Cowboys corner market with not 1, not 2, but 3 of NFL's top slot defenders

[Hardline]

K.D. Drummond
June 26, 2023 8:44 am CT

There’s no question the Dallas Cowboys boast one of the NFL’s best and most complete defenses. There are playmakers galore both at the line of scrimmage and in coverage. Back in the day, the phrase turn would have been “at all three levels”, but the transition of defensive personnel into hybrid modalities blurs the lines. Dan Quinn is one of the scheme leaders in that respect, favoring linebackers who primarily have edge responsibilities and three-safety groupings that take on roles formerly manned by a third linebacker.
But scheme isn’t enough on its own; having stand outs play their roles well is imperative in getting a defense that ranked No. 3 in DVOA pass defense in 2022 after ranking second in 2021.

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/lists/cowboys-among-nfls-best-slot-defenders/

 

[Typhus]

K.D. Drummond
June 26, 2023 8:44 am CT

There’s no question the Dallas Cowboys boast one of the NFL’s best and most complete defenses. There are playmakers galore both at the line of scrimmage and in coverage. Back in the day, the phrase turn would have been “at all three levels”, but the transition of defensive personnel into hybrid modalities blurs the lines. Dan Quinn is one of the scheme leaders in that respect, favoring linebackers who primarily have edge responsibilities and three-safety groupings that take on roles formerly manned by a third linebacker.
But scheme isn’t enough on its own; having stand outs play their roles well is imperative in getting a defense that ranked No. 3 in DVOA pass defense in 2022 after ranking second in 2021.

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/lists/cowboys-among-nfls-best-slot-defenders/

Takes these writers this long to figure this out,,, day late and a dollar short as usual.

 

[gimmesix]

Not sure why Donovan Wilson is a "potential breakout star." I think we've seen what Wilson is and it's pretty good, which is why we gave him a multi-year deal. He and Kearse are the stars of that safety room.

 

[Techsass]

Something changed with our scouts. It used to be that they could find good offensive nuggets in just about any round, but for some reason weren't able to recognize defensive players with potential.

 

[Pass2Run]

Something changed with our scouts. It used to be that they could find good offensive nuggets in just about any round, but for some reason weren't able to recognize defensive players with potential.

It's partly the GM listening to the scouts and sticking to that philosophy.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I'm thrilled with our 2ndary corp and have been impressed with secondary coach Al Harris also.

 

[T-RO]

Not sure why Donovan Wilson is a "potential breakout star." I think we've seen what Wilson is and it's pretty good, which is why we gave him a multi-year deal. He and Kearse are the stars of that safety room.

Agreed. Wilson was one of the five best Dallas defenders in 2022. He's way past "potential breakout"

And while Kearse is a dawg(!) he only plays slot occasionally. Plays as much coverage linebacker as anything. Often covering tight ends or backs. So Drummond seemed to whiff on several points.

True slot players are typically Bland and Lewis. Bland is special.

 

[Risen Star]

I don't buy it. We need more corners.

 

[maryquality]

I don't buy it. We need more corners.

Can never have too many corners.

 

[LonnieElam]

I don't buy it. We need more corners.

I've lurked here in the past. I remember how excited you were for Morris Claiborne.

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

Bland has pretty rare ball skills but having three productive "slot" defenders is mostly a reflection of how good the passrush is, I think.

 

[MyFairLady]

Not sure why Donovan Wilson is a "potential breakout star." I think we've seen what Wilson is and it's pretty good, which is why we gave him a multi-year deal. He and Kearse are the stars of that safety room.

Agreed two fantastic players who have contributed greatly to the success as of late.

 

[Rockport]

I've lurked here in the past. I remember how excited you were for Morris Claiborne.

And Carson Wentz

 

[Tangle_Foot]

We will be better at stopping the run, better at getting to the quarterback, and with this secondary we will lead the league in interceptions again.
D-FENCE!

 

[gimmesix]

Agreed. Wilson was one of the five best Dallas defenders in 2022. He's way past "potential breakout"

And while Kearse is a dawg(!) he only plays slot occasionally. Plays as much coverage linebacker as anything. Often covering tight ends or backs. So Drummond seemed to whiff on several points.

True slot players are typically Bland and Lewis. Bland is special.

On Kearse, I think he's equating his coverage linebacker role with playing slot since he does end up on receivers depending on the coverage. But yeah, I don't think we can add slot corner to his hybrid safety/linebacker role.

 

[gimmesix]

We will be better at stopping the run, better at getting to the quarterback, and with this secondary we will lead the league in interceptions again. D-FENCE

I think we will be better at stopping the run and better in coverage. Don't know if we've really improved the pass rush (unless Sam Williams takes it up a notch and/or Parsons has more levels he can reach), but better coverage and more long-yardage situations should give the pass rush more opportunities to feast. Interceptions are often a product of the pass rush while sacks are often a product of good coverage.

 

[JayFord]

stop

i can only soil so many underpants being excited for this defense

 

[slick325]

This defense can be really, really good this season.

 

[tyke1doe]

I don't buy it. We need more corners.

 

[tyke1doe]

This defense can be really, really good this season.

It's going to lead us to where we haven't been in almost 30 years.