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Dallas Cowboys: The Mysterious Pass Rush

By Daniel Ruppert

May 12, 2017; Frisco, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton (97) works out during rookie minicamp at The Star at Cowboys World Headquarters. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
May 12, 2017; Frisco, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton (97) works out during rookie minicamp at The Star at Cowboys World Headquarters. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Dallas Cowboys have not had a double digit sack player since 2013. The reasons why are more than just not having a “War Daddy”.

Heading into the 2017 NFL Draft one of the top needs for the Dallas Cowboys was bolstering the pass rush. In the first round the Cowboys selected Taco Charlton. Unfortunately, not much was added after that.

They took Joey Ivey and Jordan Carroll in the seventh round, both defensive tackles, neither is a pass rushing expert. So, have the Cowboys done enough to affect the pass rush?

Well, some may point to improving the secondary. Sure, the secondary can help the pass rush, absolutely. However, if a quarterback can wait long enough, no secondary can cover for long periods of time. It takes pressure to force throws. And looking at the statistics, the Cowboys aren’t very good at putting pressure on quarterbacks.

In 2016 the Dallas Cowboys ranked 13th in the league with 36 sacks. While that is in the upper half, there is more to the story. In 2016 the Cowboys ranked 26th in the league in quarterback hurries. They also ranked 20th in the league in sack percentage. Looking at the bigger picture, the Dallas Cowboys don’t get to opposing quarterbacks very often. This will put a strain on any secondary player, it doesn’t matter how good they are.

This season, there are some positives and negatives when looking at the Cowboys pass rush. While no one actually knows what the pass rush will look like until the games are played, we can look at it as of today and make some best guesses. There is still a chance the Cowboys could acquire more players, but as of today, let’s look at the situation.

Positives

  1. Charles Tapper looks to be a legitimate pass rushing threat – After what amounted to a redshirt season due to injury, Charles Tapper is looking quite good in OTAs. Over at the Landry Hat, they have an insider who feel Tapper could take time away from Charlton. Is it true? Well, we don’t know, but all signs do point to Tapper being good.
  2. Taco Charlton vs Tyron Smith – As Rick Flair used to say, “To be the best, you gotta beat the best, whooooo!” Seriously, Smith is the best Left Tackle in the NFL. If Charlton, or anyone else wants to get better, learn to play against Smith. Heck, anyone on the offensive line for that matter.
  3. The Linebackers? – If Jaylon Smith is a go for the season and Sean Lee is, well, Sean Lee, then the Cowboys will have the middle of the field pretty well locked down. This could help the pass rush and the secondary as well. Oh, not to mention the linebackers could be used in the pass rush scheme from time to time.
  4. The Secondary? – Another question mark. Not because of health like the linebackers, but rather, the Cowboys just don’t know what they have yet. If the rookies play well, Jeff Heath improves his coverage, and they mesh well, the secondary could be a huge boost to the pass rush.

Negatives

The Secondary?

– Yet another question mark. The same reason the secondary is a positive it could be a negative. After drafting four rookies, acquiring a veteran from Philly (who could get suspended), and who knows what the health of Scandrick will be, the secondary is full of hope, but maybe not a lot of known quantity. Sure,

Byron Jones

looks fabulous and

Anthony Brown

had a good first year, but not much is really known, if they will improve (looking at you Jeff Heath), or pretty much anything.

More from Dallas Cowboys

  • Randy Gregory – Another season, another suspension. Sure, DeMarcus Lawrence is out there stating he wants a 10-plus sack season and wants to be a Pro Bowl player, but Gregory shows just how delicate that is. Lawrence was suspended for substance abuse as was Gregory. However, this season Gregory is out for the entire season. He was supposed to be a key cog, but you can’t be sitting at home.
  • Taco Charlton – As good as some people think Charlton will be, there are also people who think he is just another rotational player. While none of us know what he will or won’t be, it is a serious consideration. Charlton had one decent season in college which was his senior year. Sure, he improved every year, but one solid year does not always equate to a solid NFL career. Time will tell.
  • “War Daddy” lacking – Regardless of what Taco Charlton becomes, right now most feel he is not a “War Daddy”. There isn’t a proven pass rusher on the defensive line right now. There simply isn’t anyone who has done it for multiple seasons, including in college. It might just be another sending waves after the quarterback season.

    • Next: Dallas Cowboys: What the Cowboys Offense Needs Most

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    While again, none of us know what is going to happen, it looks like the Dallas Cowboys pass rush is still a mystery. It could take a step forward this season, stay about the same, or it could take a step back. It is hard to say. The next few months will go a long way to painting a picture of the 2017 Dallas Cowboys pass rush. For now, it really is a mystery.

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