Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys: Sack predictions for every defensive lineman

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:19 p.m. ET

Fansided, Jimmy Long/FanSided via NFL Spin Zone

May 12, 2017; Frisco, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton (97) works out with defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli during rookie minicamp at The Star at Cowboys World Headquarters. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Expectations are the highest in recent years for the Dallas Cowboys pass rush. How will each defensive lineman perform in 2017?

The Dallas Cowboys pass rush hasn't been the same ever since the departure of DeMarcus Ware. However, it has been steadily improving since the 2014 season. In recent years, the Cowboys have been devoting some serious resources towards improving what many consider to be the team's biggest weakness.

Nobody needs a reminder of the 2014 Divisional Round game against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. Dallas ultimately lost because of an inability to put pressure on Rodgers, after posting only 27.0 sacks on the season.

Jerry Jones and the front office made it a point to address that issue in the offseason that followed. The Cowboys signed troubled pass rush rusher Greg Hardy, as well as drafting (future) troubled defensive end Randy Gregory.

Those moves, coupled with a breakout 8.0 sack season from DeMarcus Lawrence moderately improved Dallas' pass rush. Over the course of the 2015 season, the "new-look" defensive line accumulated 31.0 sacks. A very modest 4.0 sack improvement over the prior year.

However, Greg Hardy proved to be too much to handle. He was not re-signed. Then, Randy Gregory was suspended for the majority of 2016. But, the Cowboys had a saving grace. They added Maliek Collins in the 2016 Draft, and Benson Mayowa in free agency.

The 2016 defensive line performed better than their 2015 counterparts, finishing with a respectable 36 in the sack column. Five sacks better than the year before. The Cowboys weren't done, though.

In 2017, the Dallas Cowboys spent their first round pick on Taco Charlton. They'll also get a bonus addition in the way of Charles Tapper, who missed his entire rookie year due to injury. The 2017 defensive line will look to improve yet again. How well can they perform? Let's predict each man's sack total for the upcoming season.

Dec 26, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Benson Mayowa (93) sacks Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) in the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Benson Mayowa

Kicking things off is the Dallas Cowboys' most senior right end. Benson Mayowa is entering the second year of his three year deal. After leading the team in sacks in his first season here, expectations should be high for #93.

Mayowa is experienced at right end, and offers a good blend of speed, strength, and bend. Hopefully, Mayowa improves in his second season as a true 4-3 end, after largely being utilized as an outside linebacker in Oakland.

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He will compete with first-round pick Taco Charlton for the starting job on the right side, and will definitely be given plenty of opportunities in the Cowboys' rotation. I would project a moderate improvement over last year for Mayowa.

Prediction: 7.5 sacks

Charles Tapper

Charles Tapper missed his entire rookie season after being diagnosed with Pars Defect. However, he is supposedly ready to compete in his sophomore season. He essentially will be a rookie, as he hasn't had any true game experience.

Tapper is a pure speed rusher. The big question mark with him is his bend. At Oklahoma, he was misused in a 3-4 scheme. In Dallas, he'll be playing his true position as a 4-3 end. In all honesty, he may have the highest ceiling on the right side of all the Cowboys current rushers.

His biggest problem may be finding opportunities, as Mayowa and Taco Charlton figure to be ahead of him on a crowded depth chart. I expect him to be used as a situational, third-down pass rusher due to his outstanding speed.

Prediction: 4.5 sacks

Taco Charlton

Taco Charlton will have the highest expectations among all of the defensive lineman the Dallas Cowboys currently employ. That stems solely from his draft position, but that's part of being a first round pick in Big D.

Whether or not the expectations are fair, Charlton will be asked to produce right away. He will likely be given every chance to win a starting job on the right side. However, his versatility will allow the coaches to get him on the field in more places than one.

Charlton may start as a rotational piece but should make a strong push for starting reps early on. Though it may take some time to figure out football at the professional level, Charlton should contribute.

Prediction: 6.0 sacks

Dec 7, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (90) knocks the ball out of the hands of Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) in the first quarter at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

DeMarcus Lawrence

The best word to describe DeMarcus Lawrence's time in Dallas is inconsistent. He missed the majority of his rookie year, but showed flashes of brilliance in the 2014 playoffs. He then went on to have a breakout season in 2015, putting up 8.0 sacks. However, Lawrence struggled heavily in 2016, dealing with suspensions and injury. He never managed to get back to his 2015 form. He now enters the last year of his rookie deal. I expect him to play with a chip on his shoulder and with something to prove.

He'll have to compete with David Irving for the starting job on the left side. This is a competition that will likely come down to consistency. We've seen it before from Lawrence, so he likely has the edge. In what will probably be his last season in Big D, I believe Lawrence returns close to his 2015 form.

Prediction: 6.5 sacks

David Irving

Like Lawrence, David Irving has been incredibly inconsistent since arriving in Dallas. His flashes show his true talent, which is enough to make him a dominant player. That said, Irving has given us more questions than answers to this point in his career.

Is he better suited to play left end or three-technique tackle? Can he perform consistently enough to start? These are the things he will have to show the coaching staff in order to become more than a rotational piece.

Irving will need some time to prove he can start, which is why he will probably see most of his opportunities as a situational pass rusher again. That doesn't mean he can't make an impact in the game, though.

Prediction: 5.5 sacks

Nov 6, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) sacks Cleveland Browns quarterback Cody Kessler (6) during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Cowboys won 35-10. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Tyrone Crawford

With DeMarcus Lawrence and David Irving manning the outside, Crawford will be able to return to his original position inside. But, he should play largely a reserve role, despite his high price tag. Thanks to the emergence of Maliek Collins, Crawford is now a solid depth piece.

Barring injury, Crawford will find his opportunities rotating in and out. He'll probably get some chances to rush on third downs, as well as early in the fourth quarter when Collins is resting. He has proven in the past he can be effective, so I would expect the same.

Prediction: 3.5 sacks

Maliek Collins

Maliek Collins surprised many fans in his rookie season, putting up 5.0 sacks. Quite impressive for a rookie, especially a third-rounder. Entering his second season, Collins might be the only player penciled into a starting role on this Dallas defensive line.

Of all the young rushmen on the Dallas Cowboys, Collins is the most likely to make the leap to the next level in 2017. He showed all the traits of a dominant three-tech in his rookie year. A full offseason of work with Rod Marinelli will do wonders for his development.

I expect Collins to be dominant in the upcoming season. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised at all if Collins ends the drought of double-digit sack artists.

Prediction: 11.0 sacks

Aug 19, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Cedric Thornton (92) returns a recovered fumble against the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Stephen Paea

The Dallas Cowboys brought in Paea largely to fill the void left by the departure of Terrell McClain. He will be reunited with Marinelli, who coached him during his stint in Chicago. Paea will compete for the starting job with Cedric Thornton.

Though his main role will be as a run stuffer, Paea should find a few opportunities here and there to get after the quarterback. I wouldn't be expecting any gaudy sack numbers from him though. Sacks from Paea will likely be few and far between.

Prediction: 2.5 sacks

Cedric Thornton

After signing a four-year deal with Dallas in free agency, Thornton saw very limited playing time in his first season. He remained stuck on the bottom of the depth chart behind McClain. He'll be given the opportunity to compete in 2017 though.

Similarly to Paea, Thornton won't be in position to rush the quarterback very often. That is simply the nature of the one-technique in Rod Marinelli's defense. But given the opportunity, he should find success on occasion.

Prediction: 2.0 sacks