Dak Prescott and co. led the NFL in scoring last season, but it felt that the offense didn't live up to its full potential down the stretch. This offseason, the Cowboys didn't do much to address their losses.
There is also a huge debate on who will be the starting running back. The Cowboys aren't all that interested in this debate and want Ezekiel Elliott to continue to be the starter, although Tony Pollard has shown he can outshine him.
How Pollard turns out mostly falls on the shoulders of Kellen Moore, and it can be worrisome. He's shown glimpses of getting the offense going with creativity and aggression, but he seemed to fall back on a quieter approach, where early down runs with Zeke are more common and the passing game becomes more ho-hum.
Though losing Amari Cooper will hurt, this gives the opportunity for CeeDee Lamb to have a Year 3 breakout. However, Michael Gallup is expected to miss multiple games as he continues to rehab from a torn ACL, and James Washington is expected to miss between 6 and 10 weeks with a fractured foot, so this leaves the depth receivers to step up in their absences.
The TE position has the shadow of the Dalton Schultz contract negotiations with it as he held out for the latter part of OTAs, and given Stephen Jones' history of contract negotiations, this could carry over to training camp.
The offensive line used to be the biggest bright spot on the Cowboys, but that has changed last season. Out of all the positions on the O-line, Zack Martin is the only lock. Tyron Smith has the LT spot locked on paper, but he has not started an entire season since 2016. Tyler Biadasz appears to have his spot locked unless he loses it in training camp. Tyler Smith is a rookie, so it's not known if he starts at right tackle or at left guard, but with Terence Steele at right tackle with the departure of La'el Collins, the left guard position is more likely.
The defense last season was not the liability that Cowboys fans saw in recent years. But there are still questions despite the impact of Micah Parsons and the Year 2 jump from Trevon Diggs. They were 29th in scoring percentage conceded per possession. They created the most turnovers in the league, but if they weren't forcing them, they were getting scored on, and that was exploited by elite offensive teams.
However, Diggs and Jayron Kearse were unexpected emerging defensive backs, with Diggs leading the league in interceptions and Kearse taking on a hybrid safety/linebacker role. Kearse has thrived under Dan Quinn, but Diggs is subject to regression.
On the front seven, with Randy Gregory leaving, this leaves a hole opposite to DeMarcus Lawrence on who will start, and it's likely either one of Dorance Armstrong or rookie Sam Williams. The interior of the defensive line wasn't great either, and the hope relies on Osa Odighizuwa and Neville Gallimore improving on what they showed last season.
This team, overall, got worse in the offseason and that's never a good sign. Questions remain on if they can keep up pace, though they are likely going to face a tough push for the NFC East crown from the Eagles.
Draft Picks
Round | Pick | Position | Player | College |
1 | 24 | OT | Tyler Smith | Tulsa |
2 | 56 | DE | Sam Williams | Ole Miss |
3 | 88 | WR | Jalen Tolbert | South Alabama |
4 | 129 | TE | Jake Ferguson | Wisconsin |
5 | 155 | OT | Matt Waletzko | North Dakota |
5 | 167 | CB | DaRon Bland | Fresno State |
5 | 176 | LB | Damone Clark | LSU |
5 | 178 | DT | John Ridgeway | Arkansas |
6 | 193 | LB | Devin Harper | Oklahoma State |
Key Losses
WR Amari Cooper: Traded to Browns
OT La'el Collins: Signed with Bengals
OG Connor Williams: Signed with Dolphins
DE Randy Gregory: Signed with Broncos
WR Cedrick Wilson Jr.: Signed with Dolphins
S/LB Keanu Neal: Signed with Buccaneers
S Damontae Kazee: Signed with Steelers
WR Malik Turner: Signed with 49ers
TE Blake Jarwin: Unsigned free agent
CB Maurice Canady: Signed with Giants
K Greg Zuerlein: Signed with Jets
Key Additions & Extensions
WR Michael Gallup: 5-year extension, $62.5 million
S Jayron Kearse: 2-year extension, $10 million
DE Dorance Armstrong: 2-year extension, $13 million
P Bryan Anger: 3-year extension, $9 million
LB Anthony Barr: 1-year deal, $3 million
LB Leighton Vander Esch: 1-year extension, $3 million
WR James Washington: 1-year deal, $1.187 million
FS Malik Hooker: 2-year extension, $8 million
LB Luke Gifford: 1-year extension, $1.1 million
DE Dante Fowler Jr.: 1-year deal, $3 million
WR Noah Brown: 1-year extension, $1.187 million
DT Carlos Watkins: 1-year extension, $1.187 million
LS Jake McQuaide: 1-year extension, $1.2 million
Biggest Questions
Will the retool of the offensive line work?
Is the receiving core good enough?
Is Tony Pollard for real or was he just a mirage?
Who from their 2021 draft class makes a 2nd-year jump?
Was last year's defense a fluke or is it a sign that Dan Quinn can bring a new life to them?
Schedule
Week 1: Sunday, 9/11, vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 8:20 PM on NBC
Week 2: Sunday, 9/18, vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 4:25 PM on CBS
Week 3: Monday, 9/26, at New York Giants, 8:15 PM on ESPN
Week 4: Sunday, 10/2, vs. Washington Commanders, 1:00 PM on FOX
Week 5: Sunday, 10.9, at Los Angeles Rams, 4:25 PM on FOX
Week 6: Sunday, 10/16, at Philadelphia Eagles, 8:20 PM on NBC
Week 7: Sunday, 10/23, vs. Detroit Lions, 1:00 PM on CBS
Week 8: Sunday, 10/30, vs. Chicago Bears, 1:00 PM on FOX
Week 9: BYE WEEK
Week 10: Sunday, 11/13, at Green Bay Packers, 4:25 PM on FOX
Week 11: Sunday, 11/20, at Minnesota Vikings, 4:25 PM on CBS
Week 12: Thursday, 11/24, vs. New York Giants, 4:30 PM on FOX
Week 13: Sunday, 12/4, vs. Indianapolis Colts, 8:20 PM on NBC
Week 14: Sunday, 12/11, vs. Houston Texans, 1:00 PM on FOX
Week 15: Sunday, 12/18, at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1:00 PM on FOX
Week 16: Saturday, 12/24, vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 PM on FOX
Week 17: Thursday, 12/29, at Tennessee Titans, 8:15 PM on AMAZON PRIME
Week 18: 1/7 or 1/8, at Washington Commanders, Time and network TBD
Projected Starters
1 RB 3 WR 1 TE Offense
Position | # | Player |
QB | 4 | Dak Prescott |
RB | 20/21 | Ezekiel Ellilott/Tony Pollard |
WR | 88 | CeeDee Lamb |
WR | 13 | Michael Gallup |
WR | 83 | James Washington |
TE | 86 | Dalton Schultz |
LT | 77 | Tyron Smith |
LG | 73 | Tyler Smith |
C | 63 | Tyler Biadasz |
RG | 70 | Zack Martin |
RT | 78 | Terence Steele |
Nickel Defense
Position | # | Player |
DE | 90 | DeMarcus Lawrence |
DT | 97 | Osa Odighizuwa |
DT | 96 | Neville Gallimore |
DE | 92 | Dorance Armstrong |
LB | 55 | Leighton Vander Esch |
LB | 11 | Micah Parsons |
CB | 3 | Anthony Brown |
NB | 2 | Jourdan Lewis |
SS | 27 | Jayron Kearse |
FS | 28 | Malik Hooker |
CB | 7 | Trevon Diggs |
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