Since the sudden and disappointing close to the Dallas Cowboys season, many fans are coming up with their own ideas of ways they would "fix" the franchise that is a regular season juggernaut yet a constant disappointment in the playoffs.

One of the more popular ideas amongst fans has been changing their "base" defense from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense.

Changing a defense isn't as easy as a switch in one season. It requires multiple years. You're looking at different styles of players that have new roles. Thus, you need your scouting department to be able to identify new players to fill the roles. Realistically you're looking at a two-three year adjustment period while you get the new players to fit the new personnel. Is it a feasible option for the Cowboys? That's what we're here to explore.

First, we need to look at the lineup. In a 3-4 the Cowboys need a big 0-technique. Someone who can hold the point of attack, eat double teams to clear up the second-level linebackers. On the roster they have Mazi Smith, as Johnathan Hankins is set to hit free agency. As we have already discussed in a previous article, they had Mazi Smith lose weight in order to rush the passer. If they switch to a 3-4, they would need him to gain the weight back so he can fill the role he made his calling card coming out of college. They would also need to bring Hankins back to serve as a mentor and provide meaningful snaps as Smith readjusts to the added weight. 

At 5-technique, you would likely be playing a combination of Sam Williams, Dorance Armstrong, and DeMarcus Lawrence. This is a good rotation, but where are you playing Osa Odighizuwa? Osa's best position is at 3-technique, and you're essentially getting rid of that position in a 3-4 base defense. Some people will say kick him out to 5-technique, but there would be valid questions if he can translate. In all reality, he might become a trade piece if you were to make the switch. You would likely need to add some depth at 5-technique in free-agency or the draft to feel comfortable with the move. 

At outside linebacker, which is practically another edge rusher you would obviously have superstar Micah Parsons. In addition to him you would likely see a combination of DeMarcus Lawrence, Dante Fowler, and you would also likely see Sam Williams take some snaps at the position. The Cowboys recently spent a fourth-round draft pick on Viliami Fehoko who fills the role quite well, but he has yet to play a regular-season snap. So relying on him isn't a well-thought-out plan. Yet another position you are looking to add depth and potentially a starter. 

At middle linebacker, you have Leighton Vander Esch, Damone Clark, DeMarvion Overshown, and Markquese Bell. This role doesn't change much other than putting an even greater need of adding another linebacker this offseason, as you're actively trying to upgrade over Clark. Getting Overshown back will certainly help, but you still need more. 

You're secondary lineup and the needs would remain the same, so there is not much difference there. 

Is it worth it?

In the reality of the modern NFL, a full scheme change is not worth it. With offenses deploying more and more 12 personnel, the new "base" defense in the NFL is becoming nickel and dime packages.

The 3-4/4-3 debate happening in #Cowboys twitter is basically pointless and kind of antiquated tbh when you have someone like Micah Parsons who fudges the lines between "4-3 DE" and "3-4 OLB."

What's more important is matching personnel (Ex: Offense in 12 personnel so defense…

— John Owning (@JohnOwning) January 26, 2024

The Cowboys spent 73.3% of their defensive snaps in nickel this year. The second most used personnel for the Cowboys was dime at 21.1%. For those playing at home that is 94.4%. Only 4.3% of Cowboys defensive snaps were in base this year. 

It should be safe to say that nickel is the Cowboys' "base" defense as it is for much of the NFL.

That does not warrant such a change where you are drafting and targeting new players. A change that as we discussed can take multiple seasons for it to reach its fully realized potential.

A compromise

Now there is a compromise: Being more multiple. The Cowboys are not terribly far off in terms of personnel of making a switch. There is a path where they can be multiple and it would just take the additions we talked about earlier. The reality is that they should put more emphasis on making the nickel their "base" package. 

One of a coordinator's main jobs is to game plan for upcoming opponents. If the Cowboys go with the more multiple approach, the coordinators can look at opposing offenses, see where their struggles lie, and build from that. 

But again offenses are passing the ball more and more, the Cowboys are better off focusing on honing their nickel and dime packages than building a new "base" package for something they are in less than 5% of the season. 

Cowboys’ Dan Quinn needs to take note of Nick Saban’s words

Urgently so.