FRISCO, Texas – Size matters.
Evidently for the Cowboys.
Really matters.
Just look at what the Dallas Cowboys are doing remodeling their defense, not even one week into the NFL's new league year, in a most earnest effort to move from a 4-3 base defense to a 3-4 base under the guidance of new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, who no question about it has been given the keys to The Star. Might have been written into his contract.
But before we identify the tear down and rebuild that seems to be placing a priority on improving the hideous run defense of the past, let's at least explain. If playing a 3-4 defense, meaning a nose tackle in the middle of the front three surrounded by technically-named defensive ends, do not think like Donovan Ezeiruaku or Jadeveon Clowney sized defense ends.
Nope, those two guys must be big mothers in the middle, none of these 3-techniques using their speed and quickness at like 277 or 280 to defeat blocks. Got to have lumberjacks there in the middle while trying to create more one-on-one opportunities to defeat blocks.
Then when it comes to the two outside linebackers lining up on the edges, these guys must have the size to set the edge against the run, first and foremost, but agile enough to actually at times drop into coverage, along with being savvy enough to blitz off the edge. And then, and then, when transitioning into a four-man front in nickel, also must have DeMarcus Ware/Micah Parsons type pass-rush skills to pressure quarterbacks.
The Cowboys have not been built like this, so keep in mind hard to qualify spending $47 million a year on a pure pass rusher, or for that matter some 250-pound defensive end in the first round of the upcoming draft uncapable of being a three-down player. Thus, means don't be looking for guys in this draft with only a bunch of sacks. Need football players, and those interested in muddying it up against the run.
So out the door goes talented 3-technique defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, 6-2, 285 soaking wet. Not big enough to be one of those hulking defensive ends but talented enough to reap a much-desired third-round draft choice in the trade from San Francisco, the $16 million of dead money on the salary cap be ignored.
Also out the door goes capable veteran defensive tackle Solomon Thomas, another 3-technique type at 6-3, 285 before drying off. The trade with Tennessee only improved Dallas' seventh-round draft stock to the No. 2 spot.
But here comes the size. The Cowboys sign Otito Ogbonnia, his 6-4, 320-pound frame screaming nose tackle. Then last year's trade qualifying Quinnen Williams to man one of those defensive end spots. He's listed at 6-2, 303. Big and strong enough to play inside, but athletic enough to transition into a four-man front inside on nickel.
Same with Kenny Clark, and at 6-3, 314, versatile enough to play up front as one of those defensive ends in the 3-4, or at times move inside to nose tackle, where he was playing lastly in Green Bay before the trade. And we witnessed his pass-rush skills this past season, so again, a defensive tackle, too, in the four-man nickel front.
And let's not forget the Cowboys have hung on to – at least for now – last year's seventh-round draft choice Jay Toia. For sure his size matters, a most fitting 6-2, 340 before he showers.
Then one more piece to this seven-man front: Trading a fourth-round draft choice in 2027 for Green Bay's Rashan Gary, at 6-5, 277, skilled enough to rush the quarterback – see his 24½ sacks the past three seasons – but solid enough, and maybe most importantly willing enough to play one of those two outside linebacker spots in the four part of the 3-4 against the run.
As for the other on the outside, we'll see but remember Ezeiruaku was one of the Cowboys' best run-stoppers at defensive end last year, at but 255 pounds. And he sure does have pass-rush skills, see his 42 QB pressures his rookie season, though he'll have to return from a labrum cleanup hip surgery. There also is potential with re-signed defensive end Sam Williams if he'll understand his outside run-stopping responsibilities setting the edge.
This all reminds me of 2005 when head coach Bill Parcells, who had been champing at the bit to move on from a 4-3 defensive scheme and personnel he inherited in 2003 to eventually a 3-4. Think of what the Cowboys accomplished in that 2005 draft. At No. 11, enter DeMarcus Ware, the outside linebacker, pass rusher extraordinaire. Then at No. 20, welcome Marcus Spears, inserted into the 3-4 as a defensive end.
Then how fortuitous was this: With their second fourth-round draft choice, after first taking running back Marion Barber with the first of those two, they land another 3-4 body type in defensive end Chris Canty, a potential first-round draft choice falling that far because of a severe eye injury suffered prior to the draft. And on top of all that, with the 224th pick in the draft, seventh-rounder Jay Ratliff enters, and no one was sure if he was a defensive end, four-man front defensive tackle or if he could play the nose in that three-man front. Became a four-time Pro Bowl nose tackle who transitioned into a defensive tackle in the four-man front.
And to man the outside, there was Ware and a begrudging Greg Ellis, who Parcells moved a from a 4-3 defensive end into a 3-4 linebacker. Ellis eventually earned his lone Pro Bowl berth playing outside in what was an uncomfortable position for him.
That transition worked. The Cowboys now must hope for a repeat.
To me, though, there still is one important position void. This after the restructure in the secondary, too, first bringing on versatile free agent safety Jalen Thompson. He spent the past seven season with the Cardinals as a guy capable of playing deep safety, box safety or even moving into the slot on nickel. Then comes safety P.J. Locke from Denver, another versatile safety and crack special teams player.
And just Friday morning, the Cowboys agreed to terms with another free agent defensive back, former Rams 15-game starter from 2025 Cobie Durant, a potential cornerback starter or slot corner starter on the nickel. He adds to a CB group that includes DaRon Bland, Shavon Revel, Caelen Carson, Reddy Steward and Trikweze Bridges.
All these moves not breaking the salary cap bank.
That's good because seems one void remains:
A pure middle linebacker in the middle part of the four in that 3-4. Sure, one of those inside spots will be manned by DeMarvion Overshown, finally finishing his third NFL season totally healthy, No. 0 carrying great expectations. But who's next … to him in the middle.
At this point, TBD.
Need a true middle linebacker, a Sean Lee/Leighton Vander Esch sort. Not some projected imposter, nor a move inside out of necessity. Ideally a veteran, maybe someone like Bobby Okereke, a seven-year player having started for the Colts and Giants in 95 of 110 games played in the NFL. Over the last five seasons, Okereke has played 80 of those games, starting 79.
Or the Cowboys must be looking at a true middle linebacker in this upcoming draft, and there are a couple three of those projected first-round talents. Just someone capable of reading offenses, communicating adjustments, relaying play calls, owning good instincts and having the keen eyes to quickly diagnose plays.
Asking for a lot, but no more than necessary since the defensive reupholstering is going on under interior designer Parker, who slowly but seemingly surely is piecing this Humpty Dumpty-fallen defense back together again.
As Gary sees it, with seven NFL seasons under his belt, "When you talk to CP, he knows ball. Coverages, fronts, the ins and outs, understanding the weakness of offenses and understanding where to put players to succeed. And that's what I got from the conversation that I had with him.
"And that's why he has the position that he has now."
Being given the authority to size things up.
