The 2 Cowboys Who Must Improve to Lift Zimmer Defense

FRISCO - Despite their untimely showing in the finale of its 2023 campaign, the Dallas Cowboys have constructed a defensive unit with a propensity for highlight plays, oozing with game-altering talent across the depth chart.

But this side of the ball will look different under Mike Zimmer compared to the turnover-hungry squads led by former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.

The 2 Cowboys Who Must Improve to Lift Zimmer Defense

The marquee names, Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence and a returning Trevon Diggs, figure to continue their big production and perform similar to those marks. But where could Dallas utilize improvements beyond their shining stars and elevate an already impressive defensive unit?

Two players from the 2022 class have already become key players in their roles and their ability to take a step forward could vault the Cowboys into the next level of title contention.

Sam Williams - Williams has shown flashes and contributed in spots through his first two seasons with the Cowboys. He had a three-game streak of recording a sack against the Giants, Eagles and Panthers last season, becoming a quality piece of the rotation on Dallas' vaunted defensive line.

However, Williams has shown a tendency to put his team behind the chains at times. After committing four penalties his rookie season, he tallied eight in 2023, marking the most by an individual on the defense and second most on the team.

Half of those infractions came at a cost of 15 yards, including a fair catch interference in the first quarter of the Wild Card contest against the Green Bay Packers.

Youth, inexperience and development play a role in those figures and the team altogether must avoid those mistakes after committing 121 penalties last season. An added sense of discipline would not only alleviate some of those problems, but also shine light on the areas where Williams excels as a contributor on the line.

Damone Clark - One of the more glaring issues on the rosters of recent years exists at linebacker. Season- and career-ending injuries to DeMarvion Overshown and Leighton Vander Esch deflated the position while the team struggled to supplement in-house or through the free agency market.

Former fifth-round pick Damone Clark and converted safety Markquese Bell were left to carry the bulk of the load through last season. For both - and especially the natural linebacker Clark - that proved too heavy a burden. The LSU product appeared in 17 games in 2023 but showed a bit of "sophomore slump" with a near four-point drop off in his PFF grade from his rookie season.

Many of these factors exist outside Clark's control and he has not limited the defense in any way. Instead, he has proven to be a quality NFL starter who can contribute to a defense littered with All-Pro-caliber talent. Another step forward may prove crucial for the stability of this defense especially at his position.

Growing alongside a veteran player like Eric Kendricks and, as it stands now, having additional support at the position, could pave the way for an impact year for Clark.

And in total, if Dallas gets jumps from these two? The Cowboys defense jumps as well.