The Dallas Cowboys are facing a key challenge heading into the 2025 season: uncertainty on their interior defensive line. While the team has been solid in other areas, the defensive line’s interior remains a lingering concern. With the NFL evolving into a faster, more dynamic league, the importance of a stout and disruptive defensive line cannot be overstated. For Dallas, addressing their interior defensive line issues is crucial to maintaining their defensive prowess and ensuring long-term success.
The Importance of the Interior Defensive Line
Before diving into the specifics of Dallas’s current situation, it’s essential to understand why the interior defensive line is such a critical piece of the puzzle. The defensive line is often referred to as the “front seven,” which includes both the defensive tackles (DT) and defensive ends (DE). These players serve as the first line of defense, tasked with stopping the opposing team’s rushing attack and pressuring the quarterback.
For the Cowboys, the interior defensive line is responsible for clogging up running lanes, occupying offensive linemen, and applying pressure to quarterbacks. The importance of these tasks only intensifies in the modern NFL, where the balance between stopping the run and disrupting the pass has become increasingly vital. As teams adapt to spread offenses and faster tempos, defensive lines are asked to provide flexibility, power, and speed in both phases of defense.
The Cowboys’ Current Defensive Line Composition
As of now, the Cowboys have a mix of veteran players and young talent on their defensive front. At defensive tackle, they are looking for consistency from a combination of familiar faces and potential breakout performers. Here’s a look at the most notable players in the interior defensive line rotation:
- Mazi Smith (DT)
The 2023 first-round draft pick was expected to be a building block for the Cowboys’ defensive line. Standing at 6’3″ and weighing 323 pounds, Smith is a physical specimen with the ability to both stop the run and provide interior pressure. However, as a young player, his development has been slow, and his ability to become an elite disruptor on the interior is still a question mark. Smith showed flashes of potential during his rookie season, but the consistency needed to be a cornerstone of the defense is still in question. - Osa Odighizuwa (DT)
Odighizuwa has been a bright spot for the Cowboys in recent seasons, consistently being one of the most effective interior defenders. Known for his quickness and agility, he is a capable pass rusher and a strong run defender. However, his size and strength limitations have occasionally shown up against bigger offensive lines. Odighizuwa is best suited as a complementary player in a rotation, but the team will need him to elevate his play to make up for the lack of a true dominant force on the interior. - Neville Gallimore (DT)
Gallimore, who entered the league with high expectations, has had a somewhat underwhelming career so far. While he’s displayed solid moments, he’s struggled with consistency, and his ability to consistently disrupt plays has been questioned. With his contract set to expire soon, Gallimore’s future with the team is uncertain, and he’ll need to prove himself in 2025 if he wants to continue his tenure in Dallas. - Johnathan Hankins (DT)
Hankins, a veteran who was brought in for depth purposes, offers a reliable presence in the middle of the defensive line. Known for his run-stopping ability, Hankins is not much of a pass rusher. While he can be a solid rotational piece, the Cowboys need more out of their interior defensive line if they are to contend at a high level in the postseason. - Carlos Watkins (DT)
Watkins has been another rotational piece for the Cowboys and provides some versatility along the defensive line. His experience allows him to play different spots, but like Hankins, he is more of a depth player than a starter. His contributions, while valuable, aren’t likely to make a huge impact on a playoff-caliber defense.
The Problem of Uncertainty
As it stands, the Cowboys are lacking a true star in the middle of their defensive line. While there are some solid players on the roster, none have emerged as a dominant force who consistently takes over games. This uncertainty has led to questions about how the Cowboys can improve their defensive line going forward.
- Inconsistent Pressure
Without a dominant interior pass rusher, the Cowboys have struggled to generate consistent pressure from the inside. While their edge rushers, like Micah Parsons, are elite, the lack of interior pressure allows opposing quarterbacks to step up into the pocket or escape the rush. Teams can focus on neutralizing the edge rush by double-teaming or chipping Parsons and Demarcus Lawrence, leaving the Cowboys with limited interior pressure. The inability to collapse the pocket from the inside has hurt Dallas, especially against high-powered offenses that feature quick quarterbacks who can evade pressure. - Stopping the Run
The Cowboys’ interior defensive line has also been prone to allowing big runs, especially up the middle. When the defense is unable to clog up running lanes, teams can control the clock and dictate the tempo of the game. Against powerful running backs and offenses that rely on ball control, this is a major liability. The Cowboys must find a way to bolster their defensive line to prevent opponents from establishing a dominant ground game. - Age and Depth Concerns
With veterans like Hankins and Watkins on the roster, depth is a concern, especially if injuries arise. While these players are reliable in their own right, relying on older players as key contributors could spell trouble down the stretch. The Cowboys will need to add youth and energy to their defensive line to sustain a high level of play over a 17-game season.
Possible Solutions to the Cowboys’ Defensive Line Dilemma
The Cowboys’ front office will have to consider several options to address their interior defensive line woes. These potential solutions fall into two broad categories: internal development and external acquisitions.
1. Internal Development of Young Talent
The Cowboys have invested in young talent, and they’ll need to see these players take the next step in their development. Mazi Smith is the most obvious candidate, and the Cowboys will hope that he can develop into a dominant force on the interior. Smith’s combination of size and athleticism gives him a high ceiling, but the team must be patient and allow him to grow into his role. Similarly, players like Odighizuwa must continue to develop their skills to become a more complete player, capable of making plays in all aspects of the game.
The team might also explore adding more depth through the draft or undrafted free agency, looking for a player who can contribute right away or develop into a long-term starter.
2. External Acquisitions
If the Cowboys feel that their current players aren’t enough to compete at the highest level, they could look to bring in outside talent. In free agency, there may be a handful of experienced interior defensive linemen who can provide immediate help. These types of veterans can help solidify the defense while the younger players continue to develop.
Additionally, if the Cowboys are able to make moves via trade, they could acquire a high-profile interior defensive lineman who can make an instant impact. Such a move would require careful consideration of cap space and long-term goals, but adding a game-changing talent to the defensive line could be the spark the team needs.
3. Strategic Scheme Adjustments
Another potential solution is tweaking the defensive scheme to account for the lack of a dominant interior presence. Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has shown a knack for creative schemes, especially in his ability to get the most out of players. A more aggressive, blitz-heavy approach might help compensate for the lack of interior pressure, allowing the Cowboys to create chaos by getting pressure from other areas on the defense. A strong linebacker corps, combined with an attacking secondary, could also help mitigate any deficiencies up the middle.
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