OXNARD, Calif. — The offensive side of the equation hasn't seen much change in the coaching ranks, but that is wildly different for what the Dallas Cowboys are facing on the defensive side of the ball — Dan Quinn having vacated his role as defensive coordinator to become head coach of the Washington Commanders.
That decision created a ripple effect that included Joe Whitt Jr. joining him, Aden Durde leaving for the Seattle Seahawks, Al Harris being promoted in Dallas to assistant head coach and Mike Zimmer returning to the Cowboys to retake his role of defensive coordinator, having once held it in the 1990s and into the early 2000s.
Factor in the slew of personnel changes on defense and someone is bound to step up and show themselves in Oxnard … but …
Who exactly will be the latest to steal the show in Oxnard??
Having already assessed the offense, let's take a peek at the defensive side of the ball.
Patrik: I'll keep to my theme of a redshirt who unfortunately saw his rookie year derailed by a torn ACL, seeing as tight end John Stephens Jr. wasn't the only player to fall victim to that circumstance. The other was DeMarvion Overshown, and I expect the former Longhorn and third-round pick (2023) to take camp by storm — much in the way he did last summer. It might take a few days for him to regain his bearings, but his demeanor, added muscle and linebacker-heavy scheme of Mike Zimmer all point heavily at Overshown potentially having a breakout season as early as the one that's currently in the chamber. They say you can't miss what you never had, but I feel the exception to that truth is Overshown in 2023.
Nick Eatman: I have this feeling it's going to be Juanyeh Thomas. I really like watching him play and that started from the first day he got here. Something about him playing safety and being a big-time hitter but also someone who can return kicks. You don't really see that safety/return specialist combo. But it shows me that he's just an athlete. We saw it when he blocked that kick in the Week 1 win over the Giants to set the tone for that game and maybe the season. I just think he's a baller and whether or not he gets to show it out here, Thomas will shine bright when the lights come on for the games.
Nick Harris: There's a big opportunity on the table for seventh-round pick Justin Rogers to come in and make an impact at the defensive tackle position, and I think he makes that noise early and often. Rogers had some adjusting that he had to do at a new school last season, and his draft stock suffered as a result. In reality, Rogers is an early day three type talent that the Cowboys landed in the seventh round, in my opinion. With his wide physical skillset and his ability to stop runners in the backfield, I think he will elevate the competition at the defensive tackle position the longer the team sticks around in Oxnard.
