Adjusting won’t be a problem for Dante Fowler Jr. under Matt Eberflus.
Veteran edge rusher Dante Fowler Jr. is going into his 11th season in the NFL. The former first-round pick has bounced around to several different teams and played for a number of different defensive coordinators.
He played his first four years in Jacksonville under defensive coordinator Todd Wash. After missing his rookie year with a torn ACL, Fowler put up four sacks in 16 games in 2016, although he played barley over half of the team’s defensive snaps. He would play only 45% of the defensive snaps the next season, but he managed to get eight sacks. Fowler would be traded to the Los Angeles Rams in 2018, and he would play under defensive coordinator Wade Phillips for the next two seasons. In 2019, Fowler had his best season as a pro under Phillips with a career-high 11.5 sacks.
In four of the last five seasons, Fowler had played under Dan Quinn. The first two were with the Atlanta Falcons, but a knee injury derailed his 2021 campaign. As a backup in Dallas for two seasons, Fowler produced 10 sacks. In his one season with the Washington Commanders in 2024, also under Quinn after he took the head coaching job, Fowler put up 10.5 sacks despite playing just 52% of the defensive snaps. Now, Fowler is back in Dallas on a one-year deal, and he’ll play under new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. Fowler spoke on what he expects under a defense led by him, and the veteran is confident he’ll fit in per Jon Machota.
I know this is going to be a fast, physical defense. I’m looking forward to it. I’m a hybrid so I can adjust to anything. … Whatever the scheme is, I’m going to adapt to it, I’m going to adjust to it and I’ll be ready to go.
Eberflus runs a 4-3 base scheme that is geared towards a lot of zone coverage, which makes getting after the quarterback a huge priority. Fowler fits that mold. Micah Parsons will be on one edge drawing all the attention. Osa Odighizuwa will be a presence at the 3-tech. If Mazi Smith can keep improving and give the Cowboys something at the 1-tech, having a player like Fowler come off the other edge can make things difficult for opposing offenses on critical passing downs.
The Cowboys are hoping that Sam that Williams recovers from his torn ACL and that he finally starts to reach his ceiling in year four. Also, there’s Marshawn Kneeland, who is looking to have a better second season after dealing with a torn meniscus that slowed his progress. However, Fowler gives the Cowboys an instant veteran presence as an effective situational pass rusher. That’s what Fowler does. He gets after the quarterback, and he’s just the type of player you want coming off the edge opposite a guy like All-Pro Parsons when it’s third and long.
Dallas still needs to add some more depth to their defensive end group, and they’ll undoubtedly look to add one in the NFL draft. Getting Fowler back in the mix was a smart move by the Cowboys, and likely the best one they’ve made in free agency thus far.