DALLAS — One of the reasons that the Dallas Cowboys have won 12 games in three consecutive seasons is because of a marked improvement on defense during this decade. Despite remaining rough against the run, their ability to put pressure on the quarterback and force turnovers turned them into one of the best defenses in the NFL during Dan Quinn’s tenure.
However, with Quinn taking over the head coaching job in Washington, it’s time for a new era for the unit under new coordinator Mike Zimmer. The veteran coach has had good defenses at every stop during his 30 years in the league – including as a Super Bowl-winning coach for Dallas previously – and takes over a group that has three All-Pro defenders in their primes, veteran leaders who are still producing, and a young core that could help the defense be better overall.
Zimmer’s defense should be more disciplined than his predecessor, which will be a welcomed change. But it remains to be seen if Zimmer can replicate Quinn’s success. It’s now up to the new DC to get the playmakers to continue to make plays, and to coach up some of the younger guys.
The development of 2023 first-round defensive tackle Mazi Smith, a stable of inexperienced linebackers and some youth in the secondary are all going to be key in determining the effectiveness of the defense under Zimmer.
More needed from the trenches of DL
The Cowboys have one of the best pair of bookends in the league with All-World pass rusher Micah Parsons and perhaps the top two-way defensive end in the game in DeMarcus Lawrence. Parsons has led the team in sacks and pressures in each of his first three seasons, and he could be even better under Zimmer with an updated scheme. He’s stayed away from offseason workouts, but there’s little doubt that Parsons will continue to thrive as one of the NFL’s best defensive players.
There’s still a need for more depth on the edges, however, with only Sam Williams as a known quality. The hope is that a young DE like second-year man Viliami Fehoko or rookie Marshawn Kneeland can replace what the defense lost in free agency and improve the production overall.
It’s on the interior of the defensive line that Zimmer will have the arduous task of improving. The inside lost its best run stuffer in Jonathan Hankins and will now turn over to second-year DT Smith, who struggled as a rookie. Smith’s progress has been affected by an offseason shoulder surgery, but the good news is that he’ll be playing more of a familiar role under Zimmer.
The defense needs the young DT to show the potential that made him a first-round pick and Zimmer is aiming to get his career on track.
Osa Odighizuwa returns as the best DT on the roster after his best season in 2023 and is heading into a contract year. There isn’t much depth or skill after the starters on the inside of the DL. Veterans Carl Davis and Chauncey Golston are the backups, and the team drafted Justin Rogers in the seventh round this past April.
That’s an awfully thin group that already underperformed last season. If Smith isn’t up to the task in his sophomore season, the Dallas defense could be in trouble. The defensive line has the look of one of the biggest weak spots for the Cowboys and a prime reason for concern.
LB has a leader to guide young options
At linebacker, the Cowboys started the offseason light at the position, but the signing of veteran Eric Kendricks and third-round selection of Marist Liufau beefed up the group. Kendricks’ familiarity with Zimmer and his system from their days together in Minnesota should help a young group of LBs who are all 24-years old or younger.
Damone Clark has started 22 games over the last two years and looks like he’ll be moving to a more natural place as a weak side LB. He led the team in tackles last season but had little impact on the defense when it came to making plays.
DeMarvion Overshown, a 2023 third-rounder who missed all of his rookie season with a torn ACL, is on track to return and compete with Clark and Liufau for playing time. The team was high on Overshown’s potential before the injury, but he’ll need some time to get back up to speed. Liufau seems like a selection that the Cowboys won’t want to miss on and could be in line to be a starter.
Last year’s starter Markquese Bell is headed back to his more natural position at safety after spending most of 2023 at LB out of necessity.
The linebacker position is a unit that basically replaced retiring Leighton Vander Esch with Kendricks, a more durable player, and hopes that youth elsewhere will be an asset. Clark, Liufau and Overshown are the future at LB, but they’ll need to be able to contribute right away.
Secondary in good hands
Over the past three seasons, Dallas’ secondary has been one of the best in the league at taking the ball away. Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland are a pair of All-Pro CBs who led the NFL in interceptions in 2021 and 2023 respectively. Last year, Bland’s five pick-sixes set a league record and now the Cowboys get Diggs back after missing 15 games due to an ACL injury.
There isn’t another team with a better tandem of playmakers at Corner than the duo of Bland and Diggs. Adding Jourdan Lewis back to the mix at slot CB gives Zimmer depth at the position, and the makings of a solid trio for Dallas.
After that, things can get dicey on the outside. The hope is that one of the next three young corners can work their way into becoming quality players. Nahshon Wright, Eric Scott, and rookie Caelen Carson will be a group to watch at training camp. The team also just signed veteran Gareon Conley, who was a first-round pick of the Las Vegas Raiders in 2017.
With former Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore out after just one year in Dallas, someone needs to step up because, as the old saying goes, you can never have enough corners and Dallas is an injury to one of the top three CBs away from being in trouble.
At safety, the Cowboys have a strong starting tandem, with the youth behind them to make it a position of strength. Donovan Wilson and Malik Hooker return to lead the way, but the trio of Bell, Israel Mukuamu, and Juanyeh Thomas provide incredible depth.
Hooker continues to be a reliable safety who is good against the run and pass, while Wilson remains an enforcer who can play near the line of scrimmage and was third on the team in tackles in 2023 with 88. It’s a solid duo and Wilson could benefit from the change in defensive coordinator.
The wild cards are the youngsters. Bell was second on the team in tackles last season, but he was playing out of position as a LB. The team loves his flexibility and a return to his natural spot could be a boon. With four passes defenses and three tackles for a loss, Bell displayed a versatility that makes him valuable.
Mukuamu and Thomas are young safeties who have both made some splash plays that showcase their abilities. Thomas had a big preseason last year and found a role on special teams to keep him on the roster. A blocked kick that resulted in a touchdown in the 2023 season opener came courtesy of Thomas, and he earned more snaps on defense as the season wore on.
In 2022, Mukuamu also made an impression late in the year as someone who could play some CB as well as safety, so his versatility was a plus. Between Bell, Mukuamu, and Thomas, the Cowboys have a deep group of young safeties who have the potential to turn into starters. Few teams have the depth and quality at safety that Dallas does, a massive change from last decade.
Do you think Mike Zimmer will be able to replicate the success that Dan Quinn brought to the defense? Share your thoughts with Ben on X (formerly Twitter) @BenGrimaldi.
