Dallas Cowboys: Pass rush depth needs answers

The Dallas Cowboys over the past few years has had trouble consistently getting to the quarterback. The only player to really be consistent getting pressure has been DeMarcus Lawrence. Randy Gregory has shown some ability as well, but that is when he is actually on the field, which should be more often in 2021. The team has brought in some guys over the past few years to help, but most of the work still fell upon Lawrence.

Teams have decided to focus on Lawrence and the Cowboys have been unable to adjust and provide more help. Going back to watch the Cowboys play, a lot of the sacks and pressure have been because Lawrence has forced quarterbacks to step into another player. Gregory has been the hope on the other side and with a rule change regarding marijuana, Gregory should be available for an entire season.

The question for the Dallas Cowboys isn’t really Randy Gregory and Demarcus Lawrence, it’s what’s behind them.

We have all heard that the Cowboys want to use Micah Parsons as an edge, but how much and in what role is still an unknown. Should Lawrence and Gregory have to take some time off, pass rush depth should be a huge question at this time? With very little proven pass-rush depth behind them, the Cowboys could choose to blitz more, or hopefully, someone will develop and step up.

Looking at defensive end depth the most prolific pass rusher that has played meaningful NFL snaps is Terrell Basham with 7.5 sacks in his career and a 3.5 sack 2020. Carlos Watkins, Brent Urban (who many feels will be a defensive tackle), and Dorance Armstrong are not really meant to be pass rush specialists but run stoppers. That leaves two young players to prove they can be the pass rush depth.

Bradlee Anae and rookie Chauncey Golston are the two players the Cowboys will need to step up. Anae did not play more than a handful of snaps in 2020, with rumors that he was a scout pick and not a coach pick. This left Anae on the sidelines as the coaches refused to play him or how the story goes. Anae had 13 sacks in his final year at college and was seen as a viable pass-rushing defensive end for a team that needed help. Golston had 5.5 sacks in his final year of college and was ascending as a defensive end.