Stephen Jones lays out Cowboys’ new defensive philosophy under Mike Zimmer

As the Cowboys approach the 2024 NFL Draft, Dallas exec Stephen Jones shared his take on the shift in the team’s defensive philosophy. Moving on from Dan Quinn and hiring Mike Zimmer, the Cowboys have to have a clear vision for the defense as it looks in 2024, not based on last season. The defensive coordinator is new and the personnel group will also have a major facelift after so many free agency departures and fresh additions from the draft next week.

“Philosophically, I think we’ll have more of a 3-linebacker system rather than a 2-linebacker and 3-safety system,” Jones said Friday, via Jon Machota. ” … I think the other thing is we’ll probably look to be bigger and stronger in the middle.”

Dallas has a depleted linebacker group for a team hoping to lean more heavily on the position after the early medical retirement of former first-rounder Leighton Vander Esch. They’ve made a concerted effort to get to know some of the draft’s best options this offseason by hosting quite a few for top-30 prospect visits. The Cowboys also signed free agent Eric Kendricks, who is a veteran capable of bringing leadership to what will be a relatively young group.

Last year, the team made progress at defensive tackle by drafting first-round pick Mazi Smith. Smith ended up losing weight throughout the season and contributed little. The situation hasn’t improved, however, because several defensive linemen walked in free agency. They also haven’t signed any new free-agent defensive tackles to replace them. Luckily, the draft gives Dallas an opportunity to replenish its stores at a relatively cheap price.

Cowboys looking for ‘bigger bodies’

Jones’ comments echoed those of director of player personnel Will McClay last month.

“It’s a little different scheme,” McClay said, via DallasCowboys.com. “We’re looking for big, athletic football players. Finding guys that have those little nuances that [Mike Zimmer] has. It’s been great for us to spend time with the coaches and hear them talk to players and communicate so we can get a better feel for what that is as well.”

“I think we’re probably going to look more so at those bigger bodies at the inside, stopping that. We’re always looking at linebackers. That’s a position that in free agency and in the draft that we’re going to have to look at because we want to add more players there.”

New Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer had some ferocious defenses when he coached the Minnesota Vikings. In his eight years, Zimmer had defenses ranked inside the top 10 for points allowed for five straight seasons and a defense that ranked first overall once, in 2017.