The Dallas Cowboys have a new defensive coordinator. 

With a new coach being brought on staff they bring new things they look for in players.

We saw this with Dan Quinn. 

Quinn favored athletes at linebacker and overlooked size, and in the secondary he favored length. 

The addition of Quinn brought a change in philosophy that the Cowboys looked at when bringing in free agents and drafting players. Under Quinn, the Cowboys brought in Jayron Kearse and Markquese Bell who played linebacker for you. And they drafted Nahshon Wright and Eric Scott Jr. to player cornerback. 

With Quinn now gone, and Mike Zimmer being brought in, the question must be asked.

How does this change who the Cowboys will look to target on defense?

That's what we're here to decipher. 

3-technique is the most important position in Mike Zimmer's defense. Back in 2008-2013, Zimmer was the defensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals. In 2010 the Bengals drafted defensive tackle, Geno Atkins. In 2012, Atkins emerged as a star, registering 12.5 sacks. He would be one of the reasons that Zimmer was catapulted from defensive coordinator of the Bengals to head coach of the Minnesota Vikings. 

The good news for the Cowboys is they have a good 3-technique in Osa Odighizuwa. Osa is entering the final year of his deal, so I wouldn't be shocked if they try and work out a lucrative extension this offseason so he can be the mainstay in Zimmer's reworked defense.

Having a dominant DT can help Zimmer make the most out of his disguised pressures and creative blitzes.

Next to the 3-technique, Zimmer likes to have someone who can stop the run; someone who can hold the point of attack and clog lanes so linebackers can flow to the ball. Linval Joseph was the man for this in Minnesota. 

The Cowboys drafted this player in Mazi Smith last year

The problem as we have already discussed, is that the Cowboys had him lose weight so he can rush the passer. Which resulted in them bringing back Johnathan Hankins. 

Hankins is a free agent once again, so are the Cowboys confident that Mazi can add the weight back and fill the role? Or are they going to turn to the veteran free-agent market, (which could essentially be admitting failure on the Mazi Smith pick)? That remains to be seen, but it is something to look for in the coming months.

In linebackers the keys are intelligence and the athleticism to bail from the A-gap when aligned there pre-snap. With the Cowboys linebackers being suboptimal all around this year, I would expect them to be heavily invested in the position during free agency and the draft alike. 

At corner, Zimmer likes to have the press-man style of corner. Someone who has arm length, is fluid in the hips and can turn and run. The Cowboys had a phenomenal year in their corner room despite the injury to star Trevon Diggs. DaRon Bland had a historic season, and Stephon Gilmore stepped into his role very well.

Gilmore's contract is up and he is set to be a free agent. I would expect Zimmer to make bringing Gilmore back a priority; and if they do that, there isn't much of a need other than to maybe take a late-round swing at developing a player.

At safety, Zimmer likes to have a center field type of safety. Harrison Smith was his guy in Minnesota, and the Cowboys have a player who can fit this role in Malik Hooker. The problem with Hooker has always been his health. In college Hooker was an elite prospect, who could just sit back and freely roam sideline to sideline making plays. Injuries have derailed his career for the most part in the NFL.

In Dallas ,Hooker has stayed healthy. They might look to add insurance, just in case, but Hooker is under contract through the 2026 season so this role appears to be filled for now. 

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