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Dallas Cowboys Defense: Regular Season Grades

By Brandon Orange

Nov 24, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Sean Lee (50) runs with the ball after intercepting a two point conversion attempt in the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 24, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Sean Lee (50) runs with the ball after intercepting a two point conversion attempt in the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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We grade the major units of the Dallas Cowboys defense and look at the impact they had on the Cowboys 13-3 regular season record in 2016.

Oct 16, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) and linebacker Sean Lee (50) tackle Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) during the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) and linebacker Sean Lee (50) tackle Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) during the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

At the end of the season, football fans tend to overanalyze and nitpick every aspect of their team’s season. What went right, what went wrong and what they need to do in the offseason to improve, etc.

When Dallas Cowboys fans reflected on the season this time last year, the feeling was a little different following a very disappointing 4-12 regular season record. This year, after going an amazing 13-3,  Cowboy fans have the playoffs to look forward to. But with Dallas earning a first week bye in the postseason, now is as good a time as any for a little reflecting.

So, let’s talk about the performance of the Cowboys’ defense, a unit that really didn’t have high hopes heading into the season. Defensive backs Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne had yet to live up to their expectations when they were added to Dallas’ roster way back in 2012. Cornerback Orlando Scandrick was coming off a lost season in 2015 due to a torn ACL. And nobody was 100% sure rookie corner Byron Jones would make a seamless transition to safety in his second season.

At the linebacker position, questions swirled around the status of starting middle linebacker Rolando McClain following his suspension. And could weakside linebacker Sean Lee stay healthy and post yet another Pro Bowl worthy season?

Along the defensive line, many wondered if the Cowboys would be able to produce enough pass rush without two of their starting defensive ends, who were both also suspended for portions of the season.

Before quarterback Tony Romo went down during a preseason game in Seattle, the defense was predicted to be the Cowboys undoing. While the quarterback position seemed filled when a bright young rookie stepped up to take over the starting role, the defense once again looked to be the weak link. While they weren’t doomsday caliber, they got the job done.

So, here are my grades for each positional group within the Dallas Cowboys defense in 2016.

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