2024 Roster Review: Backup Defensive Line – Part 12 of 17. Click here to view all articles in this series.
There is no debate when it comes to the Dallas Cowboys' defensive line in 2023. It was clearly the weakest unit on the team.
Especially in stopping the run up the middle as teams continually gashed the interior of the defense.
As a unit, the backup defensive linemen had precious few highlights in 2023. They also had far too many forgettable moments in 2023.
This unit out of all of the Cowboys needs to make the biggest improvement in 2024. Something that should happen with the arrival of new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.
But for now, here's how they fared in 2023:
Mazi Smith
Taken in the first round out of Michigan with the 26th pick, Smith was clearly expected to make a significant impact in his rookie campaign.
He clearly did not.
He started three games – when Johnathan Hankins was not available – but played in all 17.
Smith finished with just 13 tackles – three for a loss – in his first year. He added three quarterback hits and one sack.
But his sack of Josh Allen in the Cowboys' 31-10 loss to the Bills was an excuse-me sack.
Allen had escaped from two other defenders before running into Smith – who had been shoved out of the play.
It was a common refrain for Smith who was getting pushed around for most of the year. The reason being an inexplicable ask that he shed 30 pounds in the preseason.
Expect Zimmer to have Smith put the weight back on along with some extra pounds and be the shover in 2024 instead of the shoved.
Sam Williams
In his two years in Dallas, Williams has shown flashes of being a solid defensive end.
He's also shown a few too many flashes of being an undisciplined player. Especially in 2023.
A roughing the kicker against the Bills being the prime example of far too many bone-headed penalties that hurt the Cowboys badly.
Those mistakes will need to be cleaned up in 2024.
But in Williams' favor, he does make some solid plays on the field. In 2023 he played in all 17 games and had 26 tackles – five for a loss.
He added 4.5 sacks and seven quarterback hits in addition to recording a safety and forcing a fumble.
It remains to be seen if he can crack the starting lineup or not, but at the very least he'll need to keep improving to earn more playing time.
Tyrus Wheat
In his rookie season, Wheat spent all of his playing time in the last 12 games of the season on special teams. He finished with three tackles on the year.
He did not see any action on the field with the regular defensive unit in 2023.
Barring injuries, he'll likely remain a special teams player in 2024.
Dante Fowler
The Cowboys brought Fowler in for his eighth NFL season on a one-year contract in 2023. He's currently an unrestricted free agent.
With the departure of Dan Quinn – who also coached him in Atlanta – don't expect Fowler to return to Dallas in 2024.
But the Cowboys did get a solid year out of Fowler. In 17 games as a backup, Fowler had 13 tackles with five going for a loss.
He recorded seven quarterback hits and four sacks while defending three passes.
He also forced a fumble.
Dorance Armstrong
Armstrong is also an unrestricted free agent in 2024 who has played all six of his NFL seasons in Dallas. Unlike Fowler, he might return to play for the Cowboys this year.
After a five-start season in 2022 that saw him collect 8.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries with 33 tackles, Armstrong had a solid 2023.
With just one start in 17 games, Armstrong had 38 tackles and 7.5 sacks. He had seven tackles for a loss, 12 quarterback hits – he had 16 in 2022 — and a pass defended.
Armstrong could give Chauncey Golston a run for his money to be a starter in 2024 at defensive end.
Neville Gallimore
Gallimore is also a free agent this year. He's less likely to return in 2024.
Despite playing in one more game than he did in 2022, his numbers dropped significantly. He had just 16 tackles in 2023, after a 33 tackle campaign in 2022.
He matched his one sack season as well as having another two tackles for a loss year.
But his snap count numbers dropped along with his position on the depth chart as 2023 progressed. The Cowboys might just be ready to move on.
Carl Davis
The Cowboys signed Davis to a one-year contract for less than $400,000 for 2023. They got three games and three tackles for their money.
At 32 years of age, I doubt Davis returns for the 2024 campaign.
