The Athletic recently wrote that the Cowboys' biggest question mark heading into training camp is how defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer will use Micah Parsons. What do you think? What is your biggest question mark as camp gets underway? – Bennie Reynolds/Houston, TX
Patrik: I think that's one of the biggest questions, yes, though I'd disagree that it's the biggest question — not when you're still trying to figure out how Zimmer is looking to use former first-round pick Mazi Smith and just how ready Smith is to take over the lead role of nose tackle in 2024. That's because, behind Smith, there wasn't a high-powered add in free agency at defensive tackle, at least not as of July 24, and that leaves a lot of youth when you also factor in rookie seventh-round pick Justin Rogers. The defense under Zimmer will depend largely on the success of the linebackers (a wonderfully rebuilt group) and the defensive tackle rotation, but the latter has yet to be ironed out completely and won't be until we see how things unfold in training camp.
Nick Harris: That's definitely a big question considering Micah Parsons is the most important player on the defense and a change in system will certainly affect his usage from year-to-year, but my biggest question is around what happens at defensive tackle. Will Mazi Smith be ready to go? Can Justin Rogers or Denzel Daxon push for a spot? Is Osa Odighizuwa healthy after sitting out minicamp and OTAs? The middle of that defensive line has a lot of unknowns going into camp, and if they can't figure those unknowns out, it will make life difficult for the rest of the defense.
