Dallas Cowboys: 5 offseason needs in 2020

FRISCO, TEXAS - JANUARY 08: (L-R) Executive Vice President Stephen Jones of the Dallas Cowboys, Head coach Mike McCarthy of the Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones talk with the media during a press conference at the Ford Center at The Star on January 08, 2020 in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 20: Leighton Vander Esch #55 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates a tackle with Jaylon Smith #54 during the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles in the game at AT&T Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

2. Rectify the Cowboys’ defensive issues

It was a unit thought to be on the rise. Loaded with young talent, most notably at linebacker, the Cowboys’ defense was finally proving to be a perfect complement for the team’s power attack.

In 2018, then-coordinator Ron Marinelli’s unit finished seventh in the league in fewest yards allowed. And only four teams surrendered fewer yards on the ground. But a closer look at the numbers showed that when this unit matched up with some of the better offensive lines in the league, the Cowboys had their issues. That came to fruition in the NFC Divisional Playoffs when the Los Angeles Rams rolled up 273 yards rushing.

This past season, it was more a matter of consistency than decline. And now the franchise has some decisions to make in terms of potential free agents. The 2019 team sack leader, Robert Quinn, is one of five defensive linemen who could test the market. Cornerback Byron Jones and veteran linebacker Sean Lee are also on the list.

The bottom line is that this defense did not build on its 2018 showing. And it’s going to be intriguing to see where this unit it headed under a new coordinator.

Next: No. 1

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