Dallas Cowboys: Three keys to another successful season

The New Look D

The beginning of the decade was all about the Dallas Cowboys rebuilding the offense.

In 2010, the Cowboys drafted wide receiver Dez Bryant with their first round selection.  The next season, Dallas passed on J.J. Watt in favor of Tyron Smith.

In 2013, the Cowboys used their first three selections on offensive talent.  The next year, Dallas completed their offensive line with the selection of Zack Martin.

Over the last three drafts, however, the focus has shifted to the defense.

In 2015, safety Byron Jones was the first round choice of the Dallas Cowboys.

Last year five of the first seven selections in the draft were defensive players.  This year, seven of the Cowboys nine draft picks play on the defensive side of the ball.

In just three years, the entire defense has been remade, becoming younger, faster and more talented.

Along the defensive line, Tyrone Crawford is the only player with a significant role over the age of 25.  At linebacker, 30 year old Pro Bowler Sean Lee will be flanked by two young and talented guys in Damien Wilson (23) and Jaylon Smith (21).

In the secondary, the Cowboys have used six picks over the last two drafts on cornerbacks and safeties.

Next: The Dallas Cowboys top five position battles of 2017

The youth movement is complete.  If the talent matches the expectation for guys like Taco Charlton, Charles Tapper, Smith, Chidobe Awuzie, Jourdan Lewis and Jones, this team will be dominant.

One thing youth always brings is excitement.  I, for one, can’t wait to see the Dallas Cowboys in 2017.