B/R: Ranking every NFL defense after the draft

[Hawkeye0202]

Well.....at least we are not last





32) Dolphins 26) Cowboys 16) Niners 3) Rams

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25423366-ranking-every-nfl-defense-after-2026-draft

Ranking Every NFL Defense After the 2026 Draft​

Gary DavenportApr 30, 2026

26. Dallas Cowboys​

The Dallas Cowboys were abysmal defensively a year ago. Only one NFC team allowed more yards per game than the Cowboys last season, and Dallas was the only team in the league that allowed more than 30 points per game.
To be fair, the Cowboys were aggressive in both free agency and the draft trying to fix that leaky defense. There are a pair of new edge-rushers in Dallas in veteran Rashan Gary and first-round rookie Malachi Lawrence. The Cowboys quietly strengthened the linebacker room with a draft day trade for Dee Winters, who topped 100 total tackles and started all 17 games for the San Francisco 49ers last year. Ohio State safety Caleb Downs is a movable chess piece who was a gift with the 11th overall pick.
If Lawrence is a quick study, the front four in Big D could actually be pretty solid. But there are just too many potential issues behind them—both against the run and in coverage.
Hope the Dallas offense is ready for some shootouts.

 

[Reality]

Until something changes, it hasn't, so it's a fair assessment at this point no matter who the Cowboys drafted or signed.

 

[BobSacamano]

Btw it’s were article writer, not was.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Until something changes, it hasn't, so it's a fair assessment at this point no matter who the Cowboys drafted or signed.

Guess you are right........draft gives us a small bump, but we will have to earn the rest

 

[12+88=7]

Until something changes, it hasn't, so it's a fair assessment at this point no matter who the Cowboys drafted or signed.

If you think that way that would apply to every team and there would be no reason to write the article.

I disagree that nothing has changed. I will say that the Dallas defense has had the most change than any other unit in the NFL this off season.

Did you see the thread where Dallas will probably have two starters back from week1 last year according to depth chart. That's massive change.

I believe this article is way off on the prediction of this defense.

 

[Reality]

If you think that way that would apply to every team and there would be no reason to write the article.

I disagree that nothing has changed. I will say that the Dallas defense has had the most change than any other unit in the NFL this off season.

Did you see the thread where Dallas will probably have two starters back from week1 last year according to depth chart. That's massive change.

I believe this article is way off on the prediction of this defense.

You can argue reasons why, but until it has proven that it has changed, its nothing but opinions and wishful thinking.

I think the biggest improvement by the defense was getting rid of Eberflus.

The talent on the defense was not historically bad last year, just weak at certain positions, and the defensive coaching staff did nothing to compensate or help with that like other coaches do every year.

I get that people are excited about free agent signings, draft picks and coaching staff changes, and to be fair, so am I.

I'm excited to see what Parker can do with this defense over the next couple of years and I'm looking forward to seeing our defensive draft picks on the field in preseason.

That said, at this point, the defense has a long way to go toward improvement and until it does, it has not done so.

And I agree, the article was pointless. That was my point.

 

[Scotman]

You can argue reasons why, but until it has proven that it has changed, its nothing but opinions and wishful thinking.

I think the biggest improvement by the defense was getting rid of Eberflus.

The talent on the defense was not historically bad last year, just weak at certain positions, and the defensive coaching staff did nothing to compensate or help with that like other coaches do every year.

I get that people are excited about free agent signings, draft picks and coaching staff changes, and to be fair, so am I.

I'm excited to see what Parker can do with this defense over the next couple of years and I'm looking forward to seeing our defensive draft picks on the field in preseason.

That said, at this point, the defense has a long way to go toward improvement and until it does, it has not done so.

And I agree, the article was pointless. That was my point.

Agreed. We are what we are until we show something different. But moving on from Eberflus is a huge step in the right direction.

 

[Risen Star]

We will be somewhere in the teens. Nowhere near 26th.

But the offense will regress.

 

[zerofill]

...and there would be no reason to write the article.

Do you realize how many articles are written, when there was no reason to write them? lol

 

[zerofill]

We will be somewhere in the teens. Nowhere near 26th.

But the offense will regress.

One side of the ball always becomes worse in Dallas.

 

[kskboys]

If you think that way that would apply to every team and there would be no reason to write the article.

I disagree that nothing has changed. I will say that the Dallas defense has had the most change than any other unit in the NFL this off season.

Did you see the thread where Dallas will probably have two starters back from week1 last year according to depth chart. That's massive change.

I believe this article is way off on the prediction of this defense.

Same here. We've completely revamped our D. Did the writer even take into account Q/Clark/Gary/Thompson/Ogboner? All very good players, and huge upgrades.

 

[big dog cowboy]

26. Dallas Cowboys

It's not how you start it's how you finish.

There is no way they will finish that low next year.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

It's not how you start it's how you finish.

There is no way they will finish that low next year.

100%......

 

[cowboys5xsbs]

Who cares let them sleep on us

 

[nalam]

We will be somewhere in the teens. Nowhere near 26th.

But the offense will regress.

You do have a point , last year offense knows D was junk and so they had to take chances but this year they will play more as per plan and that means meh . ( Not sold on our offensive think tanks or trust QB to be Genius) but even if D steps up of middle of the pack that means games will be competitive and so we can get more wins . If they both get some good understanding and starts clicking we might sniff playoffs. But everything is just talk now .

 

[kskboys]

Writers do this every year. They appear to be unable to analyze each team, instead mostly going off what happened the previous season. Look at the Eagles, they were the fav going into 25, despite losing a pile of talent on D. Dropoff was easy to see coming, but sports writers tend to be blind to anything not right in front of their faces.

 

[shabazz]

One side of the ball always becomes worse in Dallas.

Yup......even if the Defense and Offense both happen to shine, Aubrey will start hitting uprights and Anger will start shanking punts.

I dont make these rules.......Jerry has angered the football gods.

 

[shabazz]

There is no way they will finish that low next year.

If they are able to lure Kenneth Murray out of retirement, they might come close

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

If you think that way that would apply to every team and there would be no reason to write the article.

I disagree that nothing has changed. I will say that the Dallas defense has had the most change than any other unit in the NFL this off season.

Did you see the thread where Dallas will probably have two starters back from week1 last year according to depth chart. That's massive change.

I believe this article is way off on the prediction of this defense.

Commanders have had a lot of change as well. And with some solid pieces.

 

[Aven8]

Miami now has 3 stud LB’s with Brooks, JRod, and Louis and Hafley as the DC/HC. All of this list should change