Please wait until Tuesday, April 16th
Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence put the Dallas Cowboys in an elite situation at the top of the defensive end tier, but free agency departures create the need for the 2024 NFL Draft.
FRISCO, TEXAS — As the seconds tick by and the 2024 NFL Draft continues to move towards the Dallas Cowboys, they have several positions that need to be addressed with their current seven picks, and by the draft. It is likely that the number of nominations will be increased by one or two times. The event is in the book.
While not as concerning as positions like linebacker, offensive line, and running back, the reality of what the Cowboys lost in free agency at defensive end cannot be ignored.
Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler followed Dan Quinn to the Washington Commanders, but this is a lot of firepower in the rotation (and special teams) that needs to replace Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence. It is.
In our new series, “High Low,” we'll be digging deeper into this, with each edition focusing on a different position group heading into draft week.
Odds: High
Micah Parsons: We talked briefly about Parsons in the linebacker corner this series, and it's no secret that he's the Cowboys' definitive pass rusher. That means he could continue to be counted primarily in the EDGE group to bookend the defensive line opposite DeMarcus Lawrence. Parsons racked up a league-leading 99 quarterback pressures (actually more if you extrapolate the held penalty that wasn't called) and a career-high in sacks (14) (an unrealistic 40.5). He is full of energy after the 2023 season in which he recorded a record He had a sack in just three seasons. Any attempt to relegate him to primarily off-ball duties would be a criminal act.
demarcus lawrence: Lawrence has proven time and time again that he is timeless at his level of play. The 31-year-old is now a four-time Pro Bowler, winning the honor again in both 2022 and 2023, and shows no signs of slowing down. He's also one of the best run defenders off the edge in the entire NFL, a skill that's hard to find in a dominant pass rusher. He continues to be a great complement to what Parsons brings to the table.
Sam Williams: This is the point in the depth chart where question marks start to pop up right away, and while there aren't any question marks about Lawrence (the questions center around the fact that he will need another contract extension soon) However, this is a departure from both parties.Fowler and Large Armstrong looms are woven here. Williams has incredible talent on the cutting edge, but he still feels raw and in need of refinement. And that's especially true when tallying up his number of penalties, which sometimes swing games in the wrong direction. Heading into a pivotal third year, Williams will be expected to be a breakout player.
Junior Fehoko, Darrell Johnson: Fehoko's first year in the NFL faced the harsh reality of how difficult it would be to earn game snaps since he hadn't been on the field even once in 2023, but the truth is that he certainly has more than a skill set and It has an elite motor. The Cowboys will at least try to tweak him next season to develop him into an impactful rotation talent. And his ability to play both inside and on the edge bodes well for him. Johnson, who joined the club as an undrafted free agent last year, has an even steeper hill to climb, but his presence provides depth and an insurance opportunity upon his departure.
You've got to love what the Cowboys have at the top of their defensive end depth, to say the least, but if Dallas is to avoid using a 2024 draft pick at the position, it's going to take a lot of work below the top two spots. Too many questions to answer at the moment can make you a latecomer.
