Predicting Who Each Defensive Starter Will Be for the Dallas Cowboys in 2012

The Dallas Cowboys had problems on defense last season, specifically in the defensive backfield. Cornerback Terence Newman fell off in the second half of 2011, and due to his poor play, he is not expected to return.

Linebacker Anthony Spencer, a marginal starter in my eyes, seemed to be headed toward free agency, but now, it looks like the team will place the franchise tag on him.

The defensive line is need of help, and nose tackle Jay Ratliff is expected to move to defensive end if Dallas drafts or signs a larger nose tackle.

So, if Newman does not return and the team decides to allow Spencer to walk, who will replace both 2011 starters in 2012?

That is why pontification is such a useful art in sportswriting, right? Let’s head down a hypothetical road for all of Dallas’ 2012 defensive starters. 

Defensive Line

Left Defensive End: Jay Ratliff 

Here is why I believe Ratliff will be moved to the left side: Because Marcus Spears plays the right side. Ratliff is small for a nose tackle, 287 pounds, and is often overwhelmed by larger NFL centers.

He's quick enough to make it past his share of offensive tackles to snatch down a quarterback or two, and he can provide solid run support on the outside. It would not surprise me if Dallas chooses to keep Ratliff in the middle and sign a free agent defensive end, but Ratliff seems to be the one who will head outside.

Nose Tackle: Draft or free agent

I think that Baylor's Nicolas Jean-Baptiste is a great choice for Dallas at nose tackle. Ratliff was a late draft choice, and Jean-Baptiste may follow in his footsteps.

He's a big guy, 335 pounds, and can hog up a body or two in the middle of the line. Dallas needs a bigger guy to play nose, and Jean-Baptiste fits that mold. If he's not chosen late, Dallas may have the chance to sign him as an undrafted free agent.

Right Defensive End: Marcus Spears

Spears will be back to provide his standard, tough run support for the team. He will never be a sack machine and will never put up gaudy numbers. He's going to provide the needed support for Dallas off the edge and stop the run. Simple, but appreciated.

Linebackers

L. Outside Linebacker: Anthony Spencer

I think he'll end up staying because I do not believe the team is ready to hand the keys over to Victor Butler. If you'll recall, last training camp, Butler had a great showing and many thought that he was ready for a breakout season. He struggled in 2011, and the team would rather bring Spencer back than try Butler out.

L. Inside Linebacker: Bruce Carter

Bradie James was a good soldier for the Cowboys. He always played well, made more than a few big plays during his Cowboys career and held the team down during their "off" seasons. But it is time to move on, and Bruce Carter is the future.

Just as the team decided to give Sean Lee a chance in 2011, that chance will be given to Carter in 2012.

R. Inside Linebacker: Sean Lee

Lee is turning into a leader for the Cowboys. He totaled 105 tackles last year and had four interceptions. He's going to be great for Dallas in the middle, and my hope is that he has the type of career that Bradie James had in the middle for Dallas, only better.

R. Outside Linebacker: DeMarcus Ware

There will come a day when there will be a question as to if the team should replace Mr. Ware. Fortunately, that day has yet to arrive, and Ware is still in his prime. He is the best outside linebacker in football and the pulse of the Cowboys defense.

Defensive Backfield

L. Cornerback: Dre Kirkpatrick, Cortland Finnegan

I still believe that Dallas will draft Kirkpatrick in the first round. It will not be Stephon Gilmore or Janoris Jenkins; I think that it will be Kirkpatrick. He’s physical, big and can play the press.

Kirkpatrick did not have a good interview session at the combine, but I think that is always overblown anyway. He should fit well in defensive coordinator Rob Ryan’s scheme and should make a great tandem with right corner, Mike Jenkins.

Finnegan is a physical guy who has a nasty streak. Remember the beat down he received from Houston Texans Andre Johnson? But it was because Finnegan was able to get into his head. Now, if the Cowboys end up signing Finnegan, Jenkins will probably move to the left side. Either way, I think both players would be great options for Dallas’ secondary.

Strong Safety: Mark Barron

This one I am not entirely sure about because I do not believe Dallas will draft two consecutive defensive backs. I could be wrong, but I believe they’ll draft an offensive lineman pretty early on, specifically a guard.

If Barron does end up here, it is a worthy pick. If not, Dallas may stick with Abe Elam.

Free Safety: Gerald Sensabaugh

Seeing that Sensabaugh just signed a contract extension in December, it is a safe bet that he’ll remain in Dallas for the time being. I still believe that the Cowboys would have beaten the Lions if Sensabaugh would have been healthy.

He’s 6’1” and would have matched up better with Calvin Johnson and that infamous triple coverage touchdown. At any rate, he is here to stay.

R. Cornerback: Mike Jenkins

Another player that I believe deserves to come back. He really is a good cornerback, but he needs to get healthy and remain disciplined. If those two can match for him, the Cowboys have a Pro Bowl cornerback on their hands.

If 2012 turns out to be a carbon copy of 2011, it will be time to move, but until we reach that point, Jenkins is the best option.