It is no secret that the Dallas Cowboys have been atrocious on defense this season, despite possessing the second-most points per game on offense (31.7). A 44-22 win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday, though, was a huge step in the right direction with two turnovers, including a pick-six from Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland in the third quarter.
Another positive development has been the high upside that rookie linebacker Shemar James continues to show (h/t @MauNFL). For a team that is in the middle of the pack with 15 sacks this season, Brandon Loree of Blogging The Boys was impressed by James' ability to get to Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels in 2.28 seconds on Sunday, which was the third-fastest recorded sack of the season, according to NFL NextGen Stats.
It is still early in James' career, but he has ascended ahead of LB Jack Sanborn, who was not deployed at all in Sunday's game, and continues to use his quickness and ability to create pressure to run away with a start job.
Shemar James Is a Clear Starter After 4 Games with Cowboys
James has injected some life into a Cowboys defense that is allowing the third-most points per game (29.4). Although his overall Pro Football Focus grade is 55.7 (103rd out of 145 qualified LBs), his 86.1 tackling and 72.2 pass rush grades rank third and 23rd, respectively, which speaks to his play-making ability and tenacity when he has been on the field. He's also up to:
- 27 Tackles (45th)
- 4 Pressures (T-38th)
- 2.9% Missed Tackle Rate (3rd among LBs who attempted at least 20)
In addition to Sanborn's struggles, defensive end Sam Williams has failed to live up to expectations, receiving his lowest PFF grade (37.2) of the season against the Commanders. As explosive as the Dallas offense has been with Dak Prescott leading the charge with the likes of CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and Javonte Williams making noise, inconsistent play from the Cowboys' defense has made it difficult to win each week.
The Cowboys' team-wide struggles aside, James has been sensational so far in limited starts. The ex-Florida Gator has been a bright spot amid the dark defensive times, and continuing to bolster his snap count might be key to the defense getting back on track.
If the rest of the defense can resemble what the rookie linebacker is bringing to the field, Dallas will be in a good spot as far as the playoff race is concerned.