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Dallas Cowboys: Ranking NFC East defenses by position

By Brad Austin

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 25: Quarterback Carson Palmer #3 of the Arizona Cardinals is sacked by defensive end Tyrone Crawford #98 of the Dallas Cowboys, defensive tackle Maliek Collins #96 and defensive end Demarcus Lawrence #90 during the first half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 25, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 25: Quarterback Carson Palmer #3 of the Arizona Cardinals is sacked by defensive end Tyrone Crawford #98 of the Dallas Cowboys, defensive tackle Maliek Collins #96 and defensive end Demarcus Lawrence #90 during the first half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 25, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 25: Defensive end Demarcus Lawrence #90 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts after a sack during the third quarter of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 25, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 25: Defensive end Demarcus Lawrence #90 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts after a sack during the third quarter of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 25, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

4-3 ENDS / 3-4 OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS

  1. Washington (Ryan Kerrigan, Preston Smith, Ryan Anderson)
  2. Dallas (DeMarcus Lawrence, Tyrone Crawford, Taco Charlton)
  3. Philadelphia (Brandon Graham, Derek Barnett, Michael Bennett)
  4. New York (Olivier Vernon, Lorenzo Carter, Avery Moss)

Analysis: Kerrigan and Smith combined for 21 sacks as the best pair of bookend rushers in the division. A case can be made to rank the Eagles (as a group) second. However not a single pass rusher (including newly added Bennett) recorded double-digit sacks last year.

Lawrence (14.5 sacks) is a bona fide elite rusher in Dallas. Charlton will improve upon his rookie numbers and the bench is deep and talented. As for the Giants, the switch to 3-4 defense doesn’t fit their current personnel as well.

4-3 LINEBACKERS / 3-4 INSIDE LINEBACKERS

  1. Philadelphia (Jordan Hicks, Nigel Bradham, Corey Nelson)
  2. Dallas (Sean Lee, Jaylon Smith, Leighton Vander Esch)
  3. New York (Alec Ogletree, B.J. Goodson, Ray Ray Armstrong)
  4. Washington (Zach Brown, Mason Foster, Martrell Spaight)

Analysis: Hicks is the second best linebacker in the division. Like Lee, who ranks above him, the hardest task is staying on the field. Bradham comes over from Buffalo to provide a sturdy one-two punch. Dallas may be the best unit when it’s all said and done, but they’re too unproven to make that call before August.

Superstar Lee leads the group as usual, with raw talent now around him. This unit could be a boom or bust scenario for Dallas depending on health and growth. New York’s signing of Ogletree lifts them above Washington in the race between the least imposing units.

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