NFL teams, like the Dallas Cowboys, make adjustments to the rosters weekly to fit the scheme they're deploying and to gain a competitive advantage.
Unfortunately, injuries may have forced teams to look at players with “position flexibility” to fill an unexpected hole.
You can label it a strategic mindset or just plain dumb luck. In either case, teams will identify those players and create additional capacity.
Could that be the case for Dallas? Possibly.
As fans await the showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles, players on this roster will show their worth more than ever.
It may force coaches to keep them at their reshuffled spots for the long haul.
Not a position change, but his adjustment as a wide receiver is causing havoc
Hear me out on this one.
Yes, CeeDee Lamb is a wide receiver, so a position change category sounds stupid. Right?
Absolutely.
However, what's not insane is the numbers supporting the fact that when the Dallas Cowboys coaching staff moves Lamb out of their comfort zone, he is a totally different player.
Last season, Lamb saw a substantial increase in slot snaps of 62.5% compared to 42.4% in 2021, according to Pro Football Focus.
This season, it was more of the same as a slot receiver, at least early on.
Week 1 against the New York Giants, he played 76.9% of his snaps in the slot. Technically, his playing in the X or Z position was optional. However, as the season progressed, Dallas needed his flexibility.
Over the last four weeks, CeeDee has spent more time on the outside versus the slot.
From weeks 3 to 8, there was a 16% decrease in snaps in the slot.
Coincidentally, two of his best three games this season were when he pulled his defender to the deep end on the outside.
Eighty-Ate:
CeeDee Lamb has been feasting upon defenses since his Week 5 frustration, but the next major test awaits the #Cowboys offense in Week 9 vs. PHI.
No overhype. All focus.
‘Just being composed. I'm ready.'
✍🏾 https://t.co/5A0i2LSMdO pic.twitter.com/Z1gMYw0JRh
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) November 3, 2023
His biggest asset is his variability as a receiver. He should never be stuck in the slot like a Wes Welker or Cole Beasley.
He's clearly more than that.
Playing in the slot should be to create more flexibility within the offense and more ways to get Lamb the ball.
So, while it may be a partial position switch, CeeDee Lamb playing in a more conventional outside receiver role may stick long-term.
Tyler has the talent to play tackle, but he's on track to be an All-Pro interior player
It gets much easier from this point.
Tyler Smith playing the left guard position is the most straightforward argument to make on someone who should stay in their new assignment.
Currently, he is rated as the top left guard in the NFL.
Anyone watching the Dallas Cowboys knows it is much more than a numbers game. This kid is a mauler in every sense of the word.
This isn't overreaction Saturday or anything like that. We're accustomed to Aaron Donald politely moving away from Zack Martin and causing heartburn on the left side of the line.
Not anymore.
Cannot tell you how impressed I was by Tyler Smith's performance in pass protection, especially against the All-Universe Aaron Donald.
On 13 snaps against Donald in pass protection, Smith only gave up 1 pressure.
Huge key for Smith was how quick he was getting out of his…
— John Owning (@JohnOwning) October 30, 2023
There is a massive test coming up on Sunday. Fletcher Cox, Jordan Davis, and Jalen Carter can cause issues.
Personally, I have felt better about the interior of Dallas' offensive line than I have in a long time, and this time it's not just about Martin.
There is an excellent chance that Tyler Smith has seen his last snap at the left tackle.
I wouldn't be shocked if Dallas looked for a tackle in the 2024 NFL Draft to pair with Tyler.
Regardless of what the future holds, all information is pointing to Smith dominating the interiors, not about to change.
DeMarvion Overshown may have a partner in crime once healthy during next season
The chances of the safety-to-linebacker changes being sustainable hinges on the status of Defensive Coordinator Dan Quinn.
Will he stay, or will he go? That's the million-dollar question.
He has deployed hybrid roles within his defense mainly because of injuries. Markquese Bell is currently filling in for 3rd-round pick DeMarvion Overshown.
There was good that came from Overshown's injuries – the coaching staff could see what Bell has been able to do.
He's been able to collect 26 solo tackles throughout the season.
🚨ALERT🚨#Cowboys LB Markquese Bell is officially @PFF's No. 1 graded linebacker after eight weeks (90.0)
What a season he's had after making the transition to linebacker in August.
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) October 30, 2023
Is this sustainable? Is it possible he hasn't done it long enough to justify this type of attention?
I'll give you a big, fat maybe.
On this team, I don't see a path back to the safety spot. Bell is outplaying the linebacker role, plain and simple. Against the Eagles, neutralizing D'Andre Swift is going to be the priority for him.
Slowing him down will solidify his role as a linebacker on this team.
While next year has its uncertainties (Overshown's return and Quinn's status), we do know he has exceeded the front office, coaching staff, and fans' expectations.
That's what matters, and it will keep him as a linebacker.
