Defensive Tackle

Could Nick Hayden Return to Dallas?

Last March the Cowboys elected to let three-year starter Nick Hayden walk away as a free agent. Always more of a coach’s darling than an analytics favorite, Hayden stuck around as long as he did for his work ethic and attitude over actual performance. The Cowboys finally decided they needed more and moved on. Hayden remains a free agent right now. Dallas signed Cedric Thornton from the Eagles to play beside Tyrone Crawford.

Photo of author

Written by: Jess Haynie

Published on:

Tyrone Crawford Needs to Reward Dallas’ Faith

Tyrone Crawford is a bit of an enigma for this Cowboys defense. He has a top-10 salary for defensive tackles and is one the highest-paid players in Dallas. The Cowboys had enough faith in Crawford to restructure his deal last March, decreasing their flexibility to release him down the road. Despite what his contract says, though, Crawford has yet to really perform at a top level. The circumstances aren’t his fault, but nevertheless the Cowboys have been paying and handling Crawford based on the expectation for what he will become.

Photo of author

Written by: Jess Haynie

Published on:

Could Maliek Collins be a Week 1 Starter?

This year Dallas selected Maliek Collins, a defensive tackle out of Nebraska, with their third-round pick. Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli was audibly excited about the selection, telling Collins that he “fit us to a T.” An immediate scheme fit is a great thing for any rookie, but especially with the opportunity that presents itself on the defensive line. With defensive ends DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory facing suspensions to start the year, Dallas will be looking for the best temporary solutions. They have several DE options in free agent addition Benson Mayowa and returning players David Irving, Jack Crawford, and Ryan Russell.

Photo of author

Written by: Jess Haynie

Published on:

Draft Film Review: Cowboys DT Maliek Collins

The defensive line issues for the Dallas Cowboys have been well documented this offseason. From injuries to suspensions to just overall poor play, there have been a ton of questions surrounding this unit. But after Tyrone Crawford’s surgery, the signing of free agent Cedric Thornton, and now the addition of former Nebraska Cornhusker Maliek Collins through the draft, the interior rotation of their defensive line seems to be in a good place. Collins was selected by the Cowboys in the third round with the 67th overall selection. He was the first of two defensive lineman selected, the second of which I have already broken down on Inside The Star:

Photo of author

Written by: Kevin Brady

Published on:

Cowboys Draft: Maliek Collins Adds Needed Depth at DT

The Dallas Cowboys finished their 4 win 2015 season with 31 sacks, causing the defensive end position to become a spot that was talked about by writers and fans endlessly leading up to free agency and the draft. Dallas did little to address the pass rush in the off season, signing only defensive tackle Cedric Thornton from the Eagles and restricted free agent defensive end Benson Mayowa from the Raiders. Still, the end position seemed at least somewhat stable, as the Cowboys prepared to bring back Randy Gregory off of injuries in 2016 to rush the passer opposite of breakout 2nd year player DeMarcus Lawrence. Suddenly, Gregory showed us all why the gifted rusher fell to the Cowboys in the 2nd round of the 2015 draft, when his drug issues re-emerged to land him a four game suspension entering 2016.  Cowboys Nation turned to DeMarcus Lawrence to emulate his 2015 output in 2016, if not improve on it, before he was hit with a pending four game suspension.

Photo of author

Written by: Sean Martin

Published on:

Cowboys Draft: Maliek Collins Adds Needed Depth at DT

The Dallas Cowboys finished their 4 win 2015 season with 31 sacks, causing the defensive end position to become a spot that was talked about by writers and fans endlessly leading up to free agency and the draft. Dallas did little to address the pass rush in the off season, signing only defensive tackle Cedric Thornton from the Eagles and restricted free agent defensive end Benson Mayowa from the Raiders. Still, the end position seemed at least somewhat stable, as the Cowboys prepared to bring back Randy Gregory off of injuries in 2016 to rush the passer opposite of breakout 2nd year player DeMarcus Lawrence. Suddenly, Gregory showed us all why the gifted rusher fell to the Cowboys in the 2nd round of the 2015 draft, when his drug issues re-emerged to land him a four game suspension entering 2016.  Cowboys Nation turned to DeMarcus Lawrence to emulate his 2015 output in 2016, if not improve on it, before he was hit with a pending four game suspension.

Photo of author

Written by: Sean Martin

Published on:

Cowboys on the Clock: Russell Maryland, #1 Overall

It’s finally here! The 2016 NFL draft will take place TOMORROW night, as we all watch in anticipation when the Dallas Cowboys come on the clock with the fourth overall pick. Back in 1991, that wait was a big shorter, as the Cowboys owned the first overall pick. They used this pick on a defensive tackle out of the University of Miami. Russell Maryland Maryland’s football career took some time to get off the ground, as he ended up at Miami after not being heavily recruited.

Photo of author

Written by: Sean Martin

Published on:

Cowboys on the Clock: Scott Appleton, #4 Overall

Twenty seven days ago, we embarked on a countdown towards the 2016 NFL draft here on Inside The Star. Cowboys on the Clock has taken a look at the most recent first round pick the team has made corresponding to the number of days remaining until the draft. While the number 4 certainly means a lot to Dallas in the upcoming draft, as they will be selecting with the fourth overall pick for just the second time, it did not carry all that much meaning back in 1964. Reason being, the player selected – Texas’ Scott Appleton – never saw a snap in the silver and blue. Scott Appleton Appleton’s rights were traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers following his selection by the Cowboys.

Photo of author

Written by: Sean Martin

Published on:

Cowboys on the Clock: Scott Appleton, #4 Overall

Twenty seven days ago, we embarked on a countdown towards the 2016 NFL draft here on Inside The Star. Cowboys on the Clock has taken a look at the most recent first round pick the team has made corresponding to the number of days remaining until the draft. While the number 4 certainly means a lot to Dallas in the upcoming draft, as they will be selecting with the fourth overall pick for just the second time, it did not carry all that much meaning back in 1964. Reason being, the player selected – Texas’ Scott Appleton – never saw a snap in the silver and blue. Scott Appleton Appleton’s rights were traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers following his selection by the Cowboys.

Photo of author

Written by: Sean Martin

Published on:

Cowboys on the Clock: Bob Lilly, #13 Overall

Welcome back to Cowboys on the Clock! In just 13 short days, the Dallas Cowboys will go on the clock with the 4th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. This means that in today’s profile, we will be taking a look at the team’s only ever selection … Read more

Photo of author

Written by: Sean Martin

Published on:

Prev Next