Opening Statement: The suspension drama involving Zeke Elliott last season really cast a long shadow over the Cowboys in 2017, but they still managed a 5-1 record within the division, including a 6-0 bore fest win over the eventual champion Eagles in the season finale. What the Cowboys should be seeking for the 2018 season is calm. A drama free season would go far in further developing Dak Prescott at QB, and in reducing the off-field issues, the Cowboys may just be able to move in a forward direction and get back to the playoffs, but only if they can find a way to answer some deep questions about the roster.
Quarterback Breakdown
Prescott is the man, and of that there is no doubt. He had some solid moments in 2017, but there are still some pressing issues with turning over the football, and his 22/13 TD:INT ratio. He completed 62.9% of his passes, but what will be something that bares watching with him is who he will find to throw the football to. We will discuss that shortly. Prescott adds a second dimension in the run game, as he averaged 6.3 yards per carry last season, but the Cowboys cannot become reliant on him running the football, or they will risk their best asset at the position to severe injury over time. Prescott has been solid, but this 3rd year in the league will be paramount to deciding whether or not he can be the real deal across the board.
Depth behind Prescott at the position is not all that solid. They need him to remain healthy.
Cooper Rush is now in
year 2, and was shockingly the backup last season. He attempted all of 3 passes
last season, and canot be relied upon if something happens to Prescott. He
could even be pushed by rookie Mike White, who was drafted in the 5th round.
White had a back step in production in his final season at Western Kentucky, but
that was heavily based on a coaching change, and White did not fit the new
style of offense. White is not ready for field action as of now, and will need
some solid development time. Dalton Sturm is a non roster invite to training
camp, but he is a long shot to make it into the season on the active
roster.
Running Back Breakdown
Zeke Elliott returns for
a full season, which is great news for both the run game and the passing game,
as he is a huge threat in both facets of the offense. He ran for 983 yards last
season and 7 scores, but he was distracted, dealing with impending suspension.
The biggest issue for Elliott will be whether or not he can keep his head
right. That has always been an issue with him, and it came back to haunt him
last season. If he can keep himself in line, on and off of the field, the
Cowboys benefit greatly.
Rod Smith returns as the
primary backup and 3rd down back, but is in the final year of his current deal.
He carried just 55 times last fall, and may get pushed in camp. Tavon Austin
was added via trade, and will be a multi-purpose player at both RB and WR, and
could take work away from Smith. Bo Scarbrough was added in the draft, and
could be a punishing short yardage back, but has to earn his way in as a 7th
round pick. It would not shock me to see him stick. Trey Williams was stuck on
the practice squad last season, and his odds are long.
Jamize Olawale was
acquired via trade with Oakland to take on the FB job, and could be one of the
more unsung backs in the league. He should have a solid impact in the run game
as the lead blocker.
Receiver Breakdown
Dez Bryant is gone, and
Allen Hurns is probably being leaned on more than anyone else to replace him as
a free agent signing. The problem is that Hurns is probably not up to that task
all by himself. Hurns is solid, but the role of leading receiver may have to
take on several names this season, and depth is not great. Terrence Williams
has never really lived up to this billing in Dallas, and he is a free agent
after the season. Short of having a huge season, he likely will not be back.
Deonte Thompson played in all 16 games last season in Buffalo, but his spot is
not locked down on this roster. Cole Beasley also returns, but he took several
steps back last season, and could be looking at his final season with the
Cowboys short of a huge return to form. The Cowboys upgraded in the draft at
the position by adding Michael Gallup and Cedrick Wilson, and both rookies
could see extensive playing time. Noah Brown and Lance Lenoir will both need to
show something on special teams, but they don't bring much else to the
table.
Breakdown Tight End
With Jason Witten now
retired, the Cowboys are resetting at this position. Geoff Swaim could win the
job, but he is more of a blocker than a receiver, and that could remove an
entire piece from the offense. They may have to use a 2 TE set more often than
not, as Blake Jarwin could be used as more of the receiver (H) TE than the
blocker (Y) that Swaim is. Dalton Schultz was drafted out of Stanford, and he
could have a role this season as a rookie. Rico Gathers may not make the cut,
as the team is really questioning his dedication.
Breakdown Offensive Line
The Cowboys continue to have one of the best lines in football, and there is only one change this fall, with the addition of rookie Connor Williams sliding into the starting LG spot, with the hopes that he will eventually kick out long term to LT. Williams was the Cowboys' first round selection out of Texas, and was considered as a top five lineman by most scouting services. Tyron Smith returns at LT, and is simply one of the best in football. Travis Frederick looks to be an annual pro bowl selection at C, and Zack Martin is a future Hall of Fame candidate at RG. La'El Collins is developing nicely at RT, and the hope is that he will show some major improvement in 2018.
Marcus Martin is a solid add who will back up at both C and G, while Cameron Fleming will be the top backup at the OT spots. Chaz Green (OT), Kadeem Edwards (OG) and Joe Looney (OG) will be looking for reps in camp as well. Edwards and Green are likely on their last shot to make the roster in camp, as they have not developed as the team would have liked. Martin and Fleming were additions as UFAs from New England, and they have made it harder on Green and Edwards to lock down spots.
Breakdown Defensive Line
DeMarcus Lawrence is back on the franchise tag and will be working for a long term deal this season, which should eventually be a no brainer for the franchise to get done. He book ends nicely with Tyrone Crawford, who is a solid player, but gets knocked because he signed an elite contract, and while solid, he is not of elite status at DE. Maliek Collins is back at DT, and may see more of a natural rotation as a DT instead of getting stuck at NT. David Irving also returns at DT, but he has not lived up to what he could be thus far, and looks to prove his talent in a contract year. He is not attending camp because of unspecified off-field issues, and that could signal the end for him.
The Cowboys brought in some depth at DE, and some at DT, but signing Kony Ealy as a UFA from the Jets this off-season. He should see plenty of reps inside and outside, and could be a guy who could push Irving out of a job for the 2019 season if all works out. Taco Charlton was drafted out of Michigan to also add more depth and flexibility up front, but he needs a big year 2 jump to do so to push his way into increased reps. Jihad Ward was acquired in a trade with Seattle, and with Irving out, he could push his way into the starting job at DT. Antwuan Woods was signed to come to camp and compete for time at DT.
Dorance Armstrong was drafted out of Kansas and could see some reps as a RUSH end. Randy Gregory has also been reinstated by the league office, so look for him to get in on some action at DE.
Richard Ash (DT), Datone Jones (DT), Lewis Neal (DT), Brian Price (NT), Daniel Ross (DT), and Charles Tapper (DE) could all be camp cut casualties.
Breakdown LB
The Cowboys drafted Leighton Vander Esch in the 1st round, and he is a beast that receives comparisons to Brian Urlacher. He is a serious threat off the edge, and should be in hunter/killer mode every time he is on the field. He may be a candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year before all is said and done.
Sean Lee is back once again outside, as he comes off a 118 tackles season. He is simply one of the best in the game at this point, and will be the leader of this defense.
Jaylon Smith will start at MLB this season, and showed some pop after missing the 2016 season with a knee injury that had happened in college. He is still a work in progress, but is showing the team that he is developing.
Justin March-Lillard and Damien Wilson are listed as backups outside heading into training camp, but Wilson is in the final year of his deal, and looks to be on the outs. March-Lillard needs to show some pop early in camp to maintain a roster spot. Tre'Von Johnson is the backup at MLB, but again, is no lock to make the cut.
Joe Thomas was signed from Green Bay, and will push one of the mentioned backups out of a job, as he can work at any of the 3 spots in the unit, and should be able to outplay all of them. Chris Covington is an athletic and rangy rookie out of Indiana, and he, too, will be put into a position to win a job as a backup and special teams ace.
Breakdown Secondary
The secondary is not as rock solid as in years past. Byron Jones has been moved to CB from Safety, as the staff is still trying to find the best spot for him as he enters year 4 in the league. He will be joined by second year man Chidobe Awuzie, who spent a chunk of his rookie campaign banged up. Awuzie has big cover skills at CB, but now needs to show that it is all more than potential, and that he can do the job and stay on the field this season.
Xavier Woods is stepping into the FS job, but again, he is more potential than real production at this point. The Cowboys are taking a real chance here. Kavon Frazier is being given a run at SS, but again, is unproven as a full time starter.
If Frazier does not work out as a starter at SS, he slides over as the backup to Woods, while Jeff Heath and Jameill Showers will then take their shots at SS. Showers is a former QB making the transition to defense, but does not have a guaranteed deal at this time.
Anthony Brown is a solid backup at CB, and should be considered a lock to break camp. He can cover both sides of the field, and is likely the NB against the SLOT. JOurdan Lewis will likely backup at CB as well, and will have an even shot at NB, and should see time in the DIME as well.
Marqueston Huff (CB) and Duke Thomas (CB) are both on the roster currently, but wil have a tough time making the cut.
Breakdown Special Teams
Dan Bailey is back at PK, but came back weakly from injury last season, and had a miserable final month. He could be pushed by camp body Brett Maher.
Chris Jones has no such problem at Punter, as he averaged 44.1 yards per punt, and nailed down 34 punts inside the 20 last season. He is a lock.
LP Ladouceur is back as the long snapper, but rookie Scott Daly could give him a solid push in camp.
Rookie Jordan Chunn could see some work at KR in camp, and could join KD Cannon on kickoffs this season.
Cole Beasley likely sticks to his PR job, but has competition in camp from Lance Lenoir and Marchie Murdock, a rookie out of Iowa State.
Final Analysis: The Cowboys should bounce back somewhat from a severely disappointing 2017 season, but they do not have enough talent to remove the Eagles as the class of the NFC East. There are issues at WR that must be ironed out, and the 4 TEs who should see a majority of work in camp combined for just 9 catches last season, and with Witten and Bryant both gone, the Cowboys have a huge void to fill in the passing game. Defensively, the Cowboys look solid up front, but depth at LB and in the secondary could come back to haunt them if injuries start to take hold early in the season. The Cowboys are still in the hunt for a trade in training camp, as they were seriously discussing a deal for Earl Thomas with Seattle recently. I am not certain that is the deal that takes place, but they are in the hunt for some help in the secondary, specifically at Safety. All in all, I expect a solid season, but not solid enough to win the Super Bowl, or win the NFC East. A playoff birth will have to suffice.
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