Markquese Moves: Dallas Cowboys Position Change for Bell Under Coach Mike Zimmer

Breakout Dallas Cowboys defender Markquese Bell will move back to his original position under new defensive coordinator

Markquese Bell found success away from his natural safety position last season, as the Dallas Cowboys defender recorded 94 tackles while primarily lining up as a linebacker.

Reportedly, his stint at linebacker may be short-lived, though. According to David Moore of the Dallas Morning News, Bell will move back to safety next season under new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.

Nov 19, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (30)

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While Bell found success as a linebacker under former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, Zimmer is an entirely different beast. The former Minnesota Vikings head coach likes his linebackers to be on the bigger side, and at 6-3 and 205 pounds, Bell is a bit undersized to fit that criteria.

Even considering that, moving Bell back to safety has a noticeable impact on the Cowboys' depth at linebacker. Damone Clark, newcomer Eric Kendricks and DeMarvion Overshown, who missed his entire rookie season with a preseason ACL tear, but there's practically no depth behind them. No, Micah Parsons doesn't count as he's much more of a pass-rusher than a traditional off-ball linebacker.

With the lackluster depth at linebacker, the Cowboys could very well target the position in the draft. They've already scheduled a meeting with Michigan's Junior Colson, and have been connected to other top linebacker prospects as well.

Meanwhile, Bell will rejoin Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson and Juanyeh Thomas in a solid Dallas safety room.