The Dallas Cowboys defense has been questionable in many of their games this past season. Most notably, the Cowboys failed to secure a win in their wild card playoff game against the Green Bay Packers. A majority of that loss stems from their inability to stop the run game. Aaron Jones was able to produce 118 yards and three touchdowns. However, there’s hope for a change this season. Here are the five players on the Dallas Cowboys defense to watch this training camp and preseason.
5 Players To Watch This Training Camp
1. Marshawn Kneeland – DE
The Dallas Cowboys defense has been in major need of a player like Marshawn Kneeland. In his last college season at Western Michigan, Kneeland managed to get 4.5 sacks last season. Kneeland has proved himself to be an incredible, all-around defensive player. His statistics also brag at 57 tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss, and two forced fumbles in that season. With the Dallas Cowboys defense in need of a consistently great defensive player, it looks perfect for Kneeland to fill that spot.
2. Eric Kendricks – LB
Eric Kendricks is a player who maintains his stats year in and year out. Even switching teams does not seem to diminish his star potential. Last season, he played with the Los Angeles Chargers. During that season, he managed 117 tackles, 79 of those being solo tackles. Kendricks also managed 3.5 sacks and nine tackles for a loss.
Managing over 1,000 tackles in his career, Kendricks brings to Dallas the ability to know where the ball is going. While adding much new talent on the defensive side of the ball, it’ll be important to have a veteran like Kendricks on the field. Because Kendricks will be working with his old Defensive Coordinator, Mike Zimmer, there’s even more hope for the future of the Cowboys defense.
3. Mazi Smith – DT
After one year with the Cowboys, Mazi Smith has not been too effective. He played in every game this past season but produced unimpressive stats. Smith only managed 13 tackles and one sack this past season. If anything, this preseason and training camp will give Smith the ability to prove his worth to the team and to improve.
As the 2023 26th overall draft pick, Smith’s journey has been highly anticipated and yet uneventful. In college at Michigan in 2022, Smith managed 49 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble, showing a significant difference at least in tackles produced. It’s to be determined on whether Smith will get another season with the Cowboys if he doesn’t stack up this year.
4. Osa Odighizuwa – DT
After a standout season, Osa Odighizuwa is looking to continue his upward trend in being necessary for the Dallas Cowboys defense. This past season, Odighizuwa produced 46 total tackles, 26 of those being solos. He also managed three sacks and created 9.5 tackles for a loss, taking away 21 yards for the offense. He’s also been progressively getting better since he was added to the team, as his tackles have increased season after season. The hope this year is that Odighizuwa will be able to dominate even more and help be a steady tackle for this defense.
5. Durrell Johnson – DE
Coming into the NFL after a year in free agency, Durrell Johnson will have a lot of eyes on him this upcoming season. The last time Johnson played football was in his 2022 collegiate season with Liberty. That season was a dynamic one for Johnson, as he achieved 58 tackles, 39 of those being solos, disrupted four passes, had nine sacks, forced a fumble, and caught an interception. If he can replicate these abilities, he could be a player to watch. If he can’t, then he could be cut before the season even begins.
The Cowboys Schedule
Dallas is in for a rough season this year. Their opener is against the Cleveland Browns, who are welcoming back a hopefully healthy Deshaun Watson, as well as old teammate Amari Cooper. Their next six games are nothing to glance past either, including very tough offenses like that of the Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, and San Francisco 49ers.
In other words, the Dallas Cowboys’ defense is going to be tested over and over again. Which is a good thing because as Bear Bryant used to say, “offense wins games–defense wins championships”. With three seasons of going 12-5, the team is ready to stop being a playoff choke and win some of those sought after titles.
Main Image: Tim Heitman – USA Today Sports
