Changes Cowboys Defense Must Make to Continue Improvement in 2022
The Dallas Cowboys defense was one of the most improved units in football last season, but the work isn't complete for defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.
In 2020, the defense was ranked 23rd in defensive efficiency, per ESPN's FPI rankings. With Quinn taking over for Mike Nolan in 2021, the Cowboys made the jump to a top-10 defense at No. 9.
While Quinn's scheme and use of personnel was an improvement along with the breakout rookie campaign of Micah Parsons, there were still weaknesses to strengthen in 2022.
For instance, the Cowboys were still one of the worst run defenses in the league. They had the ninth-worst yards per carry allowed, and they ceded 169 yards on the ground to the 49ers in their playoff loss.
Here are three changes they need to make in 2022 to keep things rolling under Quinn.
Replace Keanu Neal
The Cowboys can't be blamed for the Keanu Neal experiment. In a time where most of the league is pass-heavy and sub-packages are the norm on defense, it was a good idea to turn a former strong safety into a linebacker.
With Neal having experience in working with Quinn in Atlanta, it was worth a shot. The results have not justified the experiment to go on, though.
Neal was not a play-making presence. Outside of one sack and four tackles for a loss, he was practically a ghost. Even more disappointing is that he wasn't really an asset in coverage. As a former safety, one would expect him to be a good linebacker in coverage, but he gave up a 78.9 completion percentage when targeted.
Throw in the fact that he missed 15.3 percent of his tackles and you have a player who was a liability wherever he was lined up.
The linebacking corps continues to need new blood. Especially with Parsons being a part-time pass-rusher, the Cowboys have to replace Neal.
Replace Leighton Vander Esch
Neal isn't the only impending free-agent linebacker who shouldn't get another contract. The Cowboys should continue revamping the position group by finding another linebacker to replace Leighton Vander Esch.
After making the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2018, the Cowboys have seen diminishing returns in each year of his rookie contract.
On a per-game basis, Vander Esch posted a career-low in tackles while only posting one sack, one interception and two passes defended on the season. In short, he's not making plays, and he isn't a consistent enough run defender to justify bringing him back as a starter.
Jabril Cox should be able to replace some of the snaps from Neal and Vander Esch. He only played in seven games with a torn ACL but should be expected to contribute in his second year.
However, the Cowboys should be in on linebackers in the middle rounds of the draft. Someone like Darrian Beavers (scouting report) should be in consideration, and he could bring some excitement to the position group.
Beef Up the Interior
The Cowboys didn't have a single interior defender who ranked among Pro Football Focus' top 50 in the position.
That's a good indication as to why the Cowboys still couldn't stop the run. With few guys showing the ability to stand strong at the point of attack, it's hard for a run defense to work.
The big guys up front weren't much help in the passing game, either. Osa Odighizuwa led all defensive tackles with two sacks in his rookie season.
He has likely earned a spot in the rotation next season, but the Cowboys should be looking at the draft to add at least one more. This class has several guys who could fit the mold. Jordan Davis (scouting report), Logan Hall (scouting report) and Devonte Wyatt (scouting report) are in the top 32 of B/R's big board.
Travis Jones (scouting report) and Perrion Winfrey (scouting report) both had big weeks at the Senior Bowl. Winfrey was the MVP of the game, while Jones dominated at times in drills.
Making a draft investment in any of those guys could pay off in a big way.