Cowboys have no D-line going into 2025

[Sarge]

We’ve been horrible against the run since the invention of electricity. Next year will be no different…

 

[CCBoy]

That’d be rearranging chairs on a sinking ship.
We awfully thin at linebacker (overshown gone a year and Kendrick’s a free agent).
But I do prefer Parsons in a 3-4 for sure

3-4 has fewer linemen to defend a run. Dallas has a good number of defensive ends already. Most plays are even for package groups to begin with.

 

[Flamma]

It is scary how bare the cupboard is regarding the Cowboys D-Line situation.
Mazi Smith is the only remaining Starter going into 2025.
Osa and Gholston are Free-Agents.
All the rest going into 2025 are just JAG's.
The only options for the Team is to overpay for FA's because any of the top FA's know the Cowboys are desperate for help. Therefore, anyone they get will be overpaid.
To retain Osa, they will have to pay him well above his true value.
Likewise, Gholston won't cost as much, but he will be paid like a starter when he is more of a rotational D-lineman.
If they don't re-sign either of them, we will likely be bargain shopping for DL and we will continue to get steamrolled by offenses.
Even with Osa and Gholston, we would still have a very weak DLine because both more rotational level talents and our rotational/2nd team will be below them.
Given this situation, I would expect the Cowboys to draft the top DL if there at 12.

They'll go to FA, but they won't overpay.

Spotrac has the market value for Osa at 21 million. That's a bit high IMO.

 

[CCBoy]

They'll go to FA, but they won't overpay.

Spotrac has the market value for Osa at 21 million. That's a bit high IMO.

Now is the time to build a true future and with a workable contract. Don't be coward and all talk, Stephen.

 

[gtb1943]

They'll go to FA, but they won't overpay.

Spotrac has the market value for Osa at 21 million. That's a bit high IMO.

Yeah I would not pay him that. He would be high at 15

 

[lostar2009]

Welp once again front office is late Osa should've been signed. But let's see how they plan to move

 

[big dog cowboy]

Welp once again front office is late Osa should've been signed.

How is the FO late? FA hasn't even started yet.

 

[Flamma]

Yeah I would not pay him that. He would be high at 15

Yeah, 15 would be high too. You can't pay every decent player you have 15-20m a year. My guess is Osa gets around 13m.

 

[Mcsports]

3-4 has fewer linemen to defend a run. Dallas has a good number of defensive ends already. Most plays are even for package groups to begin with.

Yeah but the problem is we can’t roll out four good linebackers . Parsons, Marist L., and……nobody . Overshown won’t play this year and Kendrick’s is a free agent.

 

[charron]

Those are not pff rankings.

https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-2025-nfl-free-agent-rankings

Nobody with sense would put levi over osa.

I literally copied from one of their articles.

 

[charron]

Those are not pff rankings.

https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-2025-nfl-free-agent-rankings

Nobody with sense would put levi over osa.

https://www.pff.com/news/2025-nfl-free-agency-primer-top-10-free-agents-at-every-position

 

[jay94]

You think the defensive line is bad. Take a look at running back and cornerback.

Running back is not that important and cb no idea what you're smoking, both WR and DT are much worse.

 

[Smith22]

Running back is not that important and cb no idea what you're smoking, both WR and DT are much worse.

Heard media already speculating that Diggs won't be ready to start the season, and JLew is a free agent.

Bland is in his final year.

That said, I do agree we are running on empty at DT and LB.

 

[lostar2009]

How is the FO late? FA hasn't even started yet.

Osa isn't supposed to make FA. This shoulve been a cheap deal.

 

[Creeper]

Yes, this is the big problem I have been squawking about. No DTs. They have Mazi and Justin Rodgers under contract. Then they have Phils Hoskins and Denzel Daxon on the practice squad. All the other DTs are free agents. They really let this position go to pot in a big way.

The good news is, the draft is loaded with DTs and if they are wise, they would take a couple. Then sign a second tier fee agent. I don't think they can sign Osa because I think he will get too much money for Dallas.

DE isn't much better. They have Williams and Kneeland. Parsons as an Edge rusher. Then they have Tyrus Wheat and a few guys on the practice squad. I think they should look for players in the draft all over the DL.

 

[xwalker]

3-4 has fewer linemen to defend a run. Dallas has a good number of defensive ends already. Most plays are even for package groups to begin with.

The Parcells type 3-4 was designed to stop the run.

The primary difference in that type of 3-4 and a 4-3:
- The "11th man" on a base defense is the position replaced when in Nickel.
- The "11th man" on a 4-3 is the SLB (Usually about 240 pounds).
- The "11th man" on a 3-4 is the NT (Usually 320+ pounds).

The 3-4 OLBs play DE in Nickel.
- i.e. They are more like a 4-3 DE than a 4-3 LB.
- DWare and Spencer during the Wade Phillips years.
- Both would have been DEs in a 4-3.

Modern 3-4 defenses are generally the style popularized by Wade Phillips.
- Often without a super massive NT.
- The Quinn 4-3 in Parsons rookie year was very similar to the Wade type 3-4.
- Parsons started a LB in all but 4 games.
- With Parsons at LB on one edge and the opposite side DE often standing.
- i.e. DLaw standing at LDE and Parsons often aligned outside the RDE.
- That alignment looked almost identical to the Wade type 3-4.

 

[gimmesix]

Well to be clear we really didn't have no dline this year lol.
Parsons is basically a DE but other than him it was pretty meh.

I can see us bringing at least 2-3 of these guys back on one year deals unless they go sign with the Commanders lol
Carl Lawson, DE
Chauncey Golston, DL
Linval Joseph, DL
Carlos Watkins, DL

I'm hoping that we don't have to rely on filler players like Joseph and Watkins this year. Hopefully, we'll draft a couple of DTs early. I think we'll bring back Odig, Golston and Lawson to go with Mazi, Kneeland, Parsons and Williams. I don't know if we'll bring back Lawrence, but Odighizuwa will be fairly pricy, so I can't see us going after other DTs in free agency.

 

[CCBoy]

The Parcells type 3-4 was designed to stop the run.

The primary difference in that type of 3-4 and a 4-3:
- The "11th man" on a base defense is the position replaced when in Nickel.
- The "11th man" on a 4-3 is the SLB (Usually about 240 pounds).
- The "11th man" on a 3-4 is the NT (Usually 320+ pounds).

The 3-4 OLBs play DE in Nickel.
- i.e. They are more like a 4-3 DE than a 4-3 LB.
- DWare and Spencer during the Wade Phillips years.
- Both would have been DEs in a 4-3.

Modern 3-4 defenses are generally the style popularized by Wade Phillips.
- Often without a super massive NT.
- The Quinn 4-3 in Parsons rookie year was very similar to the Wade type 3-4.
- Parsons started a LB in all but 4 games.
- With Parsons at LB on one edge and the opposite side DE often standing.
- i.e. DLaw standing at LDE and Parsons often aligned outside the RDE.
- That alignment looked almost identical to the Wade type 3-4.

True...and good observations.

Now, as to trends, the packages have to be able to present strengths that includes diversity and with more defensive tackle size to clog attempts to push open running lanes and maximize the ability to shut down quick passes and bring heat on the opposing quarterback.

This still marries up with the Dallas preference of how to attack an opponent. It has a good group of defensive ends and must elevate it's supportive positional groups.

My second pick in the draft would be a strong defensive tackle or linebacker. Criteria for change now has to be focused as to directions and focus in strength added.

Scouts are already intense and players added this season will quickly prove accountable and talented. That should relieve some stress from Stephen and should drive him beyond just being a rich executive and adding to a strengthened focus for change before the draft as well.

 

[CCBoy]

Yeah but the problem is we can’t roll out four good linebackers . Parsons, Marist L., and……nobody . Overshown won’t play this year and Kendrick’s is a free agent.

'Can't.' and that was the earmark of this season just played. Not men carrying on and overcoming personal hurdles. That is sport...you can go on back to stomach bumping instead.

The linebacker group is a strong one. Parsons is compared to LT.

Leadership growths.

Despite ending the season with just one healthy linebacker on the active roster in 2023, the linebacker corps now has fresh faces in Harris, Vigil, Eric Kendricks, Marist Liufau, DeMarvion Overshown (return from injury), Jason Johnson, Willie Harvey Jr., Damien Wilson and Brock Mogensen.

Now do some real informed talking...

 

[TwentyOne]

Well to be clear we really didn't have no dline this year lol.

My first thought was to post this.