Cowboys Fix Run Defense With 'Playmaker' Mazi Smith?

The Dallas Cowboys fixed several issues this offseason, but one area still concerns many - the run defense.

The Dallas Cowboys' defense has been a shining light since Dan Quinn took over from Mike Nolan. The Cowboys have led the NFL in takeaways in back-to-back seasons and have one of the most ferocious pass rush groups in the NFL.

But the defense had one weakness ... stopping the run.

And former NFL fullback/now analyst Michael Robinson has listed the run defense as the biggest fix Dallas needs to make this offseason.

"For me, the biggest one is the (run) defense," Robinson said on NFL Total Access. "The Dallas Cowboys are tremendously talented, but when you look at some of their losses last year, they gave up 168 rushing yards in those five losses. Yeah, they were great in taking the football away, but when teams can run the football on you, often there's no need to throw.

"I'm very excited to see their first-round pick, Mazi Smith. The guy's a playmaker, splits double teams, and he should improve this Dallas Cowboys rush defense."

The difference in the amount of rushing yards Dallas gave up in losing games compared to games won is big. As Robinson pointed out, in the Cowboys' five losses, they gave up on average, 168 rushing yards.

But in games, they won...that number was down to 113.3 yards per game. 

The addition of Mazi Smith will no doubt help what a glaring issue for Quinn's defense, as only seven times (including playoffs) did Dallas not concede over 100 rushing yards.

With offseason work continuing and training camp to follow, stopping the run could be the first point of call for the defense with Smith at the center of it.

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