3 Cowboys We Need to See More of in Week 2
1. Markquese Bell
When DeMarvion Overshown tore his left ACL last month, the Cowboys were left needing another linebacker to step up and fill the void.
The coaching staff saw second-year pro Markquese Bell as a suitable replacement, but the 24-year-old needed to be converted to the LB position after spending his college football days playing safety.
The thing is that you wouldn't have known Bell was playing a new role with how he performed against the Giants. The Bridgeton, NJ native balled out in his home state as he led Dallas in total tackles (8) and solo efforts (6) while forcing a fumble. He knew where he had to be at all times, looking effective against both the pass and run.
Markquese Bell looked about as natural as one could in the second level on Sunday night.
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisDC) September 11, 2023
Identifying the run early and stuffing it, limiting pass gains on drags across the middle, and laying a hard hat on a couple of occasions.
What a night for the FAMU product.#DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/8iRdH13HYN
The most impressive part of his effort is that Bell accomplished the above while only playing 44% of defensive snaps, ranking behind fellow LBs Leighton Vander Esch (69%) and Damone Clark (66%) as well as Micah Parsons (57%).
After Bell's coming out party, there's no denying that we must see more of him against the Jets. He could be another defensive difference-maker, and the only way to find out if he's legit is through more playing time.
With how dangerous the Jets' attack can be through the sky and on the ground, it'd be in Mike McCarthy's best interest to ride the hot hand by playing Bell for more than half of the game.
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