The ESPN analyst hit the nail right on the head.
Following injuries from both sides of the ball in the 2024 season, the Dallas Cowboys need to utilize their new talent to overcome a dissatisfying 7-10 record.
The first major move of the offseason was re-signing defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa to a four-year contract extension. The offseason momentum kept quietly rolling with Dallas signing Dante Fowler, Kenneth Murray, Solomon Thomas and Jack Sanborn to improve a defense that ranked 29th against the run in 2024.
ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky exposed what Dallas needs this season more than anything: A bigger investment in the defensive line, specifically the interior. If that doesn’t happen, opposing offensive lines are going to bulldoze their way forward just like last season.
Dan Orlovsky exposes Cowboys greatest flaw (and he’s right)
On ESPN’s NFL Live, the former NFL quarterback poke checked the Cowboys as a team that’s going to have its hands full on the defensive side of the ball. If the front seven doesn’t get bigger fast, it might mean for some field days for opposing ground attacks.
“There’s one (defensive lineman) over 280. When I’m playing Philly, I’m thinking Matt LeFleur running the football, I’m thinking what Chicago has done with their offense… I’m going to be very interested to see the annual question about this Cowboys defense. Are you big enough to handle the modern-day offense in the NFL? Because, it’s back to being what it was in the early 2000s. “Dan Orlovsky
In one proposed trade, the Cowboys would land in heaven if they’re able to pull off acquiring Lions veteran DT D.J. Reader. Weighing at 327 pounds, Reader already has raw size to match the physicality of the opposing offensive lines. Reader would be a day-one starter and a ginormous help to match opposing teams’ offensive lines.
Pro Football Focus recently wrote an article ranking the offensive lines in the NFL. The Cowboys will face six of the top 10 this season, one of whom is Washington, who will play Dallas twice.
Orlovsky is viewed as a Cowboys troll in Dallas because for his anti-Dak Prescott takes, but this concern is legitimate and echoed by most of the fan base.
If the front office doesn’t beef up the defensive trenches, or trade for someone like Reader, before the regular season it could make for some frustrating Sundays.