How Mike Zimmer is Already Impacting Cowboys Draft Plans
By Cem Yolbulan
Just like every team in the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys top brass is at the NFL Scouting Combine, evaluating the prospects they could potentially select in the 2024 NFL Draft. Considering that the Cowboys are financially restricted this offseason due to their salary cap limitations, the draft will be especially important to bring in more talent.
One of the areas of need that they need to address is the front seven on the defensive unit. The Cowboys' defense performed admirably all season last year despite injuries to key players but fell off a cliff against the Green Bay Packers in the playoffs. It is still one of the deepest and most talented units in the league, but there will certainly be changes in scheme and personnel that they will need to get used to.
Dallas lost their defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who took the Washington Commanders' head coaching gig. They brought in Mike Zimmer, one of the most experienced and highly regarded coaches in the league. He is reportedly already making his presence known with his personnel demands.
Cowboys News: Dallas Trying to Bring in More Linebackers
We got a chance to speak to Cowboys VP of Player Personnel Will McClay today who shined some light on the changes new DC Mike Zimmer will be bringing to Dallas.
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisDC) February 29, 2024
"We're going to look more at those bigger bodies inside...he wants to play solid football up front."@nhutchisontv pic.twitter.com/qj8D2rARDK
Cowboys VP of Player Personnel Will McClay said that the team is looking for players who fit Zimmer's new defensive scheme. This starts with linebackers, a clear need for Dallas.
"We are looking for big, athletic football players...We are probably going to look more so at those bigger bodies at the inside, stopping that. We are always looking at linebackers. That is a position that in free agency and in the draft that we are going to have to look at because we want to add more players there."
- Cowboys VP of Player Personnel
This signals a shift from the aggressive, playmaking style of Dan Quinn. Zimmer likely wants to introduce a more consistent scheme that is better against the run.
The Cowboys need to nail their draft selections to get their defense to the next level as they enter an "all-in" season. Dallas currently has the second-best odds in the NFC (+600) to make the Super Bowl next season. Head over to FanDuel Sportsbook, claim your sign-up bonus of $150, and back the Cowboys to win it all.
More Cowboys news and rumors:
feed
Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.