Dallas Cowboys: A sobering two-deep defensive look before free agency

With two dozen free agents and many signings to come, a look at the Dallas Cowboys defensive two-deep helps magnify their needs.

There’s been much speculation and debate over which of their own free agents the Dallas Cowboys will re-sign in the coming months. With plenty of down-time remaining, the conversations will naturally continue.

With many key defensive players becoming free agents it is only appropriate to take a two-deep look at where the Cowboys defense stands entering the offseason.

DEFENSIVE TWO-DEEP

Left Defensive End – DeMarcus Lawrence, Joe Jackson

Left Defensive Tackle – Trysten Hill, N/A

Right Defensive Tackle – Antwaun Woods, N/A

Right Defensive End – Dorance Armstrong, Joe Jackson

Strong Side Linebacker – Luke Gifford, Chris Covington

Middle Linebacker – Jaylon Smith, Chris Covington

Weak Side Linebacker – Leighton Vander Esch, Chris Covington

Left Corner – Chidobe Awuzie, Deante Burton

Right Corner – Jourdan Lewis, Deante Burton

Strong Safety – Donovan Wilson, N/A

Free Safety – Xavier Woods, N/A

SKELETON CREW ON DECK

Of course there will be multiple signings, re-signings, and draft additions to fill in the holes, but still … wow. Talk about a skeleton crew manning the deck guns.

Three defensive ends and two defensive tackles is scary seeing the 2019 Cowboys roster was carrying 10 players at those positions. Only two of the five remaining were significant factors on the latest defense.

Linebacker has four players remaining with only two who played regularly. Covington took 28 defensive snaps and Gifford had zero. It’s worth mentioning Vander Esch will be coming off a concerning neck surgery.

Only two starting corners remain while Burton recorded just three snaps. Safety is depleted down to one returning starter, Wilson with his 16 snaps, and zero depth.

Surely this will shake itself out during free agency and the draft, but I can’t recall a more gutted defensive two-deep as Dallas approached an offseason. On the flip side, it will be an advantage as the new staff will mold the new defense to their liking.