Much has already been written, and much more will be, about how the Cowboys will be in trouble in 2016 because they don't have a pass rush.

Let's at least compare the players Dallas used on the D-line in 2014, the last time we were good, with the players we have on our roster today.

2014 2016 G - GS Pos. Age Name G - GS Pos. Age Name 16-16 DE 31 Jeremy Mincey DE 23 Randy Gregory 16-13 DE 27 George Selvie DE 24 Benson Mayowa 15-15 DT 25 Tyrone Crawford DT 26 Tyrone Crawford 16-16 DT 28 Nick Hayden DT 27 Cedric Thornton 13-0 DE 30 Anthony Spencer DT/DE 22 David Irving 16-3 DT 28 Henry Melton DT 21 Maliek Collins 13-0 DT 26 Terrell McLain DT 27 Terrell McLain 7-0 DE 22 Demarcus Lawrence DE 24 Demarcus Lawrence 6-0 DT/DE 26 Jack Crawford DT/DE 27 Jack Crawford DE 22? Charles Tapper DE 24 Ryan Russell

What jumps out at you when you start to compare these defensive lines? A couple things jump out at me.

First, the D-Line is much younger going into 2016.

The average age of our 9 linemen was 27, but we had two guys over 30, and two at 28. All four guys are gone.

The average age of our 11 linemen is 24. (Can't find Tapper's age anywhere, so I guessed.) And we don't have anyone who is even 28.

From an endurance standpoint, this is likely a very good thing. The counterbalance is we have several guys with less experience on this line. Collins and Tapper are rookies, Russell didn't get much work last year. Gregory didn't have a great year, and is suspended for 4 games. The wily veteran is probably Thornton instead of Mincey.

Second, in several ways the line looks stronger to me.

Demarcus Lawrence. Not a rookie. Had 8 sacks last year to lead the team, which is more than Mincey had in 2014. Likely better than anyone on the 2014 line going into his 3rd year.

Cedric Thornton. Big upgrade over Nick Hayden inside. Probably better than Tyrone Crawford, though he won't get the sacks.

Terrell McLain. Has real value inside if he can stay healthy. Team missed him last year.

Tyrone Crawford. Should be healthier. We'll see what he can do with better play beside him. Could get a big year out of him.

Third, there are lots of wild cards.

Randy Gregory. Will he make a leap like Lawrence did in his second year, even with the suspension?

David Irving. Like Crawford, maybe Dallas needs to decide if he's a DT or an DE and just keep him there to max out his abilities.

Maliek Collins and Charles Tapper. Rookies often don't offer much, but these guys seem very suited to their new roles, and likely have real rotational upside. Much better than all the 6th rounders we tried to use back in 2014, none of which did much of anything.

Jack Crawford. Likely journeyman who gives you occasional plays.

Ryan Russell. Can he be a player?

Benson Mayowa. What is his upside?

Overall

I see a line that's a lot younger and has more athleticism that needs to learn quickly. There are no dominant players, but there are some very good ones. They will definitely have to come at teams in waves.

What I don't see is a disaster waiting to happen. This line is much better inside than it was in 2014, and we still have Lawrence at DE, and some other players with potential.

What do you think?