Dallas City News

The Dallas Cowboys are facing the proverbial fork in the road. When everyone believed the Cowboys should have geared up to stay in the arms race with the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers, the Cowboys opted to keep the course. Yet, Dallas let several of its veterans leave for free agency while trying to replenish their roster with draft picks. This has left many of their younger veterans having to be relied on for big years with little room for regression. Here are a few players to take a step forward in 2024.

Mazi Smith

Mazi Smith was the team’s top pick in last year’s draft and his selection was a change in philosophy. The Cowboys knew they needed to fortify their run defense, and added Smith in the first round was spending a premium resource on addressing a necessity rather than scrambling for spare parts. Smith came to the Cowboys as a defensive tackle who excelled at stuffing the run and dominating interior offensive linemen with his power while having enough quickness to provide some pass rush upside.

However, things didn’t go as planned for Smith as he saw minimal action in his first season, playing only 26% percent of the defensive snaps. In total, Smith had just 13 tackles, three for a loss, and one sack. Smith also lost weight, slimming down the two-gapper to fit better in Dan Quinn’s scheme. After losing Jonathan Hankins to the Seattle Seahawks in free agency, the time is now for Smith to step up and occupy that role to fortify the rush defense. Smith needs to respond in a big way for himself and the team in his sophomore season.

Terence Steele

Terence Steele’s expectations have always been high, even when starting as an undrafted rookie in place of La’el Collins. The team supported Steele, taking the good with the bad. Overall, Steele has become a good run blocker throughout his career. Yet, what draws the ire of many is his intermittent troubles with pass protection. After sustaining an ACL injury in 2022, the Cowboys again stood by Steele and gave him a massive five-year, $86.8 million contract extension. At the time, the contract raised eyebrows, and now, after last season, it raises blood pressure.

Steele once again had troubles in pass protection, and the hope is that he can right his wrongs in 2024. The Cowboys’ offensive line is in transition. Yes, Tyler Smith is an excellent left guard, but two rookies, Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe, likely will start at left tackle and center, respectively. This could also be Zack Martin’s final year with the Cowboys. Dallas would be much better off with some semblance of reliable consistency from Terence Steele, as the offensive line has too many burners on the stove running at different temperatures. Yet, if Steele can simmer things down, the Cowboys offensive line and quarterback Dak Prescott can have things cooking again.

Damone Clark

Damone Clark played okay at linebacker last year, but for the Dallas run defense to really shine, he needs to up his game. The linebacker position for the Cowboys has a lot to prove this season. Under former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, the Cowboys used safeties and linebackers interchangeably. With Mike Zimmer, that should change, and the personnel will be more traditional, making linebackers vital for the team’s success on defense. Eric Kendricks, who has a prior relationship with Zimmer, will lead the position group, but it’s a big question mark after that.

Rookie Marist Liufau and second-year player DeMarvion Overshown, who is returning from injury, will also be in the mix, but the experienced Clark will be a vital cog in the defense. Clark was sometimes slow to diagnose runs, leaving significant opportunities for opposing offenses last season. He has many tools to work with but needs to take a leap in his third season. Clark and Kendricks have NFL experience and will be counted on to solidify the revamped position group.