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Dallas Cowboys: Hefty front seven investment must pay off

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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The Dallas Cowboys spend a fortune on their offensive line. Though heavy investment in the defensive front seven is far from lacking.

The calling card of the Dallas Cowboys for the last several seasons has been massive investment in their stout offensive line. 2017 was an off-year in the results column, though this uneven salary cap devotion paid plenty of offensive dividends in the years prior.

What may be flying under the radar is the heavy investment and/or draft stature of players in the defensive front seven for 2018. Below are the draft selections of key players in this group.

DEFENSIVE END

With the addition of Ealy and potential return of Gregory as rotational players, Dallas will feature five ends selected within the first 81 picks of their respective drafts.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

David Irving, the star of the interior, went undrafted in 2015 due to behavioral issues in college. It’s not surprising he’ll serve another four-game suspension to start the season. Along with Irving, Dallas has three former top 67 draft picks in the middle.

LINEBACKER

  • Leighton Vander Esch – 1st round – 19th overall (2018)
  • Jaylon Smith – 2nd round – 34th overall (2016)
  • Sean Lee – 2nd round – 55th overall (2010)

All three starting linebackers were graded as first round talents in their respective drafts. Pre-draft injuries to Smith and Lee dropped both into the second round.

SUMMING UP SEVEN

The time for excuses and lack of domination in the Cowboys front seven is over. Eleven players in the 2018 group were selected before the 82nd overall pick.

The front four fields a rotation of high value draft picks. And all three starting linebackers would’ve been first round selections without injury issues at draft time.

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Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli has plenty of ripe talent to squeeze every last drop out of and make playoff lemonade. Anything short of finishing top six in rushing defense and top ten in sacks will be an inexcusable letdown.

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