Dallas Cowboys post-draft/free agency: How good is this defense?

With the draft complete and free agency all but done as well, can the defense finally catch up to the Dallas Cowboys offense in 2018?

On Sunday, I broke down what the future of the Dallas Cowboys may hold. After several seasons of being a top-notch unit, the 2018 Cowboys offense was middling.

In every conceivable fashion, the offense became stale, predictable and… old. Even with a second year quarterback and running back, the lack of speed hurt this team.

The defense, however, is trending the opposite way.

Over the past five seasons, the Dallas Cowboys defense has improved each season in yards allowed. Starting with their dead last overall finish in 2013, the Cowboys ascended up to eighth overall last year.

Given that they were 13th in points allowed as well, one could make an argument that this defense has begun to rival the Dallas offense. One good reason for this has been the attention given to that side of the ball via the NFL Draft.

Over the last four seasons, DeMarcus Lawrence, Damien Wilson, Jaylon Smith, Maliek Collins and entire overhaul of the secondary have come from the draft. This goes without mentioning Charles Tapper and Randy Gregory. Both defensive linemen have combined to play just one full season despite being drafted in 2015 & 2016 respectively.

The Dallas Cowboys continued this process last month, adding Leighton Vander Esch at linebacker and Dorance Armstrong, Jr. along the line. Throughout this process, the Cowboys have built depth along the line. They have replenished the entire secondary with youth, speed and swagger. Dallas may also boast one of the fastest linebacking units in all of football in 2018.

The mission is clear.

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Put speed all over the field and come at the opposing quarterback in waves with fresh body after fresh body.

It is clearly starting to work as well. Last year, Lawrence finished tied for second in the league in sacks. This despite only one other running mate posting more than six.

In order for the ascension to continue, however, other players need to step up. The biggest key to that occurring is without question, one word.

Health.

We all know how much better the Dallas Cowboys defense is when Sean Lee is healthy. Last year, he was absent for five games. In those games, Dallas allowed 162 points. They gave up 170 points total in the eleven he played. There is no question his best ability in 2018 needs to be availability.

Along side Lee, you have to believe that nothing but improvement will be coming to Jaylon Smith’s game. All offseason, pictures of him working out sans brace for his drop foot are out there for your visual stimulation. More health for Smith will undoubtedly mean less doubt in his game.

It seems like a good time to remind you that the secondary spent a good portion of time on the trainer’s table as well.

The rookie duo of Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis battled hamstring issues early and often. Because of that, they only were starters for six and seven games respectively.

Lastly, the defensive line could use some fortune in the health forum as well, both physical and mental.

David Irving was starting to become unblockable before a post-Thanksgiving concussion ended his season four games too soon. Then there is Tapper and Gregory.

The two combined for 30 career sacks in college but have just one each in the pros. Most of that is due to the four games collectively since 2016. Gregory has not been injured, however his mental health is at stake, beyond football.

If the Cowboys can get anything out of both of them, the line just becomes that much more fierce.

Three weeks ago, I took a shot at projecting this year’s defense along with the salary implications.

Here’s the updated, post free agency, post draft version. The Cowboys added five million to the original amount, mostly thanks to drafting a first round linebacker.

Defensive Ends
DeMarcus Lawrence ($17.1M), Tyrone Crawford ($9.1M), Taco Charlton ($2.3M), Kony Ealy ($1.2M), Dorance Armstrong ($647K), Charles Tapper ($784K), Randy Gregory ($1.2M), Datone Jones ($790K)
Lewis Neal (practice squad) ($555K)

Defensive Tackles
David Irving ($2.9M), Maliek Collins ($975K), Jihad Ward ($953K), Brian Price ($630K)

Linebackers
Sean Lee ($11M), Jaylon Smith ($1.7M), Leighton Vander Esch ($2.1M), Damien Wilson ($821K), Joe Thomas ($1.3M), Justin March-Lillard ($630K), Chris Covington ($519K)
Tre’Von Johnson (practice squad) ($480K)

Cornerbacks
Byron Jones ($2.7M), Chidobe Awuzie ($973K), Jourdan Lewis ($768K), Anthony Brown ($664K), Marquez White (practice squad) ($480K)

Next: Dallas Cowboys: The 5 most important players for 2018

Safeties
Jeff Heath ($2.5M), Kavon Frazier ($655K), Xavier Woods ($595K), Duke Thomas ($480K)

The average age of this defense is a shade over 25 with just one guy over the age of 30. It’s young and fast with a chip on their collective shoulders. They are eager to prove they belong.

If they can continue the trend of improvement in both yards and points allowed, they may be the key to a playoff run in Dallas.

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