Enough Dallas Cowboys Negativity! 5 Reasons for Optimism

Now we look at the positives for the Dallas Cowboys on Defense. Notice on this page we will be looking more at each position and referencing more depth, whereas on offense we talked about more individuals.

As we go through these defensive groups, a player not being mentioned does not mean that’s the end of the depth for each group. When you combine top tier talent with quality backups you don’t have A recipe for success, but THE recipe.

THE GOOD WE CAN EXPECT FROM THE DALLAS COWBOYS DEFENSE:

• EDGE

The best part about doing this by group is we get to mention Year Two Micah Parsons again. Though not full time, nor should he be, Parsons can be included in different packages that will drive offenses crazy! His get off, finishing ability and closing speed are already elite.

DeMarcus Lawrence said in late spring he wanted to go after more sacks to keep pace with Parsons. He wouldn’t even have to succeed fully in order for it to be massively impactful. D Law, who always puts pressure on QBs, remains one of the Dallas Cowboys most important players.

Dorance Armstrong is looking to take another step in his development. Five sacks in a part time role is quality depth and at only 25 years old, there’s still room to grow. Though he may be the designated starter, the right defensive end spot could see heavy rotation.

The depth of the Dallas Cowboys on the edge is exciting. Rookie Sam Williams had a great preseason while new addition Dante Fowler flashed against both the run and the pass. Tarell Basham made fun splash plays as well and will be the primary backup to DeMarcus Lawrence as he was a season ago.

• The Pass Rush

The Dallas Cowboys have the potential to be a 50 sack team in 2022. Aside from the aforementioned edge player, there’s also plenty of juice from the defensive tackles. Osa Odighizuwa and Neville Gallimore are ascending players. Anthony Barr also provides help in the pass rush. Factor in a sack from depth players who inevitably collect 1 or 2 over the season and the Cowboys could finish top 5 in pressures and sacks.

• Linebacker room

There’s injury history to consider, along with age, but the addition of Barr took this unit from shaky to sky high potential. Jabril Cox is a 2nd year player coming off injury, but has shown brilliance in the preseason. Leighton Vander Esch has an injury history as well, but also as the 4th linebacker, you could certainly do worse. Jayron Kearse showed his value as a hybrid S/LB. And of course, Year Two Micah Parsons. He’s everywhere.

• Safety room

Jayron Kearse burst on the scene last year and now he’s back. Kearse proved to be one of the Dallas Cowboys most versatile defenders. His tackling ability around the line of scrimmage and length helping to match up with Tight Ends gives the team a unique safety few others in the league have.

The Dallas Cowboys also kept Malik Hooker after he finished strong in 2021. A healthy Donovan Wilson ads more physicality.

The two intriguing youngsters, Israel Mukuamu and Rookie Markquese Bell both had outstanding preseasons and provide the length Dan Quinn so covets. Izzy’s improvement as a tackler allow him to show off his length in coverage. Bell is a natural striker and a piece that somehow fell into the lap of Dan Quinn.

• CB 1 and 2

This is the last of the position players. Trevon Diggs is coming off a historic 2021 season and is looking to continue his growth as a Cornerback. Remember, he only began playing the position well into his Alabama career. If he masters his beloved trail technique any further QBs across the league are in deep trouble.

Anthony Brown may have had the best offseason of any Dallas Cowboy player. Aside from two or three games, Brown was actually outstanding in 2021. Is there still room for him to get better? It appears so. Brown has become one of the Dallas Cowboys most underappreciated players. Which is why he has such a chip on his shoulder.

• Finally – Dan Quinn

The transformation from 2020 to 2021 for the Dallas Cowboys defense is a true marvel. They went from other worldly bad to a turnover machine. Quinn has proven to be one of the best player friendly coaches in the league and a Cover 3 mastermind. Despite the perception that the Dallas Cowboys had a poor offseason, they actually provided Quinn with some interesting new pieces to play with (Fowler, Barr, Bell). There’s also one other thing he gets to deploy. Year Two Micah Parsons!

There you have it. More sunshine on the horizon as the Dallas Cowboys prepare for week 1 of the NFL Season against the Tampa Bay Bucs.

There are concerns and this team isn’t perfect. The Offensive Line is a glaring hole as of now. However, look at the massive amount of positives we have to look forward to! We could be looking at a team with a whole new identity. One that wins by hanging its hat on defense while still having the firepower on offense to go up and down the field and light up the night’s sky.