The Cowboys have Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence atop the edge rush depth chart, but the team has made recent draft investments at the position to add complementary options behind them. That effort included the selection of Marshawn Kneeland this spring.
Dallas added Kneeland in the second round of April’s draft, matching the Round 2 selection of Sam Williams in 2022. The latter has served in a rotational capacity to date, but he could take on an increased workload this season. With Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler having followed Dan Quinn from Dallas to Washington, the defensive end pecking order will look somewhat different in 2024.
That should open up playing time for Kneeland in a depth capacity. The Western Michigan product is fourth on the depth chart behind Parsons, Lawrence and Williams, Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News writes. That comes as little surprise given his inexperience, although his college success suggests he could handle at least an early-down role during his rookie campaign. Kneeland racked up 148 tackles (including 27.5 for loss) between 2020 and ’23 with the Mustangs.
That stretch included relatively underwhelming sack production, however. Kneeland totaled 13 sacks in his college career, and his largest statistical outputs came in 2021 and ’23 with 4.5. The 6-3, 267-pounder profiles as a strong run defender and carrying that skillset over to the NFL level should allow him to carve out a rotational role in certain defensive packages.
Lawrence is entering the final year of his contract, while Parsons is on the books through 2025 (although he is one of multiple high-profile extension priorities for the Cowboys). Williams has two years remaining on his rookie contract, and a strong showing this season could put him on the radar for an extension keeping him in the fold for years to come. Kneeland has plenty of time to establish himself as a regular contributor with the Cowboys, but for the time being he is not in line for a heavy workload.
Dallas has a feeling of implosion this season. Non-stop contract talk for 2 premier players playing positions. I say Dak is solid to good, not premier, for the last of the contract talks. It’s going to way on the team throughout the season would be my guess. Plus a lame duck HC added as well?
As for Dak and the other QB’s outside of the top 5, they simply aren’t worth 25% of the cap. At some point, the QB has to carry the team and win games. That’s what the top 5 do, Dak doesn’t. Same for Trevor, Danny, Cousins, & plenty others that are grossly overpaid.
12-5 in back-to-back seasons…runner for the MVP this season…top 5 in most QB stat categories…let me know when the goalposts stop moving for this guy.
But Dak’s also 2-5 in the playoffs. Same make and model like Cousins, can have great regular seasons stats; not so much in the playoffs.
Them boys gonna get their asses whooped in the playoffs
If they make it to the playoffs, I agree. Same ol’ same ol?