Cowboys’ DeMarcus Lawrence in store for another great season

DeMarcus Lawrence has been a polarizing figure in Cowboys Nation for years. The four-time Pro Bowler is now entering his 11^th NFL season, and his durability has allowed him to play in at least 16 games in seven of those. He’s been a team leader and consummate professional throughout his time in Dallas and has been well compensated every step of the way.

He’s one of the most complete defensive ends in the league today, yet many in the fanbase look at him with some level of disdain. To them, low sack numbers are too hard to ignore. Lawrence has yet to log a double-digit sack season since he signed that five-year, $105,000,000 contract in the offseason of 2019. Despite making the Pro Bowl in each of the last two seasons, Lawrence has logged a grand total of just 10 sacks over the last 34 regular season games.

Despite the paltry sack numbers, Lawrence has been named an all-star for a reason. He’s a great player.

Pro Football Focus, a site sometimes dedicated to upsetting Cowboys fans, grades game film rather than the stat sheet. Instead of focusing solely on sacks which account for less than one percent of the snaps, they grade the whole slate. There he graded out as the No. 8 edge defender in the entire NFL. In fact, over the past four seasons, Lawrence has three top-10 finishes, two of which are top-five.

To anyone who’s spent time breaking down the All-22, it’s hard to argue with the assessment. More sacks may be expected of the man commanding the Cowboys second-highest cap number for 2024, but he wins nearly every play. Sacks are sparse, but he wins battles and creates pressure. That’s important because pressures are a far more stable stat than sacks and therefore a better indicator of continued success. Last season he logged 48 and the season before it was 59. That comes out to over three pressures a game.

Demarcus Lawrence AGAIN gets the pressure and Donovan Wilson makes ANOTHER play for the INTpic.twitter.com/6yt069KNPX

— Tom Downey (@WhatGoingDowney) January 7, 2024

It’s also worth pointing out Lawrence is among the best in the NFL against the run. Many pass rushers are just stat sheet stuffers who just want to pin their ears back and go after quarterbacks. They pay little attention to their run fits or potential screen passes. Lawrence is not that type of edge. If anything, the Cowboys, who are notoriously undisciplined against the run, could use more Lawrences on their roster. Defending the run may not be as pivotal as defending the pass, but it’s a critical part of the game and much needed on a team like the Cowboys.

DeMarcus Lawrence impact:

Teams average 3.50 ypc when Tank is on the field.
Teams average 4.32 ypc when Tank is not on the field.
-.82 ypc impact is massive! 💪💪 pic.twitter.com/xCR8bimb2H

— Matt Owen (@ProfessorO_NFL) December 13, 2023

Averaging 4.33 sacks per season over the last three years will understandably cause some to think it’s near the end for Lawrence. At age 32 and on the last year of his deal, this is a fair assumption to make. But there’s reason to believe his controversial sack numbers are due for a rebound and Lawrence is on the verge of something of a late-career resurgence in 2024.

For one, Micah Parsons lines up opposite Lawrence. Parsons’ gravity is well documented as he frequently commands double and triple teams. It frees up one-on-one opportunities for players like Lawrence.

Why Lawrence hasn’t been able to capitalize on this over the previous three seasons is admittedly a bit of a headscratcher. But the Cowboys depth at DE has recently taken a hit, meaning Lawrence no longer has to share snaps with his more one-dimensional brethren.

Unless Sam Williams simultaneously breaks out and endears himself to coach Mike Zimmer, Lawrence will see the bulk of the snaps with Parsons. Playing in more obvious passing situations is a great way for the veteran to boost his numbers.

Another reason for a resurgence is the Cowboys’ secondary. With Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland starting at cornerback the Cowboys boast two All-Pros. Diggs and Bland are elite ballhawks who have been known to bite on double moves. It’s this very weakness that may provide the perfect opportunity for the pass rush. QBs will be more inclined to hold onto the ball, hoping to get this salivating duo to bite on route fakes, subsequently giving non-explosive pass rushers like Lawrence just enough time to get home.

Lawrence probably isn’t going to suddenly post a 10-sack season for the first time in six years, but he could very realistically fall in the 7-to-8 range. Based on this there’s no reason to think Parsons, Williams and Lawrence couldn’t combine for 30 sacks in 2024.