Did The Cowboys FAIL To Fix Their Biggest Problem On Defense?

The Cowboys biggest problem for years on defense (well, ONE of them) has been a poor run defense that gets gashed in big games and against the best opponents. While the Cowboys took steps to address other issues … the “solutions” for this problem seem to be lacking. Cowboys Report host Tom Downey looks at the Cowboys run defense issues, the lack of talent at the defensive tackle and who they could sign or trade for to help it out.

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The Cowboys 2024 run defense:
Opponent Run %: 46.1 (11th)
Touchdowns Allowed: 25 (32nd)
Yards Per Game: 137.1 (29th)
Yards Per Carry: 4.8 (30th)
Explosive Runs: 63 (25th)
Stuff Rate: 10.8% (31st)
EPA/Rush: +0.14 (32nd)
Yards Before Contact: 1.81 (28th)
Yards After Contact: 3.08 (20th)
Stacked Box: 23.2% (10th)

Cowboys run defense in losses under Mike McCarthy:
– Carries Per Game: 34.7
– Yards Per Game: 169.6
– TDs Per Game: 1.63
– Average Per Carry: 4.89
– Games Under 4 YPC: 5
– Median Yards Per Carry: 4.55

And the Cowboys run defense stats against above .500 teams:
– Carries Per Game: 28.8
– Yards Per Game: 131.97
– TDs Per Game: 0.75
– Average Per Carry: 4.59
– Games Under 4 YPC: 9
– Median Yards Per Carry: 4.33
– all of these numbers are essentially bottom 10 average figures

PFF Grades for run defense – the additions the Cowboys made:
– Kenneth Murray: 35.0 (2024)
– Jack Sanborn: 70.5 (2024)
– Solomon Thomas: 41.5 (2024)
– Dante Fowler: 52.3 (2024)
– Kenneth Murray: 48.2 (2023)
– Jack Sanborn: (71.1)
– Solomon Thomas: 32.2 (2023)
– Dante Fowler: 62.0 (2023)

Even if you’re watching Law Nation, Mike Fisher, Attack! On Cowboys, FootsDaKing, Mark Holmes, Locked On Cowboys or 105.3 The Fan too, don’t miss these other Cowboys Report videos:
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– Cowboys Rumors: Adam Schefter’s Latest On Micah Parsons & Dallas Signing Stephon Gilmore? – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu85JdRlB0U

Cowboys run defense grades vs. the Rams in NFL Preseason Week 1:
Mazi Smith: 58.3
Perrion Winfrey: 35.4
Tommy Akinbesote: 34.5
Denzel Daxon: 29.3
Jay Toia: 27.3

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Cowboys free agent options at DT:
– Christian Wilkins
– Raekwon Davis
– Linval Joseph
– Austin Johnson
– Khalil Davis
– Armon Watts

Cowboys trade targets at DT:
– Zacch Pickens (Bears)
– Brodric Martin (Lions)
– Jordan Elliott (49ers)
– Shy Tuttle (Panthers)
– Tyler Lacy (Jaguars)

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– Twitter: http://x.com/whatgoingdowney
– Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cowboysreportig

Cowboys 2025 NFL Draft Picks:
Round 1, Pick 12 – Tyler Booker (OG, Alabama)
Round 2, Pick 44 – Donovan Ezeiruaku (EDGE, Boston College)
Round 3, Pick 76 – Shavon Revel (CB, ECU)
Round 5, Pick 149 – Jaydon Blue (RB, Texas)
Round 5, Pick 152 – Shemar James (LB, Florida)
Round 6, Pick 204 – Ajani Cornelius (OT, Oregon)
Round 6, Pick 217 – Jay Toia (DT, UCLA)
Round 7, Pick 239 – Phil Mafah (RB, Clemson)
Round 7, Pick 247 – Tommy Akingbesote (DT, Maryland)

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Agree or disagree with Cowboys Report host Tom Downey by commenting on today’s video:
– Do you agree that the run defense has been a problem? Type ‘A’ for Agree, ‘D’ for Disagree
– Will the Cowboys run defense be better this year? Type ‘Y’ for Yes, ‘N’ for No
– Confidence level in the Cowboys run defense? Scale it: 1-10
– Name a DT you want to add!

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42 comments

  5. Thanks! If its even possible how could we fix our defense this late? Especially with the run defense. I know signing Gilmore could solve corner problems but im more worried about the run. Is it even possible to solve that problem now or do we just have to ride it out and see what happens

  13. It can't get worse than it was last year. It's got to get better than last year. They were dead last in almost every category especially giving up Big runs ala Derrick Henry killed them

  14. I don't think Maxi Smith is the answer. I also don't think Tight end Schoomaker is the answer. Two Michigan players drafted high not the answer to me bust

  16. (No we Haven't fix Our(Run_Defense).but We got Pieces that Make_It Look fair with(Jay Toia, Solomon Thomas, Donovan E., Daxson, #99(UFL) , & Tommy M.) we Need another(Big Dawg NT/DT?, Veteran CB?,

  18. I don’t think our run game will do too much and Dak is not a mobile QB so you tell me how good we will be. 0-1 pre-season and yeah their 2nd & 3rd team & rookies etc.. But our depth is just not there yet. Hopefully training works but I sure to like Holden. Watch him burn like Tyrese. He is that fast. Hands a low B but trainable. Room to blossom into another Harper. Great addition

  20. Wow Tom…….did you just say the lineman/linebacker you believe should be the highest paid defender……EVER…….is undersized and cant help much against the rush? How is he worth so much? 10 sacks a year? You could get that production from 2 lineman who can get you 6 or 7 sacks a year.

  29. The best way to improve your run defense is to improve your run offense! 2014 Dallas D 8th against the run. 2015 with the same Dt's and better DE's Dallas was 22nd against the run. 2016 Dallas was …. wait for it… Number 1 against the run. 2014 was Demarco Murray 2015 was Randle and Mcfadden and 2016 was Zeke's rookie year. Without even looking I bet we could guess that both Philly and Baltimore had top 10 run defenses in 2024 because of Barkey and Henry I could be wrong but I bet their close. It's football, there is always more than 1 way to have success but the easiest way is to get a really good running back. It's football, its exactly what you think it is. Dont believe all the BS slogans. There is no shine without the line! You build a football team from the inside out. Thats like telling a fat girl you're beautiful on the inside. We know the deal! You win with a top tier QB, coaching and playmakers or a historic defense with a bell cow back to keep them fresh. Anything else is more than likely an anomaly. You can bring in Aaron Donald in his prime and it isnt going to help unless you figure out a way to run the ball and the clock yourself to keep him off the field and fresh. Good luck with the island of misfit backs we have.

  30. The Cowboys front office I believe failed again when it comes to signing run stopping defensive tackles. It's like the effort wasn't there on a serious note to get better at that position. The safety position as well with Donovan Wilson makes me nervous. Wilson just not dependable when it comes to coverage

  31. You know in life, you can’t keep complaining that your life is bad but you refuse to do things differently. Especially if you keep hitting your head on the wall and you keep getting concussions. At some point you have to say hey, something not working, let me stop hitting my head on the wall. This is the definition of insanity. My cowboys I just don’t understand it

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