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By John Owning
9:00 AM on May 26, 2021
For the Dallas Cowboys, pressure isn’t a matter of if, it’s a matter of when - that’s what happens when you play for the most valuable franchise in all of sports and the most popular team in the NFL.
Still, there are players facing more pressure than others - whether it’s due to competition on the roster, impending free agency, sub-par play the year before or a combination of the three. So without further ado, let’s discuss some Cowboys who will be feeling the most pressure entering the 2021 season.
Jaylon Smith & Leighton Vander Esch, LB
Whether it’s because of a new defensive coordinator, the fact that the team didn’t pick up Leighton Vander Esch’s fifth-year option, or the fact that Dallas added three LBs (Micah Parsons, Keanu Neal and Jabril Cox) with immediate viability, it’s clear that linebackers Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith were put on notice by the Cowboys’ coaching staff and front office after porous 2020 campaigns from both.
Vander Esch had another injury-riddled season that forced him to suit up in only 10 games after playing in just nine the year prior (progress!). It’s gotten to the point where Vander Esch carries legitimate durability concerns every week, which is why the Cowboys simply can’t afford to significantly invest in the short or long term until he proves capable of staying healthy for long durations.
Making matters worse is the fact that Vander Esch performed poorly even when healthy in 2020. Sure, his life was made infinitely harder by Dallas’ subpar play at defensive tackle, but even when accounting for that, Vander Esch was simply a shell of his former self - the one that made second-team All-Pro as a rookie in 2018. Last year, Vander Esch posted a career-low in run-stop rate (8.4%) while missing 13.4% of his tackle attempts, per PFF.
There are still positives to Vander Esch’s game, as he’s quite large (6-4 and 256 pounds), quite athletic and hits quite hard; however, he just lacks consistency in his run fits, pursuit angles and has displayed some issues in coverage - though not as much as his LB mate Smith.
Smith, on the other hand, didn’t lose significant time due to injury; however, he performed just as poorly. Smith became the fanbase’s scapegoat for the defense’s issues last year. And while I think many went too far with their critiques, his play didn’t come anywhere near meeting expectations last season. It also doesn’t help that his play fell off a cliff shortly after signing a six-year, $68 million deal in 2019.
Just like Vander Esch, Smith’s job was made much harder by the poor play up front, but it still doesn’t excuse Smith’s poor run fits and the fact that he’s a significant liability in man coverage. Smith’s run fits were inconsistent at best last year, which was exacerbated by his struggles taking on and playing through blocks. Smith also struggled a lot when isolated in man coverage last season, as he just doesn’t have the athletic traits to play tight coverage against tight ends or running backs, especially if they run an option or breaking route.
I may be in the minority, but I believe both can still play good football, especially if they get better, more consistent play from the DTs in front of them; however, that’s nowhere near assured and both need to up their play regardless.
Given Dallas’ moves this offseason, it seems clear that either Smith or Vander Esch (maybe both) won’t be on the Cowboys roster in 2022. Vander Esch is scheduled to become a free agent that offseason, so it would be easy for Dallas to let him walk if his durability and performance issues continue to arise this season. And even though Smith is technically under contract until 2025, the Cowboys can actually cut him and save salary cap space in 2022, meaning the Cowboys could easily wipe their hands of him next year, as well.
Because of this, both are under immense pressure heading into the 2021 season. Not only do they have significant competition who will press them for playing time immediately, but they’re also both playing to have a job (or at least one with the Cowboys) in 2022.
Connor Williams, LG
Coming into a contract year, fourth-year left guard Connor Williams is facing more pressure this year than he has in any other. Not only is he playing for a new contract (whether it be from the Cowboys or one of the other 31 franchises), but he’ll also likely have some stiff competition for the starting left guard spot from the other Connor (McGovern).
While I personally believe Williams will beat out McGovern rather easily during camp, there are some sharp minds who believe McGovern will give him a real run for his money, and losing the starting left guard gig would be the worst-case scenario for Williams, as it would definitely suppress his value in free agency.
Luckily for Williams, he’s coming off a healthy season that just so happened to also be the best one of his career. He has displayed notable year-over-year improvements since entering the NFL. Experience has enabled him to develop mentally and hard work in the weight room has caused his play strength to take considerable strides from the rookie who was getting bulldozed by defensive tackles with regularity.
These improvements have translated to the field as well, as Williams boosted his pass-blocking efficiency - which measures pressure allowed on a per-snap basis with a weighting toward sacks - in each season as a Cowboy, going from 96.0 (41st among “starting” guards) as a rookie in 2018 to 97.2 (39th) in 2019 and 97.6 (25th) in 2020. While I doubt Williams will ever be clean enough in pass protection to vie for a top-10 spot in pass-blocking efficiency, I do think he can break the top-20 or even 15 if he continues to develop at a similar rate that he’s shown over his first four seasons.
Williams’ impact as a run blocker has arguably progressed even quicker than in pass protection, as Williams’ newfound power has enabled him to create some displacement off the line of scrimmage. Nonetheless, Williams’ best weapon as a run blocker is still his ability to leverage his athleticism, which aids him in climbing to take out linebackers at the second level, making blocks in space and when performing reach blocks on zone concepts.
When Tyron Smith, Zack Martin and La’el Collins were out with injuries in 2020, Williams was easily Dallas’ best offensive linemen, which is why I think it’s odd that many think McGovern can take his job after playing on the same line as Williams but struggling much more.
Beating out McGovern during training camp will be just Step 1, as the pressure will then ramp up on Williams to perform, as his financial future hinges significantly on how he plays this year.
9:00 AM on May 26, 2021
For the Dallas Cowboys, pressure isn’t a matter of if, it’s a matter of when - that’s what happens when you play for the most valuable franchise in all of sports and the most popular team in the NFL.
Still, there are players facing more pressure than others - whether it’s due to competition on the roster, impending free agency, sub-par play the year before or a combination of the three. So without further ado, let’s discuss some Cowboys who will be feeling the most pressure entering the 2021 season.
Jaylon Smith & Leighton Vander Esch, LB
Whether it’s because of a new defensive coordinator, the fact that the team didn’t pick up Leighton Vander Esch’s fifth-year option, or the fact that Dallas added three LBs (Micah Parsons, Keanu Neal and Jabril Cox) with immediate viability, it’s clear that linebackers Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith were put on notice by the Cowboys’ coaching staff and front office after porous 2020 campaigns from both.
Vander Esch had another injury-riddled season that forced him to suit up in only 10 games after playing in just nine the year prior (progress!). It’s gotten to the point where Vander Esch carries legitimate durability concerns every week, which is why the Cowboys simply can’t afford to significantly invest in the short or long term until he proves capable of staying healthy for long durations.
Making matters worse is the fact that Vander Esch performed poorly even when healthy in 2020. Sure, his life was made infinitely harder by Dallas’ subpar play at defensive tackle, but even when accounting for that, Vander Esch was simply a shell of his former self - the one that made second-team All-Pro as a rookie in 2018. Last year, Vander Esch posted a career-low in run-stop rate (8.4%) while missing 13.4% of his tackle attempts, per PFF.
There are still positives to Vander Esch’s game, as he’s quite large (6-4 and 256 pounds), quite athletic and hits quite hard; however, he just lacks consistency in his run fits, pursuit angles and has displayed some issues in coverage - though not as much as his LB mate Smith.
Smith, on the other hand, didn’t lose significant time due to injury; however, he performed just as poorly. Smith became the fanbase’s scapegoat for the defense’s issues last year. And while I think many went too far with their critiques, his play didn’t come anywhere near meeting expectations last season. It also doesn’t help that his play fell off a cliff shortly after signing a six-year, $68 million deal in 2019.
Just like Vander Esch, Smith’s job was made much harder by the poor play up front, but it still doesn’t excuse Smith’s poor run fits and the fact that he’s a significant liability in man coverage. Smith’s run fits were inconsistent at best last year, which was exacerbated by his struggles taking on and playing through blocks. Smith also struggled a lot when isolated in man coverage last season, as he just doesn’t have the athletic traits to play tight coverage against tight ends or running backs, especially if they run an option or breaking route.
I may be in the minority, but I believe both can still play good football, especially if they get better, more consistent play from the DTs in front of them; however, that’s nowhere near assured and both need to up their play regardless.
Given Dallas’ moves this offseason, it seems clear that either Smith or Vander Esch (maybe both) won’t be on the Cowboys roster in 2022. Vander Esch is scheduled to become a free agent that offseason, so it would be easy for Dallas to let him walk if his durability and performance issues continue to arise this season. And even though Smith is technically under contract until 2025, the Cowboys can actually cut him and save salary cap space in 2022, meaning the Cowboys could easily wipe their hands of him next year, as well.
Because of this, both are under immense pressure heading into the 2021 season. Not only do they have significant competition who will press them for playing time immediately, but they’re also both playing to have a job (or at least one with the Cowboys) in 2022.
Connor Williams, LG
Coming into a contract year, fourth-year left guard Connor Williams is facing more pressure this year than he has in any other. Not only is he playing for a new contract (whether it be from the Cowboys or one of the other 31 franchises), but he’ll also likely have some stiff competition for the starting left guard spot from the other Connor (McGovern).
While I personally believe Williams will beat out McGovern rather easily during camp, there are some sharp minds who believe McGovern will give him a real run for his money, and losing the starting left guard gig would be the worst-case scenario for Williams, as it would definitely suppress his value in free agency.
Luckily for Williams, he’s coming off a healthy season that just so happened to also be the best one of his career. He has displayed notable year-over-year improvements since entering the NFL. Experience has enabled him to develop mentally and hard work in the weight room has caused his play strength to take considerable strides from the rookie who was getting bulldozed by defensive tackles with regularity.
These improvements have translated to the field as well, as Williams boosted his pass-blocking efficiency - which measures pressure allowed on a per-snap basis with a weighting toward sacks - in each season as a Cowboy, going from 96.0 (41st among “starting” guards) as a rookie in 2018 to 97.2 (39th) in 2019 and 97.6 (25th) in 2020. While I doubt Williams will ever be clean enough in pass protection to vie for a top-10 spot in pass-blocking efficiency, I do think he can break the top-20 or even 15 if he continues to develop at a similar rate that he’s shown over his first four seasons.
Williams’ impact as a run blocker has arguably progressed even quicker than in pass protection, as Williams’ newfound power has enabled him to create some displacement off the line of scrimmage. Nonetheless, Williams’ best weapon as a run blocker is still his ability to leverage his athleticism, which aids him in climbing to take out linebackers at the second level, making blocks in space and when performing reach blocks on zone concepts.
When Tyron Smith, Zack Martin and La’el Collins were out with injuries in 2020, Williams was easily Dallas’ best offensive linemen, which is why I think it’s odd that many think McGovern can take his job after playing on the same line as Williams but struggling much more.
Beating out McGovern during training camp will be just Step 1, as the pressure will then ramp up on Williams to perform, as his financial future hinges significantly on how he plays this year.
