Dallas Cowboys: Demarcus Lawrence and Year No. 2

One player all Dallas Cowboys fans should be excited to watch this fall should be second-year defensive end Demarcus Lawrence.

Lawrence was drafted by the Cowboys with the 34th overall selection in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft, but his rookie season was tough for the fact he missed a little over the first half of the regular season.

The defensive end from Boise State didn’t play in the NFL until November 2 vs. the Arizona Cardinals, where he totaled two combined tackles (one solo) and for the entire regular season had a total of nine combined tackles in seven regular-season games.

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Being 6’3″ and 251 pounds, Lawrence also played in both playoff games where he had three tackles and two sacks, the first two of his NFL career, with one each against the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers.

Is it okay to describe the rookie season of Lawrence as a dress rehearsal?

Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (90) recovers a fumble after sacking Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) late in the fourth quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Dallas defeated Detroit 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Lawrence’s rookie season began with a fractured right foot in training camp. He never really became the player in year one the Cowboys needed him to be, and after looking back at his journey last season, it is understandable.

As a rookie, Lawrence never really had a training camp, plus throw in the fact that after recovering from his foot injury, he was thrown into a defense that played well enough, but just never really stood out for a majority of the season.

When Lawrence was being drafted by the Cowboys last year, his NFL.com draft profile had him graded as a 6.06, with the DE being timed with a 40-yard dash of 4.80 seconds.

According to Nolan Nawrocki of NFL.com, he stated the following on Lawrence in his draft profile:

"“Lacks ideal stoutness at the point of attack, but could thrive as a 4-3 right end or 3-4 rush linebacker, and should contribute readily on passing downs.”"

That’s exactly what the Cowboys need out of Lawrence this season … the success of his pass rushing skills.

Once Lawrence made his NFL debut on November 2, the Cowboys did suffer two of their three regular-season losses. But that isn’t on the defensive end. Even in the wins, the Cowboys gave up under 20 points three times in his seven regular-season games, but they also allowed point totals of 27 or more four times, games in which they finished 2-2.

Sep 7, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy (76) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Now for the outlook of the ’15 season of Lawrence and what he can do for the Cowboys’ defense. For starters, he’ll be playing opposite of newly-signed defensive end Greg Hardy, though Hardy will most likely be suspended for the first four games of the regular season due to his off-the-field issues.

Whenever Hardy is officially allowed to play in a game, he’ll take some pressure off Lawrence, even freeing up the second-year pro more, allowing Lawrence to use his pass rush skills better than he did in year one.

According to Cowboys reporter Todd Archer of ESPN.com two months ago, Lawrence “remains a priority for the Cowboys.”

"“Archer wrote: The Cowboys believe Lawrence can be their biggest difference-maker in the pass rush in 2015.”"

I believe the health of Lawrence is the absolute biggest difference maker on the Cowboys defense for the ’15 season, and that includes the addition of Hardy, the re-signing of Rolando McClain and the return of linebacker Sean Lee, who missed all of last season with a torn ACL.

The Cowboys gave up a third rounder last year to move up into the second round to draft Lawrence, so a player with second-round talent is a must-have on the field for the Cowboys this season.

If Lawrence can stay healthy and make it through training camp this year, he’ll not only improve his own individual game, but the possibilities of having his pass rush on the Cowboys in Week 1 is a lot to really look forward to.

That is a must, especially with how the likes of the Philadelphia Eagles have added to their roster in their attempt to dethrone the Cowboys from the top spot of the NFC East.

Maybe I’m being a “glass half full” person in April, but I really believe the Cowboys made the right choice when they drafted Lawrence last year. His training camp injury was a major setback, but as the season went into the postseason, that ability to cause havoc on the quarterback showed with his two sacks.

None of us really know what all Lawrence has to offer when completely healthy at the NFL level.

The Cowboys will need more out of Lawrence this upcoming season. With his aforementioned talent and the best of his career in front on him, Lawrence will become the impact player they missed at defense end last season and will help the Cowboys keep the momentum they built in ’14.

Next: Dallas Cowboys: Will Dezmin Lewis be the steal of draft?

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