I think a lot of people are sleeping on this Cowboys pass rush. I’m not going to be crazy and say they will lead the league, but the low-40s in sacks feels like selling them short.
If I had to put a number on this group it would be 52 sacks. Yes, that may be a little bit optimistic. OK, that’s a lot of optimism, but I think this number is not only about the guys rushing the quarterback. It’s about all the coaches that have been assembled around them.
Let me explain before you try to put me out to pasture in the comments.
The Cowboys Pass Rush Has More Help
I bet you thought this would be all about the players. I told you earlier it’s not only about the guys getting after the quarterback.
Christian Parker is installing structure, Marcus Dixon is getting the defensive line room in order, and BT Jordan gives the rushers another set of eyes on handwork, counters, and all the little things that finish plays.
I’m all about a quarterback pressure, but sacks get you off the field. Before BT Jordan arrived in Denver, that defense had 42 team sacks. His first season there, they jumped to 63. I can’t say that’s all on him, but a 21-sack jump is a 21-sack jump.
Dallas has enough combined youth and veterans to make an interesting dynamic and, with the coaching in place, it could be a game changer.
The Veterans:
- Rashan Gary
- Sam Williams
- James Houston
- Marist Liufau
- Charles Snowden
The Youth:
- Donovan Ezeiruaku
- Malachi Lawrence
- LT Overton
All these guys bring something different to the pass rush table. I haven’t even got to the big boys yet in Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark, who will be big defensive ends and inside, rotating from one side to the other.
This cannot be another season of “I hope the edge guys win” football. We’ve seen that movie and it doesn’t sell tickets.
The 3-4 Piece Is Where This Gets Fun
This isn’t going to just be four defensive ends putting their hands in the dirt and running up field hoping speed can overcome a lack of strength.
In Parker’s 3-4 looks, several of these guys are going to be outside linebackers where their speed matters more, and that changes the picture.
When you have stand-up pass rushers, they can come from wider angles, walk around before the snap, switch sides, and drop just enough to make the quarterback hesitate. I will take that half-second because that’s where sacks show up.
Rashan Gary has the veteran know how to be the closer. Ezeiruaku can rush from space. Sam Williams can use his burst to get around the edge with a head start. Lawrence can get package snaps until he gets up to speed.
I like the waves of pass rushers the Cowboys are about to deploy next year.
Rashan Gary Is Still the Safest Bet For Sack Leader
I like Rashan Gary to lead the team with 12 sacks. He’s a veteran, he stays healthy, and he should get the best chances to close with all the youngsters around him.
He doesn’t have to carry the room, but having veteran pass rush knowledge always helps when it comes down to intricate details.
If he finishes the plays that I think will be waiting for him. He will have the most sacks on the team.
Sam Williams Has to Be in This Conversation
Having Sam Williams as an outside linebacker will unleash a new player. I have him at 8 sacks, and that number could increase if he gets more snaps than last season.
Sam Williams is more of a speed rusher and giving him room to pick up speed before getting to the tackles will create some havoc. Not to mention the better angles he will have coming from out wide.
I don’t think he has to be the top guy, but he has the tools to lead this team in sacks and become a good pass rusher for this team.
The Sack Prediction
I’m giving Ezeiruaku 7 sacks and if he stays healthy and doesn’t get overloaded, that number could easily get into the double digits. This kid is oozing talent and if Jordan helps clean up his counters and finishing pass rush moves. The sky’s the limit.
Malachi Lawrence at 5 sacks may be overselling him, but I like the talent he is coming into the NFL with. We all know rookie pass rushers can be streaky, and the bad comes with the good, but sacks are sacks and he will get his.
Then give me Quinnen Williams at 6, James Houston at 4, Kenny Clark at 3, Overshown at 2, Caleb Downs at 1, and Marist Liufau with 1, and another 3 from the rest of the team.
That gets Dallas to 52 sacks.
There’s enough there for everyone and those numbers could be higher. I just want more to show up on Sundays this season.
The offseason is an easy place to get fired up, but when the real games start, we will find out who’s ready to go to battle.
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