Blogging The Boys
The Dallas Cowboys have completed their OTAs, which makes it a good time to look at what an updated defensive depth chart could look like.
Over the last month or so, the Cowboys have had three days of rookie minicamp and nine scheduled OTAS. In that time, they’ve probably gone through most of the install of their playbooks and definitely went on a paintball trip.
In addition to being teaching sessions, the practices have also been evaluation sessions. And as these evaluations have been going on, the Cowboys depth chart has inevitably changed, some players started playing with the first team, some players moved up from the third team to the second team, others moved down in the depth charts. Not all practices have been open to the media, but there’s been enough information published to give us a better idea of what the team’s depth chart could look like.
As you review the depth charts below, keep in mind that none of the practices so far have been conducted in pads. More importantly, quite a few players have missed parts or all of OTAs with injuries, or because the OTAs are voluntary.
But before we dive into the depth charts and debate the names listed as starters or backups, let’s first take a look at how new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus likes to construct his defenses from a numbers point of view. Here’s what the opening-day rosters on defense looked like at his last two coaching gigs, as a DC with the Colts and as head coach with the Bears.
From year to year, those numbers aren’t far apart and suggest that the Cowboys will likely carry 9-10 defensive linemen, 5-6 linebackers, 10-11 defensive backs, probably with more corners than safeties - and there probably won’t be more than 25-26 spots for the defense.
Defensive Line
The Cowboys like to rotate their defensive linemen heavily during games, which makes the distinction between starter and backup perhaps a bit less clear than on other teams, especially on the edge. Right now, I have 10 lineman (marked in green) making the roster.
The Cowboys will likely go long at edge rusher, considering that both Marshawn Kneeland (meniscus) and Sam Williams (ACL) are recovering from injuries. At defensive tackle, it’s anybody’s guess if either of the two seventh-round DTs, Jay Toia and Tommy Akingbesote, make the final 53, or if the Cowboys pull the trigger on a veteran nose tackle sometime during camp.
Linebacker
The key to the depth chart at LB is of course DeMarvion Overshown. He’ll start the season on PUP, and may return around Thanksgiving, though that is far from a given. He’s penciled in below in red, but he’s not going to count against the 53 at the start of the season.
Damone Clark and Marist Liufau seem to have the backup spots locked up for now, the depth beyond them likely won’t be settled until training camp. Fifth-round pick Shemar James gets the nod here over second-year...
