In our last edition of the roster rundown, we discussed the defensive tackles and how they will fit in to improve the defense. Now we move on to the defensive ends. The one area the team should excel at overall is rushing the passer, specifically from the edges. Although losing DeMarcus Lawrence to free agency does take some wind out of their sails, the Cowboys have done a good job of replenishing the position and have good prospects on deck ready to step up to the plate. Today we examine the Cowboys at edge rusher.
Micah Parsons
Micah Parsons checks off every box you want in a pass rusher. He has elite speed and quickness that allows easy paths against guards and centers when isolated pass rushes. Also, his power is underrated especially when rushing from the interior. Once he’s got a path to the quarterback, it’s over. Parsons has phenomenal closing speed and flexibility to retrace back to the quarterback once he has left the pocket.
Most importantly for Parsons, is the unpredictability of where he lines up once the defense breaks the huddle. It places so much pressure on the opposing team’s blocking assignments to make sure he’s properly accounted for. At only 26 years old, Parsons has been named to four Pro Bowls, and three All-Pro Teams. The only questions that remain are can he be the leader to turn the defense into a championship-caliber one and how much money the Cowboys will pay him? We may learn the answers to both in 2025.
Dante Fowler
After a brief stint with the Washington Commanders, Dante Fowler is back with the Cowboys on a one-year, $6M contract with $5M being guaranteed. It’s a great deal for the Cowboys because Fowler has shown he has a lot left in the tank. Last season he had 10.5 sacks and one would have expected that Fowler would have had a busier market after such a season, but it’s the Cowboys who benefit, signing Fowler to a team-friendly contract. It’s anyone’s guess if he will warrant the number of snaps he did with the Commanders, but he has shown to be productive with the playing time he receives over the past three seasons. You can expect that in a contract
