Dallas Cowboys: Did the defensive line improve enough?

The Dallas Cowboys upgraded their defensive line this offseason. That much we can all agree. Not only did they potentially add a starter in free agency (Brent Urban), but they drafted two defensive linemen in the top-100 this year in the draft.

And when you consider they were one of the worst defensive lines in the NFL last year, saying they improved isn’t really saying much at all. So the question we should be asking ourselves is did they improve enough?

The Dallas Cowboys improved their D-line but did they improve it enough?

The Dallas Cowboys boasted (boasted?) one of the worst defensive lines in football last season. Their pressure rate and run stopping grades where embarrassingly low and it had devastating effects on all layers of the defense.

It should be no mystery as to why both Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch performed so poorly last season. The trickledown effect of poor D-line play bled into the play of the linebackers. Jaylon and LVE were repeatedly taking on blocks. They couldn’t trust the D-linemen in front of them to execute their assignments, and they started freelancing and guessing, rather than stick to their responsibilities and execute their own run fits.

Quinn’s Cover-3 also helps in the X’s and O’s department. In the single high scheme, the Cowboys essentially move an extra man into the box.

It’s no coincidence the play of the linebackers declined at the exact same time as the play of the defensive line in front of them. The play of the defensive line and the play of the linebacker corps are directly linked. Much like running backs are at the mercy of the offensive line in front of them, so too are linebackers dependent on the defensive line.

The issue trickles down to the secondary as well. The Dallas Cowboys defensive backs had no faith their big-bodied brethren in front of them would handle business. As such, the secondary was constantly eyeing the backfield, feeling the burden of the D-line’s shortcomings.

So if you want the Jaylon and LVE of 2018, or if you want a secondary that can be trusted, you have to employ a competent defensive line. Again, do the Dallas Cowboys now have that?

To answer in a binary way, I’d say yes.

Much has changed for the Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys fixed a big part of the problem when they brought in Dan Quinn and started reinstalling the Seattle Cover-3. Players resisted the move away from that familiar scheme last season, and seem eager to get back to what they know best. From a mental perspective, this is huge for the defense.

Quinn’s Cover-3 also helps in the X’s and O’s department. In the single high scheme, the Cowboys essentially move an extra man into the box. This allows the defense to load up against the run, evening the numbers game in the box, and run with more 1-gap responsibility in the process. It’s an automatic upgrade even if you have the same personnel.

Speaking of personnel, the Dallas Cowboys quietly made their biggest move of the offseason when they brought in run-stuffing extraordinaire, Brent Urban. Urban, 6-foot-7, 300 lbs., last rated as Pro Football Focus’ No. 3 run stopping DT in the NFL.

Together with rookie Quinton Bohanna, the two will rotate at 1-tech and bare the bulk of the responsibility inside (in regards to run-stopping). The 327lb. NT from Kentucky is a plugger, plain and simple. He’s quick off the line and stout against the run. He has one job to do and he does it well.

The two allow the Dallas Cowboys to rotate and stay fresh. Something they were unable to do last year when they only had Antwaun Woods, who was released just 15 minutes ago.

Joining them on the defensive line are rookies Osa Odighizuwa and Chauncey Golston. Osa, projecting as primarily a 3-tech, will likely rotate with Neville Gallimore inside. The long-armed linemen is well rounded in his skill set and doesn’t pose a liability in any regard. As a former wrestler he understands how to use his gravity to win leverage battles.