Cowboys systematically rebuilt this position group around 2 star players who needed help

USA Today

04-05-2025

Cowboys systematically rebuilt this position group around 2 star players who needed help Have the Cowboys used free agency and the draft this offseason to improve the defensive line compared to the 2024 team?
After just one year of Mike Zimmer, the Dallas Cowboys have once again shifted defensive coordinators as they embark on the 2025 journey. The club lost Dan Quinn as their defensive coordinator following the 2023 season, and asked Zimmer to put together a defense that could play better against more modern offenses, the likes of which masterminds Kyle Shanahan and Matt LaFleur deploy. Like almost all things football, the work in the trenches was the most important factor. Now they look to Matt Eberflus, another familiar face, to continue the transition.
Changing to a new defensive coordinator typically means adjusting talent to fit the new scheme, and the Cowboys allowed some veterans to leave in free agency while bringing in five new players for Eberflus to work with. Are they a better unit than they were in 2024?
Three of the unit's four starters remain the same, as does the edict Eberflus has with their direction. He needs to continue to improve the game of Mazi Smith, continue Micah Parsons' evolution into a team leader, and help Osa Odighizuwa further ascend into a difference-making, game-changer of a pass-rushing defensive tackle.
The loss of Demarcus Lawrence is significant in theory. For many seasons, he was the Cowboys' best run defender and pressured the opposing quarterback at an impactful level. He was also the most clutch defender on the team, often making big fourth-down run stops. Comparatively to 2024 though, losing Lawrence isn't a big hit as he only played four games last season; less than a quarter of the season.
Marshawn Kneeland, a second-round pick from 2024, was selected with Lawrence leaving a clear possibility. He is the edge-setting replacement now with a year of seasoning, while veteran Dante Fowler Jr. was brought back via free agency to further the pass rush to see if he can continue his late-career resurgence. The team also brought in another former first-round pick in Payton Turner, who dealt with injuries through his first three seasons in New Orleans to finally play 16 games in 2024.
2025's edge unit will also see 2022 second rounder Sam Williams return from injury; a wild-card after an ACL injury robbed him of the all-important third season. Looking to be non-dependent on that, the Cowboys drafted one of the best pass rushers in this year's class, Donovan Ezeiruaku. He led the FBS in pressures, was second in tackles for a loss, and had 16.5 sacks in 2024.
Odighizuwa didn't have a true backup three-technique last year, but new defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton brought along Solomon Thomas from the New York Jets, and his presence will allow Odighizuwa to play fewer snaps and be more efficient.
The team also got younger at defensive tackle. They didn't bring back Linval Joseph and drafted Jay Toia and Tommy Akingbesote. Akingbesote could need a year to develop, but Toia will get snaps immediately as the run-stuffing nose tackle.
Adding a 10-sack defensive end and a rookie the caliber of Ezeiruaku bolsters the unit. with the caveat that rookies don't always shoot out the gate. Adding depth to the defensive tackle position was an enormous plus as well. On paper, it appears the defensive line is in a much improved place heading into the 2025 season.
You can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or Bluesky @mike-crum-cdpiglet.bsky.social