gimmesix
Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life
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DEFENSE
Defensive ends
WORSE
There are just so many questions about the end spots that it is impossible to predict success for this group, especially at the start of the season when both DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory are suspended. By not resigning Greg Hardy or Jeremy Mincey, Dallas will start the season with just returning end (Jack Crawford) and he's more of a rotation player. However, two other players who were on the team last year (David Irving and Ryan Russell) will be vying for playing time at end as well. Then, there's fourth-round pick Charles Tapper, who continues the theme of young and inexperienced, and roster hopefuls Mike McAdoo and Lawrence Okoye. Dallas did bring in Benson Mayowa, but he's another player who has seen limited action. Some combination of these parts will have to be used to at least hold the fort at end until Lawrence and Gregory's suspensions end. And even when they return, Lawrence is the only one who has shown consistent ability to rush the passer, so there is only hope with the rest of this group based on potential.
Defensive tackles
BETTER
Replacing Nick Hayden with Cedric Thornton has to be considered a clear upgrade. Hayden tried hard and knew his assignments, but there's only so far you can go with that. Thornton is difficult to block on run downs and will hold his ground and tie up blockers to allow plays to be made. Along with a healthy Tyrone Crawford that should make our interior line more stout, and both can also push the pocket to create some inside pressure. David Irving and Jack Crawford have shown that they also can contribute at the 3-tech, but the main backup there might end up being third-rounder Maliek Collins. Collins is more stout and Dallas could need Irving and Jack Crawford more at end. The backup to Thornton is less clear. Terrell McClain has shown he can be a solid rotational piece when healthy, but he hasn't been able to stay healthy which could help open the door to massive Casey Walker or rookie Rodney Coe. It seems likely at the interior spots that no one will make the team simply because their the best of several bad options
Linebackers
WORSE
Last year, Dallas had to endure four games without middle linebacker Rolando McClain. This year, he's gone for at least 10. That means inferior players will be handling his spot this year since second-round pick Jaylon Smith won't be ready to do it. Anthony Hitchens is not a bad fill-in, but he's not at the playmaking level really needed in this defense for that spot. Sean Lee has the weakside spot sewn up if he can stay healthy, but there are no other bona fide playmakers in the corps, unless youngsters like Damien Wilson and Mark Nzeocha step up. Kyle Wilber and Andrew Gachkar are just role players. The questions surrounding it group make it possible that an undrafted rookie (Deon King) might prove more capable of contributing than others expected to make the team.
Cornerbacks
BETTER
I'm a bit torn on this one being improved since Byron Jones is moving to safety, but the return of Dallas' best corner, Orlando Scandrick, from injury should make the position stronger. Neither Brandon Carr nor Morris Claiborne are great, but a trio of Scandrick, Carr and Claiborne should be better than a trio of Carr, Claiborne and Jones (especially since Jones will still be out there). Draft pick Anthony Brown might be able to strengthen the depth, which also should include Deji Olatoye unless one of the UDFAs or inexperience players can beat them out.
Safeties
BETTER
The corner position's loss should be the safety spot's gain with Jones becoming the starting free safety. Jones has the cover skills that last year's starters lack. He didn't have a great year in coverage when he was forced to play corner, but his coverage of tight ends was excellent. Church likely will continue to start at strong safety, while J.J. Wilcox is now fighting for his roster spot. Jeff Heath did some things last year that earned him a multiyear deal, so Wilcox might have to beat out rookie Kavon Frazier to stick. If Dallas keeps five safeties, he could be challenged by UDFA Rolan Milligan, with it possibly coming down to special teams play vs. contract.
Defensive ends
WORSE
There are just so many questions about the end spots that it is impossible to predict success for this group, especially at the start of the season when both DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory are suspended. By not resigning Greg Hardy or Jeremy Mincey, Dallas will start the season with just returning end (Jack Crawford) and he's more of a rotation player. However, two other players who were on the team last year (David Irving and Ryan Russell) will be vying for playing time at end as well. Then, there's fourth-round pick Charles Tapper, who continues the theme of young and inexperienced, and roster hopefuls Mike McAdoo and Lawrence Okoye. Dallas did bring in Benson Mayowa, but he's another player who has seen limited action. Some combination of these parts will have to be used to at least hold the fort at end until Lawrence and Gregory's suspensions end. And even when they return, Lawrence is the only one who has shown consistent ability to rush the passer, so there is only hope with the rest of this group based on potential.
Defensive tackles
BETTER
Replacing Nick Hayden with Cedric Thornton has to be considered a clear upgrade. Hayden tried hard and knew his assignments, but there's only so far you can go with that. Thornton is difficult to block on run downs and will hold his ground and tie up blockers to allow plays to be made. Along with a healthy Tyrone Crawford that should make our interior line more stout, and both can also push the pocket to create some inside pressure. David Irving and Jack Crawford have shown that they also can contribute at the 3-tech, but the main backup there might end up being third-rounder Maliek Collins. Collins is more stout and Dallas could need Irving and Jack Crawford more at end. The backup to Thornton is less clear. Terrell McClain has shown he can be a solid rotational piece when healthy, but he hasn't been able to stay healthy which could help open the door to massive Casey Walker or rookie Rodney Coe. It seems likely at the interior spots that no one will make the team simply because their the best of several bad options
Linebackers
WORSE
Last year, Dallas had to endure four games without middle linebacker Rolando McClain. This year, he's gone for at least 10. That means inferior players will be handling his spot this year since second-round pick Jaylon Smith won't be ready to do it. Anthony Hitchens is not a bad fill-in, but he's not at the playmaking level really needed in this defense for that spot. Sean Lee has the weakside spot sewn up if he can stay healthy, but there are no other bona fide playmakers in the corps, unless youngsters like Damien Wilson and Mark Nzeocha step up. Kyle Wilber and Andrew Gachkar are just role players. The questions surrounding it group make it possible that an undrafted rookie (Deon King) might prove more capable of contributing than others expected to make the team.
Cornerbacks
BETTER
I'm a bit torn on this one being improved since Byron Jones is moving to safety, but the return of Dallas' best corner, Orlando Scandrick, from injury should make the position stronger. Neither Brandon Carr nor Morris Claiborne are great, but a trio of Scandrick, Carr and Claiborne should be better than a trio of Carr, Claiborne and Jones (especially since Jones will still be out there). Draft pick Anthony Brown might be able to strengthen the depth, which also should include Deji Olatoye unless one of the UDFAs or inexperience players can beat them out.
Safeties
BETTER
The corner position's loss should be the safety spot's gain with Jones becoming the starting free safety. Jones has the cover skills that last year's starters lack. He didn't have a great year in coverage when he was forced to play corner, but his coverage of tight ends was excellent. Church likely will continue to start at strong safety, while J.J. Wilcox is now fighting for his roster spot. Jeff Heath did some things last year that earned him a multiyear deal, so Wilcox might have to beat out rookie Kavon Frazier to stick. If Dallas keeps five safeties, he could be challenged by UDFA Rolan Milligan, with it possibly coming down to special teams play vs. contract.
