The Achilles heel of the Dallas Cowboys' defense in 2023 was its' interior defensive line. Once the Cowboys' inability to stop the run up the middle was exposed, it was game over.
One game into the playoffs, it was season over.
Part of the problem was the lack of production from last year's first-round pick, Mazi Smith.
But not all of the fault settles on Smith's shoulders.
The defensive tackle out of Michigan was asked to drop 30 pounds during camp. Because that's how you plug up the middle, yes?
By putting smaller players in the trenches.
That particular experiment worked out about as well as Napoleon's invasion of Russia.
With the departure of Dan Quinn and his philosophy of “smaller is better” – which extended to playing safeties as undersized linebackers – Smith is likely packing the pounds back on.
He'll need them. Because he will be expected to step up in his second year and produce.
Especially with the departure of Jonathan Hankins in free agency.
Smith seems to be set to be a starting defensive tackle, alongside Osa Odighizuwa. But if he struggles again, Chauncey Golston would see more playing time.
No matter how it shakes out, the Cowboys need to figure out how to keep from getting gashed by running backs up the middle in 2024.
A New Defensive Formation
It remains to be seen how Mike Zimmer will reshape the defense this year. Will Micah Parson be more of a full-time edge rusher?
Or will he be more of a linebacker?
Or will he still be moving around the formation depending on the offensive sets?
That will be what many observers will be looking at during camp out in Oxnard as well as the preseason games.
But having Parsons on one edge and DeMarcus Lawrence on the other seems to be the smart move.
Sam Williams could get moved back to linebacker – especially with the questionable decision to draft Marshawn Kneeland out of Western Michigan in the second round.
But Williams could also fill in on the edge if needed.
Kneeland will likely rotate in as a backup to both Parsons and Lawrence.
We can but hope he doesn't turn into another second-round disappointment like Luke Schoonmaker.
Cowboys Defensive Line Depth Chart
Here is the depth chart as of today based on the Cowboys' current roster:
- LDE – DeMarcus Lawrence, Sam Williams, Durrell Johnson, Byron Vaughns
- DT – Mazi Smith, Justin Rogers, Carl Davis
- DT – Osa Odighizuwa, Chauncey Golston, Denzel Daxon
- RDE – Micah Parsons, Marshawn Kneeland, Viliami Fehoko Jr., Tyrus Wheat
By The Numbers
Among the projected starters on the defensive line, Parsons had the best year.
While he had a career low in tackles with 64, he had a career high in sacks at 14.
He also had a career high in QB Hits with 33.
Let's hope he can draw some holding calls this year after the officials apparently couldn't see him when he was being held in 2023.
Lawrence had lower numbers in 2023 than he did in 2022 – yet he still made the Pro Bowl with them. With Parsons drawing most of the attention, Lawrence can still be a threat.
Odighizuwa had career highs in tackles (46), tackles for loss (9), and QB Hits (13) while recording three sacks.
He could be in for an even bigger season in 2024, especially if Smith steps up.
Smith only started in three games in 2023. He had 13 tackles. Three for a loss, and three QB Hits along with one sack.
The sack was more by accident than his actually putting pressure on the quarterback at that.
In seven of the 17 games, he failed to record a single stat at all.
As mentioned above, his poor season is not even 10% of his fault. The foolish decision to make him drop weight is 100% the reason for his low numbers.
If he beefs back up – and with Zimmer's tutelage guiding him – look for Smith to be the surprise player in Dallas for the 2024 season.
Outside of Williams – who needs to knock off with the stupid penalties at the worst possible time – and Golston the backup defensive linemen are very inexperienced.
Zimmer will have his work cut out for him getting them ready to play should any of the top six fall to injury during the season.
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