The story of the Dallas Cowboys continues to be about Micah Parsons. However, there's been another major concern all summer long, and that's stopping the run.
Combining the imposing offensive lines that the Cowboys are going to have to face all offseason, plus the lack of size of their own front seven, the Eagles might have a field day in Week 1 if Matt Eberflus' squad doesn't get bigger up front.
The Bears' latest subtraction might spell an answer and a reunion for Eberflus, but also doom for former first-round defensive tackle Mazi Smith. Defensive lineman Zacch Pickens was just cut by the Chicago. At 6-foot-4 and 303 pounds, he might be a piece to eventually shove Smith out of Dallas.
Perfect Matt Eberflus reunion could eventually shove Mazi Smith out of the Cowboys' lineup
Fans were looking in the direction of seventh-round pick Jay Toia to potentially take the place of Smith if he had a killer preseason, but after watching Toia failed to make the desired wavs, Smith will make the team in his third season. And it's far from a comfortable feeling.
Smith's presence on team still isn't convincing enough, and that's where another third-year defender in Pickens could join the picture.
Pickens played in all 17 games as a rookie and nine games in 2024 and has totaled 39 tackles in two years. A lingering groin injury forced Pickens to miss a lot of time last season, but he has been effective in his role when healthy.
The Cowboys clearly need more noise up front. Perrion Winfrey is making the team after initial reports claimed he was cut, but he isn't a traditional run-stopper. Signing Pickens could be an easy adjustment for Eberflus to insert him on early downs at least, and save Winfrey for obvious passing situations.
Dallas will play six of the top 10 offensive lines this season, two of whom reside in their division in Philadelphia and Washington. They are playing with fire if they don't sign another big-bodied DT who can move the pocket and defend the run.
If Smith doesn't make an impact against the Eagles, you better believe fans will start pointing the finger at the former first-round pick.