#OTANSWERS: THESE COWBOYS ALLOW TEAM TO DREAM OF WHAT'S POSSIBLE ON DEFENSE

The mission for the Cowboys’ defensive line in 2025 is clear: tighten up the run defense and unleash a wave of young pass rushers that opposing quarterbacks won't know how to handle. It’s an ambitious goal—but one that feels within reach.  

This unit has to pull it off while adjusting to their third defensive coordinator in three years and breaking a long-standing habit of chasing sacks over doing their jobs. If they can trade freelancing for discipline and pair it with the talent already on hand, this front could go from volatile to dominant in a hurry.

(Jessica Tobias - FR172197 AP)

Plenty have noticed the Cowboys haven’t had this kind of depth in years. But what makes this moment different is the explosive young upside we’re seeing now at OTAs—flashes of speed, power, and a hunger to prove something. Bill Parcells famously said he liked to stack defensive linemen like club sandwiches—and for the first time since he was here, they’ve done just that.

Hit The Turbo Button On Second-Round Edge Rushers: The Payoff Year

The Cowboys have taken edge defenders in the second round three straight years.

That investment’s about to start paying dividends. Probably.

The upside if one of these QB hunters hits creates a schematic problem the Mockingjay would have a hard time solving—elite pressure coming from three different locations.

Mr. Announcer man, do we have one breakout pass rusher in here?

Donovan Ezeiruaku, the reigning ACC Defensive Player of the Year, was a gift at 56 overall. With a 90.0 pass rush grade and 83.6 run defense, he’s already flashing in OTAs. Right now, he’s a rotational piece—but he looks like a guy you can’t keep off the field. Don’t be surprised if he’s All-Rookie and chasing more hardware.

Marshawn Kneeland, last year’s third-round pick, isn’t flashy, but he’s strong at the point and dependable. He’ll help stabilize the front when teams try to run right at them and showed more pass rush moves in his rookie year than he did in college so don’t give up on that yet.  He has pop.

Sam Williams might be the sleeper. Coming off a knee injury, he’s under the radar—but let’s not forget he ran a 4.46 at 261 lbs at the 2022 combine. His 2023 film showed he needed to mature. But that twitchy first step, natural bend, and relentless motor? If he’s healthy, he’s a problem.

Kudos to the Cowboys giving themselves several chances to connect with another game changing pass rusher.  I don’t know if I’d bet on any one of these guys to break out, but I would definitely bet at least one hits.  And oh yeah, with Overshown returning by Thanksgiving at the latest, you are reaching the point of it being too much for opposition to account for while still threatening down field in anything but max protect.

Veteran Depth: Smart Shopping

The front office deserves credit—they didn’t just bet on youth getting better. They added vets who’ve played ball the right way and give them a better chance of executing game plans against teams the best route through Dallas going thru and around their overeager pass rushers.

• Solomon Thomas will rotate at multiple spots and has the full endorsement of new defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton.

  
  

• Payton Turner, the former first-rounder, brings size and pass-rush juice.

  
  

• Dante Fowler Jr. returns after a solid year under Dan Quinn in Washington. His PFF run defense grade (50.0) isn’t great, but Bryan Broaddus says the tape’s better—and that’s good enough for me.

  
  

1-Tech Question Mark

Can someone step up at 1-tech? That’s one of the bigger stories we’re tracking this summer.

There’s a bright light at the end of the training camp tunnel for Mazi Smith—we just don’t know if it’s the lights of AT&T Stadium or a terminal at DFW. His 2024 tape was rough. PFF had him graded near the bottom of the league in run defense. He’s still here because there aren’t two better options. Yet.

Jay Toia, the rookie from UCLA, is at least intriguing. College tape says he’s a space-eater with limited mobility—but when Mazi’s been that poor, the unknown is a welcome change.

My belief is they’ll pick up the phone and find an older guy who is strategically sitting out camp, whether that’s Linval Joseph or other.

Returning Starters

Micah Parsons is top-third in run defense leaguewide. Not bad, but not elite. If he locks in, he could be the best player in football. No fluff.

Osa Odighizuwa is a massive dub. His new deal came in around 25% under market—team-friendly and well earned. He’s been relentless and productive. Now it’s time to take that run defense from average to dominant.

Hopefuls with a Shot

• Tommy Akin

  
  

• Justin Rogers (7th round, 2024): Didn’t log enough snaps for a grade, but he’s 346 lbs of raw power. Short-yardage plug option.

  
  

• Tyrus Wheat: 260-pound edge with juice. Pass rush > run defense. 59.3 pass rush grade in 2024.

  
  

• Earnest Brown IV: Aubrey, TX native. Few snaps with Tampa last year. 59.0 run defense grade. Could stick as a depth piece.

  
  

• Luiji Vilain: 6'4", 252, out of Wake Forest. Multiple practice squads under his belt—now trying to make it real in Dallas.

  
  

The Cowboys’ defensive line might not be finalized, but the foundation is better than it’s been in years. With veterans adding stability and young guns flashing upside daily at OTAs, there’s reason to believe this group can become one of the most dangerous in football.

Training camp will reveal who’s rising and who’s just along for the ride. Either way—it's time to find out who’s ready to earn the right to rush.