Ranking the Dallas Cowboys top three defensive concerns

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DeMarcus Lawrence, Robert Quinn, Dallas Cowboys (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

#1 – Pass Rush

When the Cowboys lost Robert Quinn to free agency, they lost the team’s sack leader from 2019. It’s no small feat to record 11.5 sacks. And that level of production will be difficult to replace.

The Cowboys are banking on former All-Pro pass rusher Aldon Smith to fill that void. But Smith hasn’t played football since 2015, and is joining the team amidst a worldwide pandemic which has all but eliminated the team’s offseason training program prior to camp.

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Tyrone Crawford figures to be the stabilizing force at the position. But the 30-year old is coming off double-hip surgery and has never racked more than 5.5 sacks in a season (2018). The rest of the depth chart includes Dorance Armstrong, Joe Jackson, Jalen Jelks plus rookies Bradlee Anae, Ron’Dell Carter, and Ladarius Hamilton.

The Cowboys could be banking on Nolan’s potential multiple scheme to bail them out if Smith fails to regain his previous form. Helping to develop linebacker Jaylon Smith into more of a pass rusher could be an option as well as the former second rounder did rack up 4.0 sacks in 2018.

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