Malaki Starks would be circled on my scouting report this week. The Ravens have gotten two shaky games from their starting safety, and Dallas has the receiving weapons to take advantage.
Brian Schottenhiemer should look for ways to get these guys matched against him versus the Ravens.
I’m concerned about Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry too, but that’s another story. We are talking about the Cowboys’ offense and this unit has to give Baltimore something to worry about. Malaki Starks’ coverage problems is where I’d start.
Malaki Starks Is the Premier Matchup
Going through PFF’s rankings, I found that Malaki Starks’ coverage grade is 33.8 through two weeks. This grade ranks him 83rd out of 85 qualifying safeties.
He has been charged with seven receptions allowed, no pass breakups, and a 158.3 passer rating when targeted. That’s the highest possible passer rating achieved.
Those numbers belong in this week’s scouting report against the Ravens because his teammates have been better in coverage.
Marlon Humphrey’s coverage grade is 90.4, Kyle Hamilton’s is 78.0, and Nate Wiggins’ was 72.9. Then there’s Jaylin Hawkins who is also struggling at safety with a 49.4. These aren’t guarantees about which player gives up the next big completion, but I would start here.
What sells me on Starks is the reported breakdown against Indianapolis. Josh Downs beat him in man coverage on an in-breaking route for 25 yards. This is a matchup Dallas should try to find for CeeDee Lamb.
Put CeeDee inside and see who takes him. Motion can show clues, but it won’t give us every responsibility. If Starks ends up covering him without help, I like Lambs’ chances on an option route or an in-breaker route.
George Pickens Belongs in this Conversation
I think leaving George Pickens outside to wait for a deep shot wastes an opportunity to involve both receivers in the same coverage decision against the Ravens.
Against New Orleans, Chris Olave started outside and ran a post. Devaughn Vele lined up inside and ran a corner route. A “scissors” route if anyone cares. Starks and Humphrey both drifted towards Vele, leaving Olave open for a 21-yard touchdown.
I would have that play ready before Dallas boards the plan for Rio.
My version has Pickens outside and Lamb inside. Pickens breaks toward the middle as Lamb heads toward the sideline, with Dak Prescott reading how Baltimore handles the play. Neither receiver is guaranteed to get open, but both those guys deserve attention.
Yes I know, the Ravens have had a week to correct this mistake. Run the play anyway and find out if the correction holds. If it does, Dak should have a safety valve built into the play.
Short Catches Need to Go Somewhere
I think the Ravens’ completion percentage is where the Cowboys can take advantage. Opponents have completed 46 of 65 passes through two games for 70.8%, but gained 418 yards. That’s 6.4 yards per attempt.
I can’t turn those numbers into a claim that Baltimore gets shredded through the air. The better argument is that Dallas can make short completions and let their yards after catch receivers take advantage.
Baltimore’s own media outlets reported identifying Hawkins missing a tackle on Juwan Johnson’s crucial third-and-eight reception against New Orleans. Jesse Minter even acknowledged problems with pursuit angles and tackling checkdowns.
Lamb and Jake Ferguson should get plenty of opportunities with room against this defense. My patience for a five-yard throw on a third-and-eight depends on whether the receiver has a chance to break free.
We watched as Dak just completed 26 of 31 passes and four touchdowns against Washington. Lamb had 153 receiving yards and two scores. Ferguson caught all four targets for 43 yards and two touchdowns.
Those are the guys and types of completions that give me hope versus the Ravens instead of making the line block while Pickens gets deep.
Was this helpful?
Comments