What’s Next? Dallas’ Interior Defensive Line is on Shaky Ground
The Dallas Cowboys have long been considered one of the NFL’s most talented teams, consistently contending for playoff spots year after year. However, one area that has caused concern for the team in recent seasons is their interior defensive line. While the Cowboys have boasted a strong defensive unit overall, particularly with standout players like Micah Parsons, their interior defensive line has been a source of instability. As the team moves forward into the 2025 season and beyond, the question arises: what’s next for Dallas’ interior defensive line?
In the NFL, the importance of a strong interior defensive line cannot be overstated. The line plays a pivotal role in both stopping the run and creating pressure on the quarterback. Whether it’s anchoring against powerful offensive lines or collapsing the pocket, the interior defensive line is crucial to a defense’s success. For the Cowboys, this has been an area where consistency has been lacking. With questions surrounding both the current roster and the potential for future moves, it’s vital to take a deep dive into the state of Dallas’ interior defensive line, the players currently filling those roles, and what the team can do to improve moving forward.
Current State of Dallas’ Interior Defensive Line
To understand where the Cowboys stand with their interior defensive line, it’s important to first evaluate the key players who make up this unit. Currently, the Cowboys’ defensive line features a mixture of veterans, rookies, and players who have shown flashes of potential but have struggled with consistency. Over the years, Dallas has leaned heavily on players like Osa Odighizuwa, Neville Gallimore, and Quinton Bohanna to fill these crucial roles. However, while all of these players have had their moments, none have truly cemented themselves as game-changers on the inside.
Osa Odighizuwa has been one of the more reliable contributors in recent years. Drafted in 2021, Odighizuwa has developed into a solid defensive tackle, showing an ability to get after the quarterback and disrupt plays in the backfield. His ability to generate pressure, particularly as a pass rusher, has made him a valuable asset to the Cowboys. However, while Odighizuwa has been effective at times, he has yet to consistently dominate the interior, especially against the run.
On the other hand, Neville Gallimore, a former third-round pick from 2020, has been something of an enigma. Gallimore showed promise during his rookie season, but he has yet to find consistent success at the NFL level. His athleticism and size are undeniable, but he has struggled with both discipline and technique at times, preventing him from fully capitalizing on his potential. While Gallimore has flashed at times, he has not been able to solidify a starting spot on the interior line.
Quinton Bohanna is another player in the mix. Known for his size and physicality, Bohanna offers the Cowboys a true nose tackle, someone who can help clog up running lanes and keep offensive linemen from getting to the second level. However, Bohanna has not shown the ability to be a major factor as a pass rusher, and his limited skill set could make him a liability in certain situations, particularly when facing high-powered offenses that require more than just gap-filling presence on the interior.
Beyond these three, the Cowboys have not made significant moves to shore up the interior defensive line. While players like Johnathan Hankins and Chauncey Golston have seen some playing time and have the potential to contribute, neither has been able to establish themselves as a consistent force. Additionally, injuries have been an ongoing concern for some of these players, further complicating the picture for Dallas’ defensive front.
The Problem: Inconsistency and Lack of Dominance
The central issue with the Cowboys’ interior defensive line is not necessarily a lack of talent, but rather the inconsistency that has plagued the unit. A strong defensive line requires players who can dominate in both the passing and running game, creating pressure on quarterbacks while also clogging up running lanes. In the case of the Cowboys’ interior defenders, they have yet to show that they can consistently be a force in either area.
While Odighizuwa has flashed as a pass rusher, he has not been able to consistently generate the kind of pressure that would make opposing quarterbacks uncomfortable in the pocket. Gallimore, on the other hand, has struggled with consistency in both pass-rushing situations and stopping the run. His inability to consistently control the line of scrimmage has been a major issue for the Cowboys. Meanwhile, Bohanna’s role as a traditional run-stuffer has limited his ability to be effective on passing downs, which leaves Dallas with a rather one-dimensional approach in the middle of the defensive line.
Another problem lies in the depth behind these starters. While players like Gallimore and Bohanna have shown promise, the Cowboys have not had much success in developing a reliable rotation of interior defensive linemen. This depth issue has been especially apparent when injuries hit, leaving the Cowboys with fewer options to rotate and stay fresh up front. Without a deep, multi-dimensional rotation, Dallas has struggled to generate the pressure and stops they need from the interior line.
What’s Next for the Cowboys’ Interior Defensive Line?
Given the current state of the Cowboys’ interior defensive line, it is clear that the team needs to make significant changes to this unit if they want to contend for a championship in the coming seasons. The interior defensive line plays a critical role in a defense’s ability to control the game, and without a dominant group in the middle, the Cowboys’ defense will continue to be limited.
Here are several potential moves and strategies the Cowboys can take to address the issues on their interior defensive line:
1. Pursuing a High-Impact Free Agent
One immediate avenue the Cowboys could explore is the free-agent market. There are several big-name defensive tackles available, and signing a high-impact player could provide the team with a much-needed boost. Players like Javon Hargrave, Fletcher Cox, and Da’Ron Payne are expected to be available in free agency, and any one of them could immediately provide the Cowboys with a game-changing presence in the middle of their defensive line. Bringing in a veteran who has proven ability against both the run and the pass could help solidify the unit and allow the team to focus on developing its younger players behind them.
2. Investing in the Draft
If the Cowboys don’t want to go the free-agent route, the next best option would be to focus on the NFL Draft. There is no shortage of talent in this year’s draft class, with several strong interior defensive linemen ready to make an impact at the next level. Players like Jalen Carter (Georgia), Mazi Smith (Michigan), and Kaleb Banks (Louisville) are all expected to be available in the upcoming draft and could provide an immediate upgrade for the Cowboys.
Dallas has often used the draft to develop its defense, and a high draft pick in 2025 could yield a talented interior defensive lineman who can make an immediate impact. Investing in the draft would also allow the Cowboys to add young, affordable talent to their roster and avoid overspending on veterans who may only have a few years left in the league.
3. Developing Current Players
Another option for the Cowboys is to double down on developing the talent they already have on the roster. While the team has struggled to get consistent play from players like Neville Gallimore and Quinton Bohanna, there is still hope that these players can develop into solid starters or reliable rotational pieces. With the right coaching, Gallimore and Bohanna could become more effective in their roles, particularly in the passing game, where they have both shown flashes of potential.
Dallas could also explore moving players around to better fit their skill sets. For example, Odighizuwa has been used as a pass rusher on occasion, but the team might experiment with him more in this capacity, looking to maximize his pass-rushing potential. Developing a more dynamic group of players would allow the Cowboys to build greater depth in the interior defensive line, making the unit more effective in all areas.
4. Trade Market Exploration
Finally, the Cowboys could look to the trade market for an immediate solution. While free agency and the draft are the primary avenues for adding talent, teams are sometimes willing to trade away established players to fill other needs. If there is a team looking to move an interior defensive lineman in the middle of the season or before the 2025 season, the Cowboys could consider making a trade to bolster their line. However, this would likely come at a higher cost in terms of draft picks or players, and the Cowboys would have to ensure that the player they acquire would be able to make a meaningful difference on the defensive line.
Conclusion: The Need for Immediate Action
In conclusion, the Dallas Cowboys’ interior defensive line is on shaky ground as the 2025 season approaches. While there is talent on the roster, there is still a significant gap between potential and performance. The team must make a concerted effort to improve this position, whether through free agency, the draft, or player development. Without a strong, dominant interior defensive line, the Cowboys will continue to face limitations in their quest for a Super Bowl. It’s time for the team to make the necessary moves to fortify this crucial area of their defense and take the next step toward championship contention. The clock is ticking, and the Cowboys need to act fast.
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