What Nobody Wants To Say About The Cowboys Defense

Download the Kalshi app and use code ATOZ to get $20 when you trade $20. Kalshi. Trade on anything. Sign up today: http://kalshi.com/r/ATOZ Sponsor Disclosure: Kalshi: 18+ only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Event contract trading involves risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Kalshi products are not available in all jurisdictions. Prices, values, and available markets may differ from those mentioned. For more information see kalshi.com/regulatory. The Dallas Cowboys defense is currently ranked 30th in EPA per play. So why is Mauricio Rodriguez still optimistic about where this unit is headed? Because there are three specific reasons to believe the Cowboys defense can improve significantly throughout the 2026 season. The goal isn't suddenly to turn Dallas into the Legion of Boom or the Doomsday Defense. The offseason goal was much more realistic: build a defense that is good enough to complement the Cowboys' offense, win enough games and help Dallas reach the playoffs. After two weeks, Mauricio believes the Cowboys can still reach that goal. The first reason is the biggest one: coverage. The Cowboys' coverage was dramatically better against Washington than it was against the New York Giants in Week 1. Dallas gave up far fewer obvious communication errors, and there were multiple plays where Jayden Daniels was forced to scramble because his receivers were covered. That is a major development for a defense that looked completely out of sync in the season opener. There was still a big play allowed when Coby Durant was beaten deep, but Mauricio believes that was a physical mistake rather than a blown assignment. The distinction matters because Dallas' biggest Week 1 problem was communication. The second reason for optimism is rookie linebacker Jaishawn Barham. Barham was thrown into the Mike linebacker role after DeMarvion Overshown's injury, and he looked much more comfortable against Washington. He played downhill, took on blocks, worked through traffic and made plays in coverage. Barham finished with four stops and forced a fumble. Mauricio believes Barham's emergence could also allow the Cowboys to use Overshown more effectively when he returns, potentially giving Dallas a more physical linebacker combination. There is still one concern: Barham's conditioning. But Mauricio believes the overall trajectory is encouraging. The third reason is Caleb Downs. The first-round rookie is already showing the versatility Dallas expected when it drafted him. Downs has been used from depth, near the line of scrimmage, as a blitzer and in coverage. He has also shown excellent tackling ability and instincts. Mauricio believes Downs can become the chess piece the Cowboys need on defense. And there may be an immediate schematic fix coming as well. Dallas has repeatedly struggled with defensive line stunts, including during training camp and through the first two games. Mauricio believes the Cowboys can simply reduce the number of stunts they run and allow their defensive linemen to attack more directly. Against Jayden Daniels, several of those stunts created enormous running lanes when Dallas dropped down to only two or three defensive linemen. That is the type of problem that can be corrected quickly. The Cowboys defense is not fixed. But Mauricio believes the improvement from Week 1 to Week 2, Barham's development, Caleb Downs' impact and some obvious schematic adjustments give Dallas legitimate reasons to be hopeful. Can Christian Parker turn this defense into a top-20 unit? Mauricio explains why he believes it's possible. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Dallas for daily Dallas Cowboys news, analysis, game previews and reaction throughout the 2026 NFL season. 0:00 Why Mauricio is hopeful about the Cowboys defense 0:35 What the offseason goal actually was 1:06 Cowboys vs. Ravens expectations 1:29 The Cowboys' chances in Brazil 2:38 Reason No. 1: Coverage is improving 3:28 Why Week 2 looked different 4:08 Coby Durant's big mistake 4:41 Why Week 1 to Week 2 matters 4:58 Reason No. 2: Jaishawn Barham 5:50 Barham's breakout performance 6:12 What happens when Overshown returns 6:37 Barham's conditioning concern 7:05 Reason No. 3: Caleb Downs 7:45 Why Downs is becoming a chess piece 8:35 More defensive fixes are coming 9:00 Cowboys need to stop running so many stunts 9:43 Why Mauricio is optimistic #DallasCowboys #Cowboys #CowboysDefense #NFL #CalebDowns #JaishawnBarham Make A to Z Sports your preferred source on Google: https://google.com/preferences/source?q=atozsports.com Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: https://atozsports.com/games ✭ For more Cowboys coverage be sure to follow here: https://atozsports.com/nfl/dallas-cowboys-news/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AtoZDallas Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atozsportsdallas/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AtoZSportsDallas TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@atozsportsdallas