Enhancing Run Defense: The Dallas Cowboys’ Strategic Focus for 2024
As the Dallas Cowboys gear up for the 2024 NFL season, a pivotal area of focus for their defense will be stopping the run. The linebacker position is crucial for this improvement, especially with the impending retirement of veteran Leighton Vander Esch. In response, the Cowboys have signed linebacker Eric Kendricks, who brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the squad. Kendricks is expected to mentor younger linebackers like Damone Clark and DeMarvion Overshown, helping them develop their skills. While this signing addresses a significant need, the Cowboys may also benefit from adding further depth through the upcoming draft to strengthen this position even more.

Exploring Draft Options: Potential Linebacker Prospects for the Cowboys
If the Cowboys decide to adopt a best-player-available strategy in the draft, they may have the opportunity to select talented linebackers such as Edgerrin Cooper from Texas A&M, Ty’Ron Hopper from Missouri, or Junior Colson from Michigan. These players could significantly bolster the defense. However, the selection will depend on their availability and the Cowboys’ needs at other positions. If the top picks do not align with their strategy, the Cowboys might have to wait until the later rounds to find additional talent. Here, we explore three promising linebacker options that could be available in rounds 5 through 7.

Curtis Jacobs: A Promising Linebacker from Penn State

The Dallas Cowboys have a history of successfully drafting linebackers from Penn State, having previously selected notable players like Sean Lee and Micah Parsons. Adding Curtis Jacobs in the 5th or 6th round could yield another success story. Jacobs showcased impressive athleticism at the combine, posting a 4.58-second 40-yard dash, a 35-inch vertical leap, and a long jump of 10 feet 4 inches. He also engaged in informal discussions with the Cowboys during the event. In his final two seasons at Penn State, Jacobs was recognized as the Defensive Player of the Game on three occasions by his coaching staff, highlighting his impact on the field.

Jacobs possesses exceptional instincts, consistently being around the ball during defensive plays. His speed and explosiveness enable him to disrupt plays in the backfield, often evading offensive linemen before they can react. However, this same aggressiveness can sometimes lead him to overcommit and miss tackles. Additionally, Jacobs contributed significantly on special teams at Penn State, and he could enhance the Cowboys’ special teams unit early in his NFL career as a versatile asset for coach “Bones” Fassel. While there is still considerable room for growth in Jacobs’ game, selecting him later in the draft could prove to be a highly valuable decision for the Cowboys.

Trevin Wallace: An Athletic Linebacker from Kentucky

Trevin Wallace from Kentucky turned heads at the combine with an impressive athletic rating of 86, positioning him as the top linebacker according to NFL Next Gen Stats. His skill set, athleticism, and potential to make a significant impact in the NFL are undeniable. Over the past two seasons at Kentucky, Wallace recorded 134 total tackles, 8 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 3 interceptions. In his freshman year, he earned a spot on the All-SEC Freshman Team in 2021, showcasing his immediate impact on the field.

Wallace is adept at reading plays, allowing him to position himself strategically to make vital tackles, and his speed enables him to close in on ball carriers effectively. However, his inconsistency has led to a lower draft ranking compared to other linebackers. The Cowboys have expressed interest in Wallace, scheduling a top 30 visit with him, according to Nicole Hutchinson of DallasCowboys.com. If selected by the Cowboys, Wallace has the potential to become a valuable rotational linebacker and a contributor on special teams, thereby enhancing the overall depth of the Cowboys’ defense.

Nathaniel Watson: A Defensive Force from Mississippi State

Given that strengthening run defense is a top priority for the Cowboys in 2024, Nathaniel Watson from Mississippi State emerges as a potentially high-value choice in the later rounds of the draft. Watson is known for his physical and gritty style of play, making it challenging for opposing runners to break past him. In his last two seasons at Mississippi State, he amassed 250 total tackles, 16 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 2 interceptions. In 2015, he was honored as the AP SEC Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the only player to lead the SEC in both tackles and sacks in the same season, showcasing his elite performance.

At the recent combine, Watson clocked a 4.63-second 40-yard dash, recorded a 31-inch vertical leap, and achieved a long jump of 9 feet 3 inches. While his athleticism may not match some of the other linebackers in the draft, which could impact his coverage skills, his strong run-stopping ability makes him a valuable asset. If the Cowboys were to draft Watson, he would likely need to prove himself and work his way up the depth chart to demonstrate that he can be a reliable contributor alongside the other linebackers on the roster.