DL Power Rankings: Staff Writers Order The Defensive Line

One of the most common questions we hear at training camp usually starts with the sentence “what are you seeing out of ...”

And then you just fill in the blank. So after one week of training camp here in sunny California, the Cowboys have yet to list an official depth chart. So the writers of DallasCowboys.com will unveil its position rankings each day.

Tuesday’s practice saw DeMarcus Lawrence go down with a broken foot – an injury that will likely sideline him for the foreseeable future. In the wake of that injury, the staff took a shot at projecting the depth chart without the rookie’s contributions.

Henry Melton (64)
George Selvie  (58)
Tyrone Crawford (56)
Jeremy Mincey (52)
Terrell McClain  (48)
Nick Hayden (43)
Davon Coleman (40)
Martez Wilson (29)
DeMarcus Lawrence (29)
Ken Bishop (28)
Anthony Spencer (28)
Ben Bass (27)
Dartwan Bush (15)
Caesar Rayford (12)
Ben Gardner (11)
Amobi Okoye (4)

Nick Eatman: This was obviously tricky because of guys like Lawrence and Spencer. To me, I ranked Lawrence ninth because I think they’ll keep nine defensive linemen on the roster. Spencer was seventh for me but if he gets healthy, he’ll jump up there to the top two or three. Crawford can be a difference maker and they certainly need him. This list will likely change dramatically the next time around.

Rowan Kavner: It’s a real shame for this group that the Cowboys got rid of the old DeMarcus to get younger and healthier and now have the new DeMarcus out at least the first month of the season. But he’ll make the team, as will Anthony Spencer, even if the latter starts out on PUP. Davon Coleman’s stood out to me more than any rookie thus far early in camp, and the power in Ken Bishop’s arms has also been noticeable. Henry Melton and Jeremy Mincey are going to need to be real difference makers as pass rushers now this season.

David Helman: Through a handful of practices, Henry Melton looks like the explosive force the Cowboys hoped they were signing in March. The big problem here is that DeMarcus Lawrence, who is now missing from the lineup, was one of the top performers behind him. Tyrone Crawford has looked great in his first action back since last season’s injury, and I think the pressure now falls on him to offset the loss. I think Davon Coleman is the most impressive youngster out here and has a great shot to make the final roster. I kept Lawrence ranked relatively high here, because he should return at some point. I’m not overly optimistic about the timetable for Anthony Spencer and Amobi Okoye, which is why they’re so low.

Bryan Broaddus: Another training camp in Oxnard and another situation where this front office will have to replace another down linemen or shuffle the current group around. My gut tells me that they will roll with who they currently have on the roster and see how that will play out. There is some depth at the position with Wilson, Crawford and potentially the use of Kyle Wilber if they need a swing player that can rush. If this front office has to go outside its current group, I have faith they could once again find that right guy.