Dallas Cowboys: The Most Important Position to Address

There is one specific position the Dallas Cowboys need to address this offseason and it happens to be one of the hardest to find.

Few will debate that finding a pass-rusher is of utmost importance this offseason. Rod Marinelli’s “orphan” defensive line did well in their committee approach in the regular season. But in the postseason, when facing better offensive lines, they struggled.

Without a dominant rusher to lean on, the Dallas Cowboys wrestled finding the right personnel when pressure was needed the most. So, it’s certainly no surprise that searching for a dominant pass-rusher leads the offseason to-do list once again.

But while the Dallas Cowboys will take pass-rush help anywhere they can get it, one specific position of need stands out above the rest: right defensive end.

Aside from franchise quarterbacks, dominant double-digit right defensive ends are perhaps the NFL’s most important AND most difficult to find position.

Four years ago the Dallas Cowboys sent DeMarcus Ware and his $16M price tag packing. Given their salary cap situation, it was the only thing they could do. Years of mismanagement caught up with them and Ware had become both overpriced and a legitimate injury concern.

So DeMarcus Ware left and the Dallas Cowboys went hunting… hunting for the next great right defensive end. Four years later and they are still hunting.

The Right Defensive End

Right defensive ends (RDE) line up over the offense’s left tackle. Since LTs usually protect their quarterback’s blindside, they’re considered the most important (and usually most skilled) linemen on the offense.

On most defenses the RDE has more pass-rush responsibility than run responsibility. While the left defensive end faces more run situations, the RDE attacks the backfield with unbridled lust. Finding a quick-twitch player capable of filling this role is rare. He needs uncommon burst and speed. He needs strength and technique to beat left tackles and he needs a respectable inside (or counter) move to keep LTs on their heels.

If a team finds a strong RDE capable of challenging the NFL’s premier LTs, it provides a trickledown effect to the rest of the line. The LDE and undertackle suddenly find themselves in one-on-one situations and pressure starts coming from everywhere. But it’s all predicated on having that dominant RDE.

RDEs on the Roster

Three years ago the Dallas Cowboys thought they found a RDE when they moved up in the second round to select Boise State’s DeMarcus Lawrence #34 overall. Lawrence was seen as only one of three players capable of playing the right edge in the 2014 Draft. But with only nine sacks in three seasons, it’s hard to be too hopeful about the man known as “Tank”.

Two seasons ago the Dallas Cowboys thought they found one again when the selected the free-falling Randy Gregory #60 in the draft. A blue-chip talent with well-noted drug issues appeared to be the RDE they were hoping for the moment he took the practice field. He was so good the Cowboys moved Lawrence to the left side.

Alas those well-noted drug issues caught up with him with mind-blowing efficiency, and now after already serving 14 games to suspension, Gregory will be banished for the 2017 season.

After going 0 for 2, the Dallas Cowboys turned to Will McClay to dig up an underappreciated professional they could sign on the cheap. Benson Mayowa from the Oakland Raiders met the criteria. After a painfully slow start in 2016, Mayowa produced down the stretch, collecting four sacks in his last five games. But with only 6.5 sacks on the season, Mayowa is hardly the answer to the Cowboys prayers as they search for their prized double-digit sack man.

The Dallas Cowboys have a roster full of young talent yet to reach their potential. David Irving looked like a beast at times last season and currently provides the greatest hope to Cowboys Nation. But injuries kept him from contributing on the right side in 2016 and given his size and style, many believe he’s better suited for 3-technique defensive tackle or as a left defensive end (I’m in the camp that believes he should stay on the move to exploit mismatches).

Tyrone Crawford is a converted DE turned DT turned back DE. What he plays in 2017 and beyond is unclear but it’s abundantly clear today is he’s not RDE material. Charles Tapper is a 5-technique DE that redshirted his rookie season. Since we haven’t seen him play at NFL speed we can’t say where he fits definitively but most confidently peg him as a LDE.

Of the players discussed, DeMarcus Lawrence and Benson Mayowa figure to be the best options to start at RDE. With the Dallas Cowboys on the cusp of Super Bowl contention, it’s far too risky of a gamble to simply roll the dice and hope that Mayowa improves on his 6.5 sacks from 2016 and/or Lawrence bounces back from his pathetic 1 sack season.

The Dallas Cowboys need to target this position both in free agency (gonna need to get creative with limited funds available) AND in the NFL Draft. They can’t give up on their internal candidates but they can’t rely on them either. It’s that important.

Next: Why It's Time to Bring DeMarcus Ware Back

Aside from franchise quarterbacks, dominant double-digit right defensive ends are perhaps the NFL’s most important AND most difficult to find position. That’s why the Dallas Cowboys can leave no rock unturned in their search for the next great RDE.

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