Dallas Cowboys: Is this the strongest defensive unit in the last 10 years?

The Dallas Cowboys defense could be the best it has been in years. Let’s take a look at the reasons why this unit should be so productive in 2018.

Just from looking at the Dallas Cowboys defense during the 2018 preseason, we can see a marked improvement on the way the unit has performed on the field. In 2017 the pass rush returned to Dallas as DeMarcus Lawrence finished second in the NFL in sacks.

This year the linebacking corps could be the brightest unit to shine defensively as first-round pick Leighton Vander Esch looks worthy of his lofty draft selection. Let’s take a look at why the Dallas Cowboys defensive unit will have their best season in recent memory.

New and improved linebacking corps

The Dallas Cowboys have had some pedestrian linebackers over the last few seasons, however, coaching has brought out the best traits from these guys. Rolando McClain, Bruce Carter, and Anthony Hitchens (who is actually a pretty solid player but not worth his current contract) have all shined in this defense.

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So it is only fitting that the Cowboys invested in the position hoping to finally see a return. Now, after all this time, the team finally has three players that could become megastars. Jaylon Smith is finally fully healthy, Sean Lee is also fresh and healthy, and Leighton Vander Esch is an elite prospect who has gotten comparisons to NFL Hall of Famers.

When all three are on the field, this defensive unit gets a tremendous boost. Smith especially looks like a completely different player. I have not seen a linebacker for the Cowboys, hit that violently and move that fast in at least 20 years. Smith should be in line for Comeback Player of the Year if not the Defensive Player of the Year award.

LVE moves from one side of the field to the other in an instant. He is one of the fastest linebackers on this roster and quite possibly in football. He also has pretty potent coverage skills that should allow him to make plays with both his hands and his strength. Finally what else is there to say about Sean Lee?

He has been the Cowboys best defensive player for several years now and continues to make problems for opposing offenses. He is the heartbeat of this football team and will easily lead this defense into the season. When you factor in that the addition of Joe Thomas and Justin March-Lillard have given the team a ton of depth at the position this linebacking corps has never looked better.

Lillard and Thomas both would be starting if not for the three names mentioned above and have looked prolific in both run stopping and pass coverage. Damien Wilson has also made tremendous strides in becoming a productive player for this defense and looks every bit the part a starter in this league. The Dallas Cowboys linebacking corps could be the strongest unit of all by the time we reach the end of the regular season.

A prolific pass rush

While David Irving may miss the first four games of the regular season the Dallas Cowboys have fully moved on and may be better off for it. Tyrone Crawford will get the start at right defensive end and has looked fantastic in run support.

While he could be better at rushing the passer, Lawrence, Taco Charlton, and rookie Dorance Armstrong have looked otherworldly at getting to the quarterback. Armstrong, in particular, looks smooth, powerful, and dangerous.

No one along the Dallas Cowboys offensive line (prior to the injuries) could block Lawrence regularly and that is not changing anytime soon. While Kony Ealy has not impressed as much as previously thought Jihad Ward, Brian Price, and Antwan Woods have jumped off of the page as players who could become more than just depth guys.

Ward, in particular, should get the start while Irving is out and could keep the job after he returns. The Cowboys pass rush is also helped by the fact that the linebacking corps is so strong this season and can provide extra pressure if needed.

The Cowboys may have found their “War Daddy” in Lawrence and possibly a few others along the way, expect this defense to be more productive than ever before.

Bottom line the Dallas Cowboys defense should be able to make an impact right from the start as they will have a favorable matchup against a Carolina Panthers team that has lost a couple of their starters along the offensive line.

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Published on 08/25/2018 at 23:06 PM
Last updated at 08/25/2018 at 23:06 PM

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