Cowboys roster battle: Juanyeh Thomas vs Markquese Bell
Former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn experimented with personnel groupings, including playing safety Markquese Bell as a full-time linebacker last season. With Mike Zimmer now in charge, Bell is expected to return to his natural position of safety, creating an intriguing battle for the Cowboys.
Bell was a key component of the linebacker unit last season, and while he was outmatched at times, he rose to the occasion and impressed in a difficult scenario. However, as we turn the page to 2024, with Jayron Kearse still unsigned, Bell is now in the mix at safety, competing for the third slot behind mainstays Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson.
Bell is willing to play down in the box and stop the run, as seen by his LB reps last season. However, minimizing his run game exposure while still demonstrating his range in pass defense against TEs and RBs down the field in coverage will help him to play a more appropriate role. With a new man in charge and a new year to focus on, Bell will need to impress Zimmer as he returns to safety, but there is no reason to expect it will be a difficult transition for him.
Where things could go astray for Bell in his pursuit of substantial playing time lies with his teammate Juanyeh Thomas and his ability to swoop in and snatch the role.
Thomas doesn’t have the same amount of live action that Bell does as he didn’t play nearly as many reps on defense as Bell did last year. However, what he does have on his side is a more seamless transition into a Mike Zimmer defense without having to re-learn a position like Bell needs to do.
Nothing is set in stone here, and the fact that Bell played extensively at linebacker for Quinn means little when it comes to Zimmer’s third safety post this season. With so much uncertainty, this duel between two young and talented defenders will be an interesting storyline to follow when Dallas arrives in Oxnard.
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