Defensive Coordinator Dan Quinn walked into the Dallas Cowboys operation full of confidence and optimism about what this defense could be.
Some players had to go (Jaylon Smith), and others rose to dominance (Micah Parsons).
Now, Quinn is entering his 3rd season with the team, and his fingerprints are all over this defensive unit.
This Dallas Cowboys roster boasts a variety of player types at the defensive line, athleticism at linebacker, and balance on the back end.
Conventional wisdom be damn, Dallas has doubled down on their hybrid approach. They have players at every level who can play different roles.
Let's go through a few of the names and what type of impact we should expect from that player.
Viliami Fehoko, Jr. will get plenty of snaps on the interior
Why on God's green Earth would I not start this article with Micah Parsons? He is the ultimate hybrid linebacker/edge player. It's an easy layup, right?
It's simple. Micah is a known commodity that everyone will see coming. He would be a top two or three players at the linebacker or defensive end positions.
They won't be able to say that about Junior Fehoko out of San Jose State.
The 6'4, 270lbs Tyrone Crawford clone was relatively quiet during the preseason. There were moments when we saw flashes, but expectations going forward will be lower for the rookie tweener.
Here's the good, though – his ability to play inside and outside allows Dallas' front four to stress offenses.
Viliami Fehoko Jr. gearing up for his preseason debut #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/u4l4ZGq7Vr
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisDC) August 20, 2023
Some weeks, he'll provide depth on the edge and others on the interior.
While Chauncey Golston is a similar type of player, Fehoko provides more raw explosiveness off the line of scrimmage.
Dallas can use that to their advantage now that he is fully healthy and ready to make an impact.
He will give the team some healthy rotational snaps with Osa Odighizuwa, Neville Gallimore and Golston. The fact that he'll be able to play the edge in sub-packages is a plus.
This makes two out of two seasons Markquese will be on the active roster
Again, this could have been another place to plug Parsons in, but I refuse to take the easy way when there are so many other options.
Markquese Bell will make a name for himself – mark my words. No one says he'll be an All-Pro or a Pro Bowl-caliber player.
What he will do is represent the hybrid aspect within the linebacker room.
He's filling in for DeMarvion Overshown to a certain extent. He was so good this preseason that Dallas took the chance of letting Jabril Cox sit on the waiver wire.
#Cowboys DC Dan Quinn to add LB duties for S Markquese Bell, taking more of DeMarvion Overshown's role ✭ pic.twitter.com/8UYMZAaDVM
— The Cowboys Network (@TheCowboysNet) August 23, 2023
His talents will shine bright when our opponents try and space the field with athletic tight ends, i.e., Darren Waller in week one, or running backs who can catch out of the backfield.
Granted, they'll give up some size in exchange for that athleticism, but it would be worth the trade.
The question was always – how will Quinn get him on the field with Donovan Wilson and Jayron Kearse?
It was only the preseason, and I know I have to temper my expectations, but he only allowed a 56.3 quarterback rating when thrown at him.
He is a player who tackles like a linebacker but looks like a defensive back. It doesn't get any better than that.
Jayron Kearse is ready to make good in a contract year
The backend of the defense may be as important as any position group on this team.
They are the last line of defense and serve as a Maybelline for any blemishes that may pop up on the field.
Jayron Kearse is the epitome of hybrid flexibility for Dan Quinn.
There was a time not too long ago when Kearse arrived in Dallas, and I'll admit I assumed he would be a special teams player. That's what he was in Minnesota as well as Detroit.
Cowboys safety Jayron Kearse, who is an unrestricted free agent after the season, on his contract situation: “It's part of this business. I just go play football. I can't do anything about the contract situation.”
Any extra motivation?
“Yeah. Either way, though, I have to go…
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 31, 2023
It seemed natural that was going to be his role here.
However, he flipped the script and carved out a role for himself. Well, that's not fair. He did more than carve out a role. He made himself into a borderline Pro Bowl player in Quinn's scheme.
He was the guy who lined up across Travis Kelce on week 11 in 2021 and more than held his own against the all-world tight end.
Only a few guys can say they did that.
Jayron has proven that he can play in both the run and the pass, which isn't something we should take lightly. According to Pro Football Focus, he earned an overall grade of 70.6 and an 88.7 for tackling last season.
Let's stay right there with PFF. His defensive alignment breakdown is downright ridiculous. You can't make this stuff up. He lined up 308 snaps in the box, 180 as the free safety, 183 in the slot, 113 at the defensive line, and 31 at cornerback.
If he isn't the hybrid king, I'm unsure who is.
