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Can Cowboys' best D-lineman build on last season's dramatic improvement after suspension?
By David Moore
DeMARCUS LAWRENCE
Position: Starting defensive end
Size: 6-foot-3, 265 pounds
Age when season starts: 24
College: Boise State
Drafted: Second round, 34th overall in 2014
Experience: Third season
Contract status: Enters the third season of a 4-year, $5.5 million rookie deal.
Last season
Lawrence led all defensive linemen with 56 tackles. He struggled against the run early in the season, but did an outstanding job of setting the edge as the season progressed. He led the Cowboys in sacks with eight and his finished strong, with seven of those coming in the final eight games of the season. He finished second to Hardy with 31 quarterback pressures and came up with another eight tackles for a loss to finish third on the team in that category. He also forced a fumble.
This season's outlook
Lawrence enters the season as the Cowboys best defensive lineman. That makes his loss for the first four games of the season as he serves a suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy even more damaging.
Lawrence excelled at left defensive end last season. He may find himself playing more on the right side when he returns. He appears to lack that elite burst that sets the top right defensive ends apart, but unless Randy Gregory builds on a disappointing rookie season it's likely he'll spend more time there.
Can Lawrence take the next step and record double-digits in sacks despite missing the first four games? That's the question.
By David Moore
DeMARCUS LAWRENCE
Position: Starting defensive end
Size: 6-foot-3, 265 pounds
Age when season starts: 24
College: Boise State
Drafted: Second round, 34th overall in 2014
Experience: Third season
Contract status: Enters the third season of a 4-year, $5.5 million rookie deal.
Last season
Lawrence led all defensive linemen with 56 tackles. He struggled against the run early in the season, but did an outstanding job of setting the edge as the season progressed. He led the Cowboys in sacks with eight and his finished strong, with seven of those coming in the final eight games of the season. He finished second to Hardy with 31 quarterback pressures and came up with another eight tackles for a loss to finish third on the team in that category. He also forced a fumble.
This season's outlook
Lawrence enters the season as the Cowboys best defensive lineman. That makes his loss for the first four games of the season as he serves a suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy even more damaging.
Lawrence excelled at left defensive end last season. He may find himself playing more on the right side when he returns. He appears to lack that elite burst that sets the top right defensive ends apart, but unless Randy Gregory builds on a disappointing rookie season it's likely he'll spend more time there.
Can Lawrence take the next step and record double-digits in sacks despite missing the first four games? That's the question.
