Power Rankings: Top Post-Draft Defenses (27-32)

Dec 29, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys mascot Rowdy reacts in the tunnel during the second half of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium. The Eagle beat the Cowboys 24-22. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Dallas Cowboys 8-8
Last Season’s Rankings: #32 Overall Defense (415.3 total yards per game allowed) #30 Passing Defense (286.8 passing yards per game allowed) #27 Rushing Defense (128.5 rushing yards per game allowed)

Last season it wasn’t their offense that lost them the majority of their ball games (besides the Packers and Eagles games), but rather their defense. In 16 games this season, the Cowboys allowed a horrendous 415.3 total yards per game, 286.6 of them through the air and 128.5 of them coming on the ground (ranked 32nd, 30th and 27th overall this season, respectively). One of the reasons why the Cowboys defense played so poorly was due to their secondary and a lot of injuries in their front seven. DeMarcus Ware was gone for some of the Cowboys games as well as inside linebacker Sean Lee. Due to their absences on the defensive line, the Cowboys ranked 25th in the league last season with only 34.0 sacks and 42 tackles tackles for loss. Typically DeMarcus Ware sacks opposing QBs an average of 13.0 times per season, however because of injuries he was only able to sack QBs 6.0 times. It may be a case of bad luck, however I firmly believe that the Cowboys should have gone out and gotten some great defensive talent last draft at the defensive end and linebacker position. Because they decided to go with 3 offensive players in the first three rounds, the Cowboys defense ended up suffering badly, especially in the passing game.

On the rushing side of the ball as well as the passing side of the ball, the Cowboys definitely need some help. You’ve seen their stats against the run this season: 128.5 rushing yards allowed per game, 131 rushing yards per game in their last 13 games, 13 rushing touchdowns and 10 games of over 100 yards to opposing running backs (2 of them for over 200 yards). In short in the last 13 games of the season the Cowboys were absolutely abhorrent against the run. Due to injuries to their front 7 the Cowboys defense suffered pretty noticeably. Now while the majority of their defensive woes were on the passing side of the ball, defense is a two part game, you have to be ready for both sides of the ball. The Boys lost a big defensive weapon and pass rusher in DeMarcus Ware. This off-season they’ve made a defensive addition in DT Henry Melton from the Bears, but nothing else. This draft look for the Cowboys to mainly concentrate on defensive tackles and perhaps outside linebacker. Currently on the Cowboy’s depth chart they have three players at both the left and right defensive end positions. Although losing Ware is a huge blow to an already atrocious Cowboy defense, I think that with some good draft choices Dallas can actually get to the playoffs this season.

Here are some of their selections:

OLB DeMarcus Lawrence, Boise State University
As the 2nd overall pick of the 2nd round, many were caught off-guard by Dallas’s pick up of Lawrence. However, with the loss of DeMarcus Ware, the Cowboys felt a hankering for another Demarcus to fill his place. At BSU, Lawrence was a pass rushing dynamo, recording 34 tackles for loss, 120 total tackles, 19 sacks and 7 forced fumbles. With the loss of Ware, Lawrence gives the Cowboys another pass rushing LB who can ravage the backfield. Although he can be aggressive at times, Lawrence combines the ultimate combination of physicality, speed, and fluidity. With such physical traits, the Cowboys really truck some gold with Lawrence. He’s a natural pass rusher who can use a multitude of moves and dekes and spins in order to get to the QB. With both Jason Hatcher and Ware gone, Lawrence most definitely will be used in order to rush the QB (something which he is extremely talented at). Expect Lawrence to leave in impact early. 

OLB Anthony Hitchens, University of Iowa
Originally from Lorain, Ohio, Hitchens has been known for the past two seasons in Iowa as a tackling machine. As a hawk eye, Hitchens went out and was able to register an average of 118 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss (13.5 came during his senior season), and 1.5 sacks per season. Where Hitchens is such a strong selection is in his overall pass rushing abilities and personality as a football player. He is willing to work hard and will most certainly battle for his position on the Cowboys opening day roster. At the moment on the Cowboys’ depth chart, he is listed behind Sean Lee. Although Lee is the for sure starter, Hitchens can eventually see some playing time at his designated OLB position. Hitchens is explosive and plays with a tenacity unmatched by many. Watch out for this kid, the plot certainly Hitchens in Dallas.

DT Ken Bishop, University of Northern Illinois and DE Ben Gardner, Stanford University
With the loss of Hatcher and D-Ware, the Cowboys desperately needed to fill the holes in their rush defense. The additions of Bishop and Gardner should most definitely help the Cowboys next season. For the DT Bishop, his college career saw him record 16.5 tackles for loss along with a total of 125 total tackles in his final seasons as a Husky at Northern Illinois. Although Bishop has some troubles with the pass rush, he is a very good run defender and can clog the holes in the middle for the linebackers to go through. Bishop provides the Cowboys with what they need most: run defenders. On the other hand, Gardner is more of a pass-rusher than Bishop. At Stanford, Gardner was able to record 35 career tackles for loss, 17 QB hurries, and 17.5 sacks. On the outside the Cowboys already have Demarcus Lawrence and George Selvie. If Gardner is lucky, he can show Dallas he could potential earn some playing time. He’s going to have to use his size and speed to his advantage to show he can truly be NFL-worthy.

OLB Will Smith, Texas Tech University
For the Cowboys last season, outside linebacker was a huge problem. Although Smith may be a 7th-round pick, he can still have the potential to work his way up to the starting role in the NFL. In his senior season, Smith was able to record 120 tackles (86 solo) along with 10.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, while adding an interception return for a touchdown. According to some scouts, he could bulk up more and do a lot more in terms of coverage. However, he does possess some good traits in that he is very quick off the ball and can find the ball carrier with relative ease and speed. although I do not expect Smith to replace Bruce Carter as weak side line backer, he still has the ability to be the understudy in the case Carter plays lack-lusterly during the first half of the season.

S Ahmad Dixon, Baylor University and CB Terrance Mitchell, University of Oregon
In 2013 the Cowboys pass defense allowed 286.6 yards per game to opposing quarterbacks (ranked 30th in the league), and 6 games where the Cowboys allowed QBs to pass for 3 or more passing touchdowns (5 of them of 4 passing touchdowns). Where the Cowboys needed a lot of help was in their passing game. While Orlando Scandrick and Brandon Carr were acceptable CBs, Mitchell adds another dimension to the Cowboys squad considering he did spend time under current NFL coach Chip Kelly at Oregon. Dixon should help up the Free Safety position, even though the Strong Safety position is really what needs the most help in my opinion. With these two acquisitions, the Cowboys better hope that they get lucky or have their current starters step up. This is Dallas after all.

Last season, everyone was definitely well aware of the Cowboys’ troubles with their front seven. With one of the worst defenses in the NFL, it was amazing how Dallas was still able to muster a 8-8 record and have a chance to win the NFC East at the end of the season. Regardless of their performance last season, the Cowboys now have the chance to change their defensive scheme in order to win some ball games. Obviously now they do not have defensive end DeMarcus Ware nor DT Jason Hatcher any longer and will have to adjust their defense accordingly. In the off-season they went out and signed fomrer Bear DT Henry Melton who will replace Hatcher at the DT position. Currently the Cowboys’ defensive front seven stands at this: left defensive end Greg Selvie, left defensive tackle Terrelle McClain, right defensive tackle Henry Melton, right defensive end Jeremy Mincey, weak side linebacker Bruce Carter, and strong side linebacker Kyle Wilber.  For rookie linebackers Anthony Hitchens, Demarcus Lawrence and Will Smith, the best action they are going to see is minimal at best. Of course Lawrence has a better chance than Hitchens does to start because of his overall ability and skill set. However, all three LBs are too valuable to waste.

Unfortunately though, I don’t believe that the Cowboys will improve in the running game in 2014. The loss of ILB Sean Lee for the season will most likely be too much to make up. Injuries and free agency will doom them in the end, and send the Cowboys back to another 8-8 season.

In 2013 the Cowboys pass defense allowed 286.6 yards per game to opposing quarterbacks (ranked 30th in the league), however it was touchdowns that killed the Cowboys last season. Last year the Cowboys secondary allowed 29 passing touchdowns to opposing QBs, including 6 games where the Cowboys allowed QBs to pass for 3 or more passing touchdowns (5 of them of 4 passing touchdowns). It is no wonder why the Cowboys went 1-5 in those games. In reality the Cowboys passing and rushing offense was good, ranking 14th and 24th in passing (247.1 passing yards per game) and rushing (94.2 rushing yards per game). However, had their defense not had given up 27.0 points per game to opposing offenses last season (ranked 27th in the NFL), then perhaps the Cowboys would have made the playoffs. Their 15 interceptions and 67 passes defended in 2013 ranked 17th and 22nd overall last season. If the Cowboys can get a bonafide pass defender in the draft then the sky is the limit for these Cowboys. Where they probably need the most help is at the Strong Safety position. Last season the Cowboys drafted J.J. Wilcox in the 3rd round out of Georgia Southern. Although Wilcox was a beast the season prior at Georgia Southern, this season for the Cowboys he could have done a lot better defending the pass. In 13 games played, Wilcox only defended only 1 single pass and tackled opposing ball carriers a combined 38 times. Allowing opposing QBs to pass for an average of 329.9 passing yards and 2 touchdowns per game in the first 10 games is just not acceptable for a playoff contender in the NFL anymore. Sure the Cowboys do have CBs Brandon Carr, Orlando Scandrick and Morris Claiborne. The problem is that these corners haven’t been producing as much as the Cowboys would like. Carr stated on twitter that he was going to perform better this next season. Let’s hope so.