It’s been a turbulent six weeks or so since the Dallas Cowboys shockingly announced they were trading star defensive end Micah Parsons to bitter NFC rivals, the Green Bay Packers, for two first-round picks and Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark.
While Parsons has already chalked up 1.5 sacks in his two outings for the Packers to date, the impressive Clark has also been the Cowboys best player at getting to the quarter-back with one of his own, along with six pressures.
However, the fact that he has been the biggest threat at creating that pressure from the interior of the Cowboys D-line has only highlighted how Matt Eberflus’ defensive ends have not been up to scratch through two games.
Losing Parsons was a monumental blow but one the Jones family were happy to push the button on. However, they also came to the realisation that outside pressure has suffered as a result and moved for one of the NFL’s biggest mercenaries in Jadeveon Clowney to plug that gap.
The former overall No.1 pick back in 2014 by the Cleveland Browns, Clowney is not the sack machine that Parsons was in Arlington but he’s still capable in that regard and a much better run stopper than the man he has now arguably replaced.
The Cowboys also struck a favourable deal, given how much the 32-year-old has commanded in the past, with Clowney costing them $3.5million, which could rise to $6m, on a one-year contract.
The timing is perfect for a Cowboys team who allowed Russell Wilson all day to throw for 450 yards and three touchdowns, as the New York Giants eventually succumbed to the boot of the super-human Brandon Aubrey in overtime last weekend.
Clowney, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, had 5.5 sacks last season with the Carolina Panthers but in 11 campaigns in total has 58 sacks, 139 quarterback hits, 409 tackles and 15 forced fumbles.
Once he gets fully up to speed, Clowney will almost certainly be utilised on 1st and 2nd downs in the hope of getting teams into long 3rd-down yardage, opening the door for the likes of Dante Fowler, who has been hugely disappointing so far, Sam Williams, 2nd-round draft pick Donovan Ezeiruaku and James Houston to then rush the passer.
Clowney lost some weight after being asked to drop into coverage while with the Panthers, but that won’t be the case with Dallas. He’ll have a seek and destroy remit under Eberflus, and that suits his game so much better.
Cowboys still need more defensive help
The Cowboys should not be done though when it comes to looking for extra pieces on a defence that looked good for a half in Philadelphia but has otherwise struggled – particularly through the air against the Giants.
Eberflus’ zone defence was picked to pieces by Wilson, who was meant to be shot but rolled back the years in Dallas as he dropped dime after dime with his deep throw ability threat.
Secondary help should be coming soon when Daron Bland returns from his injury and there is hope that 3rd-round draft pick Shavon Revel could be back by Week 5.
However, corner has been an issue for the Cowboys for a number of seasons in terms of getting their best three on the field all at the same time.
Add in the fact that there is a chance that Trevon Diggs might not even be with the Cowboys in 2026 and Jerry and Stephen Jones would be well advised to act now and bring in another quality performer in the secondary to help a pretty beleaguered group.
While the big emphasis on ‘stopping the run’ has been a success – up to now – teams have now seen that you can throw on these Cowboys, especially when there are pieces missing on the back end.
Dallas do have four first-round picks over the next two years, one of which will be pretty low judging by how the Packers have started this season.
But should they use one to bring in another elite defender who could make all the difference for first-time head coach Brian Schottenheimer this season?
The answer should be YES, with Jerry already hinting that could happen. So watch this space.
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