Did the Dallas Cowboys do enough to repair defense?
By Brad Austin
DEFENSIVE END
- Starters: DeMarcus Lawrence, Tyrone Crawford
- Rotation: Taco Charlton, Benson Mayowa, Charles Tapper
- On deck: Damontre Moore (Week 3), David Irving (Week 5)
- Key losses: Jack Crawford
Last season five Cowboys ends were tasked with significant snaps. T. Crawford (624), J. Crawford (529), Irving (485), Mayowa (381), and Lawrence (327).
Dallas will feature three of those five in the opener. Also the team’s best pass rusher (Lawrence) is now healthy after surgery on the back injury that plagued 2016.
The only free agency loss was J. Crawford. Past starter Mayowa, first round rookie Charlton, and redshirt end Tapper should easily fill the void.
Free agent signing Moore had arguably the best camp of all end rushers. His return after a 2-game suspension will be huge.
Irving will also boost the rotation after serving his 4-game suspension.
It’s unlikely a double-digit sack artist will emerge. Yet the rotation is very deep and will feature solid contributions all around.
The end group will be slightly better than 2016 from the first snap. Lawrence’s regained health and much improved depth will assure that.
By the sixth game with all hands on deck, this unit should become a real strength.