Cowboys OTAs Begin: Projection - How Will Dan Quinn Defense Line Up?

What will the Cowboys' starting defensive lineup look like once we get out into the backyard of The Star for OTAs? Our projections for the Micah Parsons-led unit ...

FRISCO - Is it possible, as the Dallas Cowboys open OTAs here today inside The Star, that the projected starting defensive lineup is as talented, as explosive, as good ... as the offense?

We have already projected what the Dak Prescott-led offensive starting lineup might look like as of today ... and as of when we get through training camp.

And below? We project the same for the Dallas defense (and special teams), which aided itself this offseason with the trade for Stephon Gilmore, and hopefully too with an NFL Draft that leaned to some possible immediate help on that side of the ball.

So what will the starting defensive lineup look like once we get out into the backyard of The Star for OTAs? Our projections ...

Defense

Defensive End: DeMarcus Lawrence

Defensive End: Micah Parsons

Defensive Tackle: Osa Odighizuwa

Defensive Tackle: Johnathan Hankins

Linebacker: Leighton Vander Esch

Linebacker: Damone Clark

Cornerback: Trevon Diggs

Cornerback: Stephon Gilmore

Safety: Jayron Kearse

Safety: Malik Hooker

Safety: Donovan Wilson

Some quickie notes from each position group ...

- At defensive end, we can only "pencil in'' Micah at end; in fact, of course, he will continue to move around as a "pass-rushing linebacker,'' as coordinator Dan Quinn put it.

- At defensive tackle, Dallas would obviously love for first-round rookie Mazi Smith to explode on the scene in such a way that he'd start ahead of vet Johnathan Hankins. But we bet we're not quite there yet.

- At linebacker, we've seen projections from national media outlets that are penciling in as starters both Jabril Cox and rookie DeMarvion Overshown ... and we're not sure how that math adds up. We don't think that's intel coming from here inside The Star.

- In the secondary, we list three starting safeties. But of course slot corner DaRon Bland is a "starter'' as well.

Special Teams

Kicker: Tristan Vizcaino

Punter: Bryan Anger

Long-snapper: Trent Sieg

Punt returner: Kavontae Turpin

Kick returner: Kavontae Turpin

We know Dallas isn't done shopping "on earth'' for a new kicker. Robbie Gould, anybody? We also know that rookie running back Deuce Vaughn is a "toy'' that might get a chance to push Turpin. 

And what else do we know? Just that we'll be inside The Star as always to bring info to Cowboys Nation as it happens!

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