The starting defensive line of the Cowboys was unveiled in 2023.

The starting defensive line of the Cowboys was unveiled in 2023.

Part 11 of 17 of 2024 Roster Review: Beginning Defensive Line. To read every piece in this series, click this link.

In 2023, the Dallas Cowboys’ pass rush was one of the NFL’s most feared, if not the most.

Sadly for Dallas, rival offenses discovered the weak point in the defensive line. The run was unstoppable.

After 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams injured linebacker Leighton Vander Esch on a dirty play, the problem grew worse.

The Cowboys’ middle linebacker, Vander Esch, was able to fortify the center of the defense against the run. Dallas had no options up the middle once he was lost for the season.

And their rivals were only too glad to seize the opportunity.

The preseason weight loss of rookie linebacker Mazi Smith and the abundance of small-boned linebackers who replaced Vander Esch proved to be disastrous.

Osa Odighizuwa and Jonathan Hankins, two defensive tackles for Dallas, did put in strong performances. They could not, however, play every down.

Neither Smith nor Neville Gallimore could equalize their effort when they were hit. Mostly, the defensive ends played well, with Micah Parsons covering all areas of the line.

This is the 2023 performance of the starting four.

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