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Dallas Cowboys: The 5 most important players for 2018

By Matt Holleran

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 24: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys walks off the field after the Seattle Seahawks beat the Dallas Cowboys 21-12 at AT&T Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 24: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys walks off the field after the Seattle Seahawks beat the Dallas Cowboys 21-12 at AT&T Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 12: DeMarcus Lawrence #90 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates sacking Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 12: DeMarcus Lawrence #90 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates sacking Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

4. DeMarcus Lawrence

Coming in at number four on the list is the 2017 Dallas Cowboys breakout star, defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence. In the past season Lawrence was by far the most productive player on the Cowboys defense by a long shot.

In 16 games he recorded 14.5 sacks, which was tied for second in the league only behind Chandler Jones of the Arizona Cardinals, and also forced four fumbles. Lawrence was also a huge part of the Cowboys being the eight best run defense in the NFL, allowing only 104 rushing yards a game. He earned himself his first Pro Bowl nod after his superb season.

In 2017, the Cowboys found something their defense had been lacking for years in DeMarcus Lawrence. They finally had a feared pass rusher, or as Jerry Jones would say a “War Daddy”, that made offenses around the league game plan around him.

Even though they missed some key players throughout the year, the Dallas defense ending up the eight fewest yards per game in the NFL, at 318 yards, and they also held teams to the eleventh fewest passing yards a game, at 214 yards.

Much of this success was a result of the outstanding play of DeMarcus Lawrence and if the Cowboys defense wants to replicate their success in 2018, they are going to need Lawrence to play at the same level.

When DeMarcus was at his best, so was the Dallas defense, and they are going to need him at his best in 2018. After being franchise tagged this offseason, expect Lawrence to be heavily motivated and have a monster 2018 season, and if he does the Cowboys are going to have one heck of a defense.

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