The performance of the 2021 Dallas Cowboys defensive line is going to be the biggest factor in determining whether or not the defense will dramatically improve from 2020. The Cowboys struggled mightily last season in both generating pressure and stopping the run. While scheme, fit, and personnel were part of the problem, the inadequacies of the interior defensive line is what mostly contributed to the historically bad performance. The Cowboys hope they have addressed those inadequacies in free agency, the draft, and in hiring a defensive line guru in new defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Starting with the interior defensive line, the Cowboys have added a mix of youth and experience along with a couple of returning young players to address what many considered their biggest weakness last season. The Cowboys spent significant draft capital on Trysten Hill and Neville Gallimore in the previous two seasons and hope to get a return on their investment. Hill was a product of the Rod Marinelli era and after struggling his 2019 rookie season, he did show some promise last year before an injury ended his season. Hill is still recovering and there is a possibility that he doesn’t crack the 53 man roster. Neville Gallimore was poised to step up this season to start at the 3-tech position but a dislocated elbow in the pre-season game against the Cardinals will keep him out for 4-6 weeks. Free agent acquisitions Carlos Watkins and Brent Urban were brought in to help solidify the run defense and both are versatile players that can play multiple spots on the defensive line. Rookies Osa Odighizuwa and Quinton Bohanna have both been really impressive in the pre-season, which is encouraging for 2021 and beyond. Veteran Justin Hamilton has also looked pretty good up to this point and he has a chance to make the team with the injuries and COVID protocals depleting the depth chart. Regardless of who the Cowboys do select on their final roster, there will be a heavy rotation and every man will have to contribute to improve the defensive line.
DEFENSIVE END
The Dallas Cowboys defensive line features several players that could contribute on the interior as well as on the edge and the current group of defensive ends will be expected to do just that. The expected starters are DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory. Lawrence has caught a lot of slack the past couple seasons from some Cowboys fans because his sack totals have diminished right after he signed his big contract. Despite his critics, D-Law remains the best defensive lineman on the roster as well as the leader and heart and soul of the defense. Meanwhile, talented pass rusher Randy Gregory is on the verge of a breakout campaign enjoying his first full offseason since his rookie year. Aside from those two, returning players Dorance Armstrong, Bradlee Anae, and Ron’Dell Carter are all fighting to make the 53 man roster. Armstrong is the clear favorite among that group. He has had a strong camp and played well in the pre-season. Bradlee Anae has not had many opportunities to shine but he has still managed to show something of late. Anae has many supporters among Cowboys Nation after being one of the darlings of the Cowboys 2020 draft class. The Cowboys also brought in Tarrell Basham in free agency. Basham was having a good camp before suffering an injury that could now jeopardise his chances to make the team with the stiff competition at the position. Third round draft pick Chauncey Golston is also at risk of missing out if he isn’t placed on IR. Golston was a highly touted draft pick but he has missed all of training camp with a hamstring injury.
The Dallas Cowboys defensive line will be a lot younger in 2021 than it was to start 2020 and Cowboy fans are hoping a lot hungrier as well. There are not many studs among them, but their strength is in their numbers and in their versatility. They will have high expectations placed upon them thanks to the hiring of Dan Quinn, but I firmly believe that they are up for the challenge.
*Photo by Joe Glorioso https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/legalcode
Great analysis brother