Dallas Cowboys: Full Position Breakdown and Depth-Chart Analysis at DE

The position at which the Dallas Cowboys set out to improve this offseason was defensive end. Last year, the Cowboys got abysmal production from their defensive ends, and they failed to get the job done when they needed it most. 

Just take a look at the playoff game against the Green Bay Packers. Aaron Rodgers was hampered by injury, but the Cowboys still failed to get much pressure on Rodgers and take advantage of the injured superstar. 

Knowing this, the Cowboys made the controversial move to sign the troubled star pass-rusher Greg Hardy in free agency. Say what you want about his off-field issues, but on the field, Hardy is one of the best defensive ends in the NFL. 

That move alone bolstered the Cowboys defensive end unit considerably. However, Hardy was suspended for 10 games by the NFL, pending an appeal. This meant that the Cowboys would still have a huge hole on their defense for a large chunk of the season. 

That's when the Cowboys turned their sights to the NFL draft and were able to pick Randy Gregory at pick No. 60. This move made the defensive end position turn from a weakness to a possible strength this year. 

With that being said, let's take a more in-depth look at the defensive end depth chart and see how it stacks up for the 2015 season. 

Greg Hardy

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Without delving into his off-field issues, Hardy is a game-changing type of talent on the defensive line. Most defensive ends are very singular in the ways that they can beat offensive linemen. They either win with speed or power; very few players have the technical maturity and athleticism to do both.

Hardy is a part of that special group who can win with speed around the corner or execute a powerful bull rush and get pressure on the quarterback. 

This versatility to win in multiple ways helps Hardy in the run game as well. He can penetrate his gap and get into the backfield, or he can set the edge against the run. 

When Hardy finally gets on the field, you will likely see the Cowboys defense reach a level that they haven't been at in many years. He will make the linebackers' job easier against the run and the cornerbacks' job easier against the pass. 

Another positive that many overlook is how much Hardy's presence will make the Cowboys offensive tackles better in training camp. Last year, Tyron Smith had a very slow start to the regular season, which can be contributed in part to the lack of work he got against great pass-rushers in training camp. 

Overall, Hardy is a special talent who will have a huge impact on the Cowboys roster. He will likely play a lot at the right defensive end position, but be on the lookout for the few occasions when he slides down to the under tackle position in the nickel package. 

DeMarcus Lawrence

If there is one player on the roster the Cowboys are hoping will take a big step in his developmental process, it is DeMarcus Lawrence. In 2014, the Cowboys had high hopes for Lawrence. However, a training-camp foot injury cost him half the season and limited how much he could improve during his rookie year. 

Lawrence started a little slow when he returned to action. However, he really turned it on in the last two games, as he recorded a sack in each contest. 

When you watch Lawrence play, the first word that comes to mind is violence. Whatever he is trying to do on that play, Lawrence tries to make it as violent as possible. Whether it is a violent double-hand chop or his thunderous arm-over move, he wants opposing teams to feel his presence. 

One positive sign that Lawrence will take a big step forward in 2015 is that he's added 10 pounds to his frame, which should allow him to be more powerful and violent at the point of attack. 

Lawrence will likely play at the left defensive end position, where he will be asked to take on right tackles and tight ends on a consistent basis. 

Jeremy Mincey

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The forgotten man of the Cowboys defensive line is the versatile Jeremy Mincey. Last year, Mincey was arguably the best defensive lineman on the roster outside of Tyrone Crawford. He showed an ability to get pressure on the quarterback that we hadn't seen yet in Mincey's career. Furthermore, he showed the ability to lead the defensive line and become a vocal presence in the locker room. 

Mincey isn't a very athletic pass-rusher, but he wins with will and power. He isn't going to turn the corner on any offensive tackles, but he will walk one back or hand-fight his way to the quarterback. Against the run, Mincey is strong at the point of attack, and he has the ability to sneak his way into backfields on occasion. 

The thing that makes Mincey really valuable is his ability to slide inside and play defensive tackle. Here, Mincey can win with quickness much better than he can on the outside. 

Mincey is going to be a great chess piece for defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli this season, and it will be interesting to see the numerous ways that he employs Mincey throughout this year. 

Randy Gregory

Even though Gregory was picked in the second round, he might've been the most talented defensive end in the draft. The reason Gregory was available so late for the Cowboys was because of some off-field concerns that arose throughout the draft process. 

Another concern that many had about Gregory was his lack of bulk. Gregory came to the Cowboys at 235 pounds, which is extremely light for a player you expect to battle at the point of attack with 300-pound behemoths. 

Therefore, Gregory will have to add 15 pounds if he wants to be able to make any impact at all as a run defender. Nevertheless, as a pass-rusher, Gregory is a special talent. 

Despite being light, he repeatedly showed that he can win with power when he sets it up with his speed off the edge. Gregory has a fantastic counter inside move, and he has the best bend out of any defensive end in the 2014 draft class. 

If Gregory can keep his head on straight, he can become an elite defensive end in the NFL. He has that kind of talent. 

This year, Gregory will likely play as the left defensive end and be a pass-rush specialist until he can put on enough weight to compete against the run. 

The Rest

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Another aspect that the Cowboys have improved this season is the depth of their defensive group. Gone are the days of Jarius Wynn taking significant snaps on this defense. 

After the top four that were mentioned above, there will be a big competition for the last couple of defensive end spots. 

Fifth-round pick Ryan Russell will get a lot of opportunities to make this squad because of his high ceiling. Russell is an extremely athletic defensive end who has the size and length that you look for on the edge. One of the problems he had in college was that he was extremely inconsistent and failed to produce at a high level during his time at Purdue. 

The next in line will likely be Ben Gardner. There was hope that Gardner could make an impact during his rookie year, but a shoulder injury ended his season before it could even start. This year, Gardner has reshaped his body and looks like a player who could surprise a lot of people in training camp. Like Mincey, Gardner has the flexibility to line up inside or outside, which makes him a valuable piece to the defensive puzzle. 

Jack Crawford is listed as a defensive end, but his best position is probably inside just like Crawford. He has the quickness and strength to win on the inside, but his athletic ability and hand usage doesn't lend itself well on the edge. 

Kenneth Boatright is an interesting player to keep an eye on, as he spent the majority of last season on the practice squad before a late call-up to the 53-man roster. Like Russell, Boatright is an athletic pass-rusher who needs to be more consistent with his hand usage and more stout against the run. 

The long shots to make the roster are Lavar Edwards and Efe Obada. Edwards just doesn't bring much to the table against the run or the pass, while Obada doesn't have enough experience to make a real difference. However, it is likely that Obada will get moved to the practice squad, so that the Cowboys can develop his physical and athletic talents.