How Marist Liufau fits with the Cowboys new defensive coaching staff

The Dallas Cowboys enter the new season facing a harsh reality at the linebacker position. Last season was a defensive catastrophe as the team surrendered 125 rushing yards per game, ranking them in the bottom 10 of the league. They also committed 112 missed tackles, the most in the NFC. The second level of the defense often looked dazed and confused while ball carriers bounced off defenders as if they were in a Disney movie.

With the Cowboys currently holding two draft picks in the first round, the front office may take a shot at one of the top collegiate linebackers to help stabilize the defense. Ohio State’s Sonny Styles could be a player given heavy consideration as he checks off a lot of boxes and brings a potential star in the mix. Or, the team may trade back and go after one of the handful of readymade starters available on Day 2 of the draft. They definitely have options if they position themselves correctly.

How important the linebacker position is largely depends on what the new coaching staff thinks of the current linebackers already on the roster. The Cowboys have a few of their own young draft picks still on their rookie contract, and how they fit with the new staff should dictate how aggressive the team is to upgrade this position. Marist Liufau is one of those players.

Liufau remains an interesting figure in this rebuilding effort. After two seasons of wildly inconsistent play, it’s not really clear if he’s going to take a step forward or continue the course as a backup/special teamer. His rookie season looked promising. He played all 17 games, logging 47% of the defensive snaps. He recorded 50 tackles, had 1.5 sacks, three passes defended, and two forced fumbles. Last year, his defensive snap count dropped to just 17% as he struggled to maintain a consistent spot in the rotation. Despite the statistical dip, his high motor and special teams contributions keep him in the conversation for a depth role under the new regime.

The former Notre Dame linebacker is defined by his relentless energy. He’s an aggressive attacker and plays with violence. He has an explosive first step that allows him to get into the backfield before the ball carrier has a chance to put his foot in the dirt. While the good can be really good, the bad can also be really bad. His glaring weakness remains his lack of diagnostic instincts, as he frequently bites on play-action or takes poor angles in run support. He has some physical tools to be an impact player, but he also has the frantic energy of a squirrel trying to cross a six-lane highway.

New defensive coordinator Christian Parker is expected to implement a scheme that emphasizes versatility and speed, which makes one wonder what that will mean for Liufau. Parker has a history of utilizing athletic linebackers in simulated pressures to confuse quarterbacks and create free runs at the passer. For Liufau to be a contributor, he’ll need to be a chess piece rather than a traditional middle linebacker, where the coaches can hide his processing issues while exploiting his closing speed.

The transition to a five-man front in certain packages will also benefit Liufau by keeping him clean of interior offensive linemen. If his responsibilities can be simplified and he can play downhill, his effectiveness should improve. He has proven he can be an aggressive runner in both the right and wrong directions.

With a new scheme, it could mean fewer linebackers on the field, and the ones who are there need to have their act together. Parker is known for demanding high situational awareness from his defenders, which will be the ultimate litmus test for Liufau in his third season. The staff will likely use him in situations where he can focus on a single target and mask his play diagnosis deficiencies. And if the coaches can find a way to marry his strengths with a better understanding of NFL offensive concepts, he could become a valuable rotational asset.

The range of outcomes for Liufau’s future in Dallas is rather wide. He is sitting between a breakout third year and a one-way ticket out of the facility. He has the raw materials to work with, but the production must eventually match the potential if he wants to be a part of this hopefully new-and-improved unit. Better decision-making, improved tackling, and more consistent play are necessary if he’s going to be part of this new solution on defense.

Can Marist Liufau cut out a meaningful role in Christian Parker’s defense? Hit the comments and let us know.