How Washington's defense could impact Dallas Cowboys' draft strategy
There are more than a few team needs that the Dallas Cowboys must address this offseason through free agency and the draft. Defensive line, defensive back, and linebacker are just three positions that immediately jump out. So, pretty much every level of the defensive side of the ball. The Cowboys' defense was among the worst […]
There are more than a few team needs that the Dallas Cowboys must address this offseason through free agency and the draft. Defensive line, defensive back, and linebacker are just three positions that immediately jump out.
So, pretty much every level of the defensive side of the ball.
The Cowboys' defense was among the worst in the National Football League in 2020, struggling to defend both the pass and the run. Dallas ranked near the bottom in the league in total and scoring defense. Everything was a mess; though, things did improve a little bit towards the end of the season against poor quarterback play.
As a result of overall poor play over the course of the year, the Cowboys parted ways with defensive coordinator Mike Nolan after one season in favor of former Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn.
Quinn runs a similar scheme to former Cowboys defensive coordinator Kris Richard, as both were in Seattle during the famous "Legion of Boom" days. Richard's unit had some success in 2018 before a relatively disappointing 2019 performance. Mike McCarthy is certainly hoping Quinn is the man to turn the unit around.
Adding talent to that side of the ball for Quinn to work with must be a priority.
Offensive line is another position group that could have the organization's attention come draft weekend.
Flipping to the other side of the line of scrimmage, offensive line is a sneaky important position of need for the Dallas Cowboys. Both starting tackles, Tyron Smith and La'el Collins, missed the majority — if not all — of the 2020 season with injury.
Some have speculated that Smith, who has an injury history, could be nearing the end of his illustrious career, while there has not been a whole lot said about where Collins is in his rehab. Then, there are also the other injuries across the offensive line — namely All-Pro Zack Martin and swing tackle Brandon Knight.
With all of that in mind, some draftniks have slotted an offensive lineman to the Cowboys in the first-round. The Athletic's Dane Brugler is one draft mind with that thought process, as Brugler has the Cowboys choosing Northwestern offensive lineman Rashawn Slater with the 10th-overall pick in his latest mock draft. Brugler states his reasoning for the pick:
Many fans will disapprove of any pick that isn’t a defensive player, but the Cowboys’ offensive line woes were a constant theme all season. Not only does Slater have NFL-ready talent, he offers the versatility to play tackle or guard, giving the Cowboys much-needed flexibility.
The position versatility that Slater offers has to be attractive to the Cowboys. With some question marks at both tackle and guard, Slater would be able to step in and fill some of that void for Dallas.
Slater opted out of the 2020 season, but the former three-star prospect out of Sugar Land, Texas, is still being selected in round-one of several mock drafts that are being put out all around the internet. The Lone Star State native possesses a 6-foot-5, nearly 300-pound frame and more than held his own against top competition in 2019.
Washington's front-seven could force Dallas to beef up offensive line.
One of the names mentioned in the tweet above is Chase Young, who will likely be named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and just so happens to play in the same division as the Dallas Cowboys. Young has already shown to be a force for the Washington Football Team, but he is far from the only stud defender on that Washington defense.
In addition to Young, Washington possesses an elite defensive line featuring the likes of Montez Sweat, Jonathan Allen, and Da'Ron Payne — all of which were first-round draft selections. They get after the quarterback, and they stuff the run. The Cowboys found that out firsthand this season, scoring a combined 19 points in two meetings in 2020.
Obviously, the return of Dak Prescott will help the offense find more success, but the point sill remains: Washington's defense is very good, and Dallas will be forced to match up with them twice a season. Therefore, shoring up the trenches would not be a bad thing for the Cowboys. It would not be ideal for Young and Sweat to live in the Cowboys' backfield.
There are ways to go before draft day in April — and the Cowboys could go in a number of different directions — but it is not out of the realm of possibility for Dallas to bypass defense in round-one in favor of offensive line.
It can be debated if that is the best route for the Cowboys to take, as there are certainly many pressing needs on defense, but drafting an offensive lineman high would be a smart long-term investment for Dallas.
Featured image via Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
