Can Carl Lawson fill the old Dante Fowler role on the Cowboys defense?

When Dante Fowler left Dallas in free agency, it was seen as a blessing in disguise to many. It wasn’t because Fowler was a poor player or poor teammate in the locker room – quite the contrary – it’s just Fowler was a bit of a progress stopper to various young and ascending pass rushers on the Cowboys. His opportunities were opportunities that could be going elsewhere.

In 2023 for example, Fowler only played 65 snaps on running downs. 206 of his 275 snaps were in pass rushing situations. While other players were grinding out the season taking whatever snaps they could get, Fowler was getting the golden opportunities where he could pin his ears back and go hunting quarterbacks. He performed fine in this role tallying four sacks and 12 pressures, but it was hard not to wonder what someone like Sam Williams could do with those same golden opportunities.

For a brief moment it appeared Cowboys fans would finally get a chance to see that happen, until of course Williams was lost to a season-ending knee injury early in training camp. To compensate for the loss the Cowboys signed veteran pass rusher Carl Lawson. Now, instead of a young ascending player taking over Fowler’s glamorous role as pass-rushing specialist, the Cowboys potentially have Lawson on roster to take on coveted assignment.

Lawson certainly looks the part.

Strength and conditioning have never been his problem. At age 29 he’s one of the most technically sound and physically fit edge players in the league. Finally healthy after a nightmarish 2023 campaign, he’s looking to make a big impact in 2024 for the Cowboys. If he acquires Fowler’s premium opportunities, there’s no reason to think he can’t bounce back here late in his career and duplicate Fowler’s numbers from last season.

The trickledown effect is significant. It will allow the Cowboys to use the rookie Marshawn Kneeland to his strengths rather than to cover the defense’s weaknesses. Kneeland is an extremely well-rounded player but he is unpolished as a pass rusher. He can be used in obvious passing situations, he’s just not the ideal solution.

Chauncey Golston is another player who can factor into the mix at defensive end. The fourth-year player has split time between defensive tackle and edge throughout his career. He’s not much of a pass-rusher but can play the run as well as anyone from an edge position.

Lawson taking Fowler’s old role as pass rushing specialist might just work to everyone’s strengths. The question is, is he up to the task?

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