Review of DEs on the current roster

[xwalker]

Options at DE on the current roster listed by age:

6-4 265 Jeremy Mincey 30
6-7 267 Ceasar Rayford 28
6-4 270 George Selvie 27
6-4 252 Martez Wilson 25
6-4 230 Quinton Spears 25
6-4 284 Tyrone Crawford 24
6-5 294 Ben Bass 24
6-4 260 Tristan Okpalaugo 24

Mincey
Strong run defender. Can play either side.

Rayford
I think he was moved to the practice squad last year because he was injured. He has impressive physical ability with excellent length and really good quickness. My guess is that he's the 2nd or 3rd fastest guy on this list.

Selvie
Probably moves to the Strong side with Mincey and/or Crawford on the Strong Side

Wilson
Freak athlete. Had some success in New Orleans as a situational pass rusher. Was cut when they moved to 3-4 due to lack of ability in coverage. Oakland tried him as a 4-3 LB which was a bad fit.

Spears (Quinton)
Listed as a LB, but he appears to be a DE in this scheme. Might have a chance as a 3rd down pass rusher. Looked terrific in college game footage but it was a low level of competition.

Crawford
Probably a Strong Side DE but might be a 3 tech or even 1 tech DT. Least likely position is Weak Side DE.

Ben Bass
Probably a DT but might be in consideration at Strong Side DE.

Okpalaugo
Decent athleticism with excellent length at 6-5 with 36-1/2" arm length and 10-1/4" hands. He was an 3-4 OLB in college. As a pass rusher and run defender he reminds me a bit of Selvie in that he's not an elite speed/quickness guy, but uses his length to his advantage. It's interesting to watch players that can use their length. It often looks like they are too far away to make the play, but at the last second can unwind their arms and body to reach out and make the play.

Summary: If they could just develop 1 legit player from the following it would be really nice to go along with Selvie, Crawford, Mincey and a DE drafted in the top 3 rounds:

6-7 267 Ceasar Rayford 28
6-4 252 Martez Wilson 25
6-4 230 Quinton Spears 25
6-4 260 Tristan Okpalaugo 24
Late round draft pick

They might keep 2 from the list if Crawford moves to DT.

 

[xwalker]

It seems that they have a lot of DEs that project to the Strong Side. It would be good if the draft pick could be a super quick type player even if he's a bit on the smaller side.

To me, a guy like Ealy seems to be similar to guys they already have on the roster (i.e a bigger guy with length, but not as quick as some other the other DEs in the draft).

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Nice analysis!

I think you meant to write that Selvie will go to the weak side.

I think an early round draft pick at DE will be added.

 

[tm1119]

Not even close to enough talent....if those players weren't on the Cowboys roster you would not be talking them up like that.

Mincey and Selvie can probably produce a league adequate SDE rotation, but there's nothing else there that should be on a 53 man roster at DE. Unless Crawford plays DE, but I'm not sure that's going to happen except a few plays a game in certain packages.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Not even close to enough talent....if those players weren't on the Cowboys roster you would not be talking them up like that.

Mincey and Selvie can probably produce a league adequate SDE rotation, but there's nothing else there that should be on a 53 man roster at DE. Unless Crawford plays DE, but I'm not sure that's going to happen except a few plays a game in certain packages.

Yep.

No question they're in bad shape at DE.

Selvie shouldn't be a starter.

A early round DE would help matters some, but obviously more is needed.

Probably an early round DE this year and another next.

Hey if one of these "no-names" came on this season and put-up "Selvie" type of numbers that would be a plus– but I'm not counting on it.

 

[Tejano15]

It seems that they have a lot of DEs that project to the Strong Side. It would be good if the draft pick could be a super quick type player even if he's a bit on the smaller side.

To me, a guy like Ealy seems to be similar to guys they already have on the roster (i.e a bigger guy with length, but not as quick as some other the other DEs in the draft).

Dee Ford, he's the guy I want, he is going to be better against the run then people think. Super quick, non stop motor, and a gym freak.

 

[davey999]

I doubt that there is a weaker group in the league...

 

[cowboyblue22]

really weak group

 

[xwalker]

Dee Ford, he's the guy I want, he is going to be better against the run then people think. Super quick, non stop motor, and a gym freak.

I'm beginning to think that he would be the best fit.

Barr - Unlikely to be available. Is somewhat risky due to underdeveloped skill at the position (only played defense for 2 years)
Ealy - Seems like best fit is on the strong side
Crichton - Seems like best fit is on the strong side.

I don't know how Marinelli feels about short DEs. Most of the guys they've added have a lot of length. He had players with a lot of length in Chicago. Simeon Rice in Tampa Bay had excellent length.

Marinelli did apparently like Spencer; otherwise, I don't think the Cowboys would have Franchised him in 2013.

There is not much difference in length between Ford and Spencer:
Ford 6021, 32-7/8" arms

Spencer 6027, 32-5/8" arms

Spencer is 3/4" taller but his arms are 1/4" shorter.

I'm not too worried about Ford against the run because Marinelli does not seem to require the WDE to play much run defense. He didn't give Ware much responsibility against the run. Ware was usually free to crash inside or go upfield on the outside with a LB maintaining the edge in the event of a run. When Marinelli really wanted strong run defense from that position, he would bring in a guy like Wynn at 6-3, 285.

 

[Va_BoysFan4 Life]

Nice breakdown X
I personally would not use the term weak, more so unknown, possible potential. I personally like what is going on with the DLine. I think Marinelli is building rotation with a bunch of blue collar, lunch pail carrying guys. Hungry for PT, hungry for recognition. Yes we all would like an elite HOF/ Superstar in the line up. I do not see that happening no matter how you slice it. With the DTs, he is looking for serious pressure up the middle and the DE to contain with some decent pressure from the outside. I believe he is looking to build a 8-9 man rotation that he can keep fresh on the field. With that being said, I'm not a Dee Ford guy, but with he speed I think he would be a better DE fit. If I'm not mistaking the rotation line up the Boys won with in the last 3 SB were not all big name guys. Yes you had the Haley's and the Lett's but the did run a 8 man rotation that I can't remember some of the name without looking it up.

 

[CyberB0b]

Pretty sad looking bunch. I'm really curious as to where Crawford will end up.

 

[Beast_from_East]

I doubt that there is a weaker group in the league...

Yep, our DEs are basically NFL Europa talent level.

Easily the worst group of DEs in the league. Not sure how we are going to be competitive against the good passing teams with virtually no pass rush from the edges.

 

[NeonDeion21]

Good job X. I'm not as down on the group as most.

 

[SportsGuru80]

We'll almost certainly draft a DE within the first three rounds of the draft....

 

[waving monkey]

It [DE's]certainly must be attended to in the draft. it was horrible last year.
Next years draft will be the finale additions too complete th DE position I hope.
The entire line is in bad shape.

 

[ViperDT9]

Dee Ford is so overrated..... He had one decent year, and really wasn't that impressive

 

[noshame]

I think the group as a whole will look much better this season as Rod will cut them loose like he did the last game. Monty had the DL reading waaaay to much in a old school attempt to bend but not break. Plus the mass confusion didn't help either. I would like to add one early round pick to the DL and one to the OL and I will come out of this draft a happy camper(if there is such a thing).

 

[Fredd]

nice analysis @xwalker
now, they just need to supplement that with higher draft picks, and possibly see who is out there in FA after June 1st...as of right now, the group is a rag-tag bunch that needs an infusion of talent...hopefully, the DT's can apply pressure up the middle and force the QB's to the outside, giving this group an extra step towards them....

 

[hra8700]

We desperately need a weakside DE in the draft. It's such a priority the risk of reaching for one is scary.

I think Crawford/Mincey can handle strongside with either/both flexing in as a nickel 3.
Selvie can play weakside (uhhh....), but then we need another rotational guy. Right now it would be Selvie weakside, crawford strongside, mincey flexing in to spell both sides. With ZERO depth. Kind of scary.

 

[vicjagger]

Did I really see someone that weighs 230 on that list?