Here is a look at the state of the Cowboys edge rushers
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 year yet again, Fowler will look to put his foot forward.
Marshawn Kneeland
As a rookie, Marshawn Kneeland was off to a promising start. Early in training camp, Micah Parsons had this to say of the rookie:
“I think he’s going to be a great player,” Parsons said. “I’m giving him comps, I think he’s a young Cam Jordan. I think he has the talent and ability. He’s just so hungry every day, willing to learn and he has that dog in him. He has unteachable characteristics.”
“Sometimes you have rookies that come in here…and are reluctant. Marshawn came in right away asking questions.”
Kneeland has a lot of polish to his game for such a young player and has very good technique and strong hands. A knee injury forced him to spend some time on injured reserve, but he should be fully healthy for 2025. The team should feel good about his potential. Again, especially with Lawrence now in Seattle, it’s time for Kneeland and his other counterparts to step up.
Sam Williams
The key for Sam Williams is staying on the field and maintaining focus while there, and away from it. In 2023, he had some off-the-field troubles that had to be addressed, and has a penchant to commit undisciplined penalties. In two healthy seasons, Williams has committed 12 penalties (10 accepted), four of which were unnecessary roughness. Further complicating matters for Williams is that he is returning from an ACL injury in 2024, and is in the last year of his contract. Williams has to have the most consistent year of his career if he hopes to make a lasting impression. Williams could become a face in the crowd with the other pass rushers around him and the return of Dante Fowler.
Donovan Ezeiruaku
Donovan Ezeiruaku is arguably the best pick of the Cowboys’ draft. His length as a pass rusher is exceptional with 34-inch arms but also has terrific flexibility to capture the edge around offensive tackles. Not only that, Ezeiruaku is very adept at converting his speed to power to drive back offensive linemen. He could be the best value of the Cowboys draft solely based on his potential and warrant significant playing time as a rookie. It’ll be very exciting to see his 1-on-1 reps in training camp versus Tyler Guyton to get a barometer of both players.
Payton Turner
Before he was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round in the 2021 draft, Payton Turner was a late riser. Boasting a 6’6”, 270 lb. frame, the Saints were expecting Turner to be a cornerstone for the future. However, that was been nowhere near close to coming to fruition. While Turner experienced injuries in 2023 that caused him to miss 13 games, he never started a single game with the Saints despite being taken in the first round. Turner comes to Dallas on a modest one-year, $2M contract hoping to turn things around. Turner is a really good athlete that can be used on twists and stunts. Also, his length may contribute to special teams on the field goal unit. The Cowboys have a lot of depth at the edge rusher spot so Turner will have to make the most of what may be limited opportunity.
