Grimaldi: What is the Dallas Cowboys weakest position?

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What is the Dallas Cowboys weakest position?
by Ben Grimaldi

Which position will be the Achilles heel for the Dallas Cowboys in 2016?

When you look at the Dallas Cowboys, it’s easy to see the bright spots, most of which are on the offensive side of the ball. Actually, they are all on the offense; their offensive line, the quarterback, running back and wide receiver positions are the strength of the team. Remembering to include Mr. Automatic, kicker Dan Bailey, and it’s all about the offense.

Unfortunately, that leaves the defense as the troubled side. There are reasons for optimism, but the reality is the Cowboys will have to ride the offense if they are going to get back into the playoffs. And for all the worry about the pass rush and the defensive line, it’s not the only position that concerns the team.

It’s no secret that Dallas has issues on the defensive line. Their top two pass rushers will be missing a quarter of the season, they don’t have a player with more than eight career sacks and they seem to be hoping for major contributions from rookies, defensive tackle Maliek Collins and defensive end Charles Tapper. The group is young, athletic and has promise, but it remains to be seen how they respond as an unit.

At the next level, linebacker, the Cowboys have just as many question marks. Sean Lee is the most polished player and without fellow veteran linebacker Rolando McClain for 10 weeks, the position lacks difference makers. As the saying goes, the team has just a bunch of JAGS (just another guy) at linebacker. Anthony Hitchens has his moments and Kyle Wilber plays a role, but neither helps the position enough be known as a strength. With McClain, it’s an above average unit, without him, this group is another problem area.

The secondary has it’s issues as well. Cornerback Orlando Scandrick returns as the positions best player, but he’s coming off of a major injury. Fellow corners Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne haven’t lived up to their lofty statuses as Cowboys and the team is searching for players behind their top three. The cornerbacks have the ability to be a strength if they play up to their potential, but that hasn’t happened since they’ve been together.

At safety, Dallas finally has found a player to build around; Byron Jones had a very good rookie season and he should thrive now that he’s settled at one position. The other projected starting safety, Barry Church, is a leader, but the Cowboys could use another high level player. Other safeties Jeff Heath, J.J. Wilcox and rookie Kavon Frazier are backups who are better served for situational roles.

There is plenty of potential so it isn’t all doom and gloom, but the team has questions that need answering at every level on defense.

So which position do you think is the weakest link on the Dallas Cowboys defense?
 
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