to find him and get him on the line. This would free up the strength of the defensive line to wreak havoc: The outside pass-rushing ends.
THE DEFENSIVE ENDS
Both Micah Parsons and Demarcus Lawrence are signed for the next two seasons so neither are going anywhere. Which is great news for Dallas as both terrorize opposing quarterbacks. Especially when the running game has been contained.
But they need backups who can get the job done when they take a blow on the sideline. Assuming his legal issues don’t become a major situation, Sam Williams showed flashes of being a serviceable backup. Chauncey Golston also looked good at times.
Dallas has two players at defensive end that are free agents – Dante Fowler Jr. and Carlos Watkins. Fowler is a year younger and has history with Quinn. Don’t be surprised to see Fowler back but not Watkins.
Watkins was cut from the team last year and re-signed after fifth-round draft pick Matt Waletzko was placed on injured reserve. If the Cowboys need to make cuts, Watkins might be an early casualty.
THE SOLUTION
Honestly, there isn’t much to fix, aside from shoring up the interior against the run. How Dallas goes about it remains to be seen.
While I don’t have an office at The Star, if the task is to sign a defensive tackle I do have a humble suggestion. Zach Allen, a free agent this year who played next to J.J. Watt for the Arizona Cardinals.
He had to have absorbed a lot from playing next to a future Hall of Famer. That experience could be very valuable on the Cowboys defensive line in 2023.
I make this move in a heartbeat, but I’m not the general manager at The Star. It remains to be seen if the Cowboys front office will. Assuming they are even looking at free agency for an interior defensive lineman at all.
you want to talk about a monster in the middle, look no further then Mazi Smith he’s a 6’3 337 lb force, as a buckeye fan, I hate Mazi Smith, as an NFL fan, I would love to see him taken at 26 for Dallas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUjIP0N5jqk
Totally concur ! However you’re talking about The Jones Geniuses here. Look for them to overdraft a scrub and skip right over a future Pro Bowler. Because they’re so good at what they do (NOT).
Man, would I love for this team to take Mazi. It’ll have to be a premium pick though… 1st or 2nd
Hello Richard! You commented in your article that you’re not the Cowboys General Manager, well neither is Jerry or Stephen Jones. There couldn’t be two guys less suited to having the jobs they have. They’re Public Enemy Number One where the Cowboys are concerned. Neither knows as much as they claim to know. The proof is how the Cowboys ALWAYS seem to come up short when it matters most. Also neither of these MULE HEADS will admit their failures and shortcomings. That’s why we will continue to lose to teams not as talented as we are. Poor Leadership at the very top of the organization.
Wow. So much to unpack here.
1 – Sam Williams is a “serviceable backup”. This is not even a serious comment. Sam will be pushing for a starters role next season given his play.
2 – Bohanna has peaked. If he was going to be good at a position that is simply a run stuffer, we would have seen it. I expect him in camp, but he’s likely gone along with Gallimore (The team is already down on him). Which brings me to…
3 – I expect this team to make a run at signing Hankins or dipping into free agency for Javon Hargrave or A’Shawn Robinson. Both are better players and could be had on a ‘Jones Special’ – 2year team friendly deal
4 – The 3T is in good hands with Osa and Chauncey
+The COwboys nred tp contribure on drafting DE or DT __ First round and Second!’!!!2Usaully a TE fall¹s in their lap!!
The Cowboys need to draft DE orDT in the first and second round usually someone special falls in their lap!!!