Rob Carr/Getty Images
The 2023 Cowboys‘ defense is shaping up to to be one of the best in the league, even before the draft. The front office has been busy handing out contracts by means of restructuring or re-signing key players. It’s been uncharacteristically busy for them since their off-season began.
LDE – Demarcus Lawrence, Sam Williams
Grade: A
Demarcus Lawrence is a key component in the Cowboys’ defense. He doesn’t put up the sack numbers he once did, and it was never really his focus as a player. Lawrence plays smart football and has the very important job of edge contain and stopping the run. He hasn’t forgotten how to get after the quarterback.
Sam Williams was a second-round selection out of Ole Miss. He’s an explosive young player who is learning from one of the best in the game. As a rookie playing a backup role, he still put up four sacks. There’s a lot of excitement for his future in the league.
LDT – Osa Odighizuwa, Johnathan Hankins
Grade: B+
Osa Odighizuwa was PFF’s most improved player for the Cowboys. The analysts seem proud of their abilities to pronounce his last name, and their voices fill up with excitement when he makes a big play. He seemed to always be in there when they needed a stop last season.
Johnathan Hankins is a big veteran lineman heading into the tail end of his career. Even while filling the role of a traditional one-technique he’s still capable of bringing the pain to the opposing quarterback. The Cowboys re-signed Hankins in March and are expecting him to add solid rotational depth.
RDT – Neville Gallimore, Quinton Bohanna
Grade: C
Neville Gallimore is a hybrid type of a defensive tackle who’s in for a make it or break it season. He’s in the last season of his contract, and as is typical of players in a contract year we’re expecting to see a surge in his performance. Gallimore never really lived up to his potential as a third-round pick in the 2020 draft.
Quinton Bohanna was a selected in round six of the 2021 draft. He was an early fan favorite in the Cowboys quest to find the run stopper they desperately needed. For his size he is as lowkey as he can get. He’s a 6’4, 340 lbs. mass of pure one-tech.
RDE – Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler
Grade: B-
Dorance Armstrong was a fourth-round selection in the 2018 draft. With all the attention on the star players, Armstrong often goes unnoticed in the mix. But at 6’3, 270 lbs. it’s not a great idea to forget about him. The Cowboys thought enough of his performance to re-sign him to a two-year extension last season.
Dante Fowler was a former third overall selection for the Jaguars in 2015. He didn’t perform up to his billing in Jacksonville and his best year was with the Rams for 11.5 sacks. He had a resurgence with the Cowboys last season for six sacks and it looks like his career may be back on track. The Cowboys re-signed him to a one-year deal.
WLB – Jabril Cox
Grade: C+
Jabril Cox was selected in the fourth round of the 2021 draft. During his rookie season he tore his ACL in week seven. He’s mainly been limited to special teams and has yet to put up any meaningful numbers. Cowboys Nation is waiting not so patiently to see what he can do.
Devante Bond was just cut on Monday. The Cowboys may very well be looking for his replacement in the draft.
MLB – Leighton Vander Esch, Damone Clark
Grade: B-
Leighton Vander Esch is a very good player when he’s healthy. Some say he’s slower than average. But he’s smart, reads the offense well, a great tackler and plays with passion. He was a man possessed in the playoffs, keeping them in the game while others seemingly took plays off.
Damone Clark was drafted in the fifth round by the Cowboys last season. He underwent spinal fusion surgery in March and still managed to play in 10 games last season. The Cowboys are excited to see how he develops in 2023.
SLB – Micah Parsons, Takkarist McKinley
Grade: A+
Stats aside, Micah Parsons is the best linebacker in the league. He’ll eventually be recognized as such. The game just seems so easy for him. He’s fascinating to watch and so uniquely talented he can compete with the very best players in the NFL at just about any position he lines up. Parsons paired with Quinn is a nightmare for all who oppose them.
Takkarist McKinley tore his ACL with the Browns. Then he only managed to play in four games last season with the Rams and had just a single tackle. Dan Quinn was the one who had originally drafted him for the Falcons in the first round in 2017. We suspect he’s got something up his sleeve for this dynamic duo.
LCB – Stephon Gilmore, Jourdan Lewis
Grade: A
Stephon Gilmore was once known as the best cornerback in the league. He’s not too far removed from those days – but at 32, he’s no spring chicken. If he hasn’t lost a step, Gilmore and Diggs could be the best cornerback combination in the league.
Jourdan Lewis was a third-round selection who’s been a solid cornerback for the Cowboys for years. He suffered a foot injury (Lisfranc) during the seventh week of 2022 and was out for the remainder of the season.
SS – Jayron Kearse, Israel Mukuamu
Grade: A-
Kearse was a seventh-round pick who never really broke out of his shell until he came to play for the Cowboys. Now he’s a huge piece of the defense. Fans appreciate Kearse for his intense work ethic and the devastating hits he can dish out. He always seems to be around the ball. Kearse and Wilson make for a downright dangerous pair.
Israel Mukuamu was drafted in the sixth round out of South Carolina under the Quinn administration and was likely chosen for his size, speed, and toughness. He played in 15 of 17 games last season and managed 17 tackles and a pick.
FS – Donavan Wilson, Malik Hooker
Grade: A-
Donavan Wilson was a sixth-round pick who didn’t emerge until the middle of the season in 2020. He’s been a difference maker every time he’s been in the game. Wilson came out of nowhere and has already proven to everyone that they were wrong about him. He’s far better than they thought.
Malik Hooker was another former first round pick who was selected #15 overall by the Colts. He tore his ACL in September of 2020, and in 2021 the Cowboys signed him.
RCB – Trevon Diggs, Nashon Wright
Grade: A-
Trevon Diggs has already earned a name for himself around the league. His high-risk, high-reward style invites criticism, but he is always one of the most dynamic and exciting players to watch on the field. Diggs belongs in the conversation with the best cornerbacks in the league.
Nahshon Wright was drafted in the third round in what some people thought was a reach. He’s fully capable of reaching for things most of us can’t grab as another tall guy at 6’4. Wright may be a tad undersized in the belly at 190 lbs.
