DeMarcus Lawrence spending more snaps inside seems like a great idea for the Cowboys
DeMarcus Lawrence has enjoyed quite the storied career with the Cowboys. Since being picked No. 34 overall in the 2014 draft, the nine-year vet has amassed 54.5 career sacks, 279 hurries, 249 solo tackles and 19 forced fumbles.
With All-Pro Micah Parsons now on roster, the days of Lawrence being Dallas’ top weapon are in the past. Parsons is knocking on the generational door, while Lawrence appears to be in the winter of his career.
Coming off his first Pro Bowl season in four years, Lawrence still has plenty in the tank, enough to be a major asset in 2023. He’s prided himself on playing the run and pass with equal fervor, and to this day appears to be one of the most well-rounded DEs in the NFL.
For as well as Lawrence is still playing, he’s facing a crowded position group on the Cowboys defensive line. Over the past few seasons, the Cowboys have built quite the formidable unit in Dallas. They’ve added developmental players, role players and veterans.
With so much talent at the end position, more snaps inside may be just what Lawrence needs to retain core player status on an increasingly crowded defensive line.
Whether he’s called an end or a linebacker, Parsons is the primary edge player of the Cowboys. He gets as many snaps off the EDGE as he can handle. Players like Lawrence, Dante Fowler Jr., Dorance Armstrong, Sam Williams, Chauncey Golston and possibly even Takk McKinley, split up the remaining opportunities.
While Fowler (28) and McKinley (27) are resigned to veteran rotational roles, Armstrong (25) and Williams (24) are ascending players who are possibly on the cusp of breakout seasons. Quinn’s unlikely to ever completely abandon his rotation on the line but it’s safe to say he’s interested in getting ample opportunities for his young and ascending players.
Things aren’t quite so crowded on the inside of the Dallas defensive line. The rookie Mazi Smith and Johnathan Hankins are virtual locks as the top two 1-tech tackles. While Osa Odighizuwa is the top player at 3-tech. After that the waters get murky.
In 2022, Quinn had Golston playing significant snaps inside. Playing a similar role to Odighizuwa, Golston provided depth for the Cowboys at 3-tech (189 of his 237 snaps were in the B-gap).
But even with Golston helping, Odighizuwa was forced to carry a heavy load late in the season. Of the last seven games (including playoffs), Odighizuwa was forced to play over 40 snaps five times. That’s not optimal for a 280-pound tackle.
In the same way, Quinn used Golston, he could use Lawrence. It would offer extra pressure from inside on passing downs while also giving Odighizuwa rest and Lawrence extra opportunities to get snaps.
The idea of reducing Lawrence inside on passing downs isn’t new. In 2021 specifically, 31 of Lawrence’s 271 snaps (eight percent) came from the B-gap. He was still primarily an end, but on select nickel downs he would slide inside and produce more pressure than the typical DT otherwise could.
Cowboys DE DeMarcus Lawrence aligned in a 4i-technique on his interception for a touchdown during last night's 56-14 win over Washington. Moving Lawrence inside on occasion continues to be one of DC Dan Quinn's most effective wrinkles. https://t.co/pTyREyFoSu pic.twitter.com/KwpD0yBAA4
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) December 27, 2021
Based on recent play, Lawrence still has much to offer the Cowboys. But with Williams on the rise going into his second season and a deep arsenal of end players to rotate, a few inside snaps each week may be beneficial to both Dallas and the 9-year veteran.
An offer for Cowboys fans
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