The rookie tandem of Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott led the Cowboys to a 13-3 first-place NFC finish before losing to the Packers during the divisional round. If Elliott and Prescott can improve on their rookie seasons this Cowboys team will be more dangerous than ever. The offence looks stacked hosting the best offensive line in the NFL but the defence looks weak and could be the downfall of America's team.
Arrivals/Departures:
Arrivals: Byron Bell, Robert Blanton, Nolan Carroll, Damontre Moore, Stephen Paea
Departures: Brandon Carr, Barry Church, Morris Claiborne, Jack Crawford, Ryan Davis, Lance Dunbar, Gavin Escobar, Doug Free, Ronald Leary, Terrell McClain, Tony Romo, Mark Sanchez, JJ Wilcox
Offence:
Fourth-round pick Dak Prescott tore up the NFL in his rookie year after Tony Romo's season-ending injury, taking the Cowboys to a 13-3 record. Prescott is more likely to step backwards from his rookie campaign rather than forwards because the pressure is on now. Ezekiel Elliott also took the league by storm winning the rushing title by a wide margin over fellow rookie Jordan Howard. If Prescott and Elliott can improve, the offence will be that much more dangerous. Elliott is backed up by two veterans in Darren McFadden and Alfred Morris and both can still play.
Dez Bryant is among the elite receivers in the game and provides a steady consistent target for Prescott. Terrance Williams is a good number two receiver with Cole Beasley manning the slot like the best. Ryan Switzer is like a Beasley clone and will learn from Beasley in his rookie season too. Gritty Jason Witten does not have the same capability he used to have but he still helps to move the chains and leads the Cowboys offence. The offensive line may be the best in the NFL too with freak-of-nature left tackle Tyron Smith leading the line. Smith only trails future hall-of-famer Joe Thomas at his position. Zack Martin and Travis Frederick are the two best run blockers at their respective positions paving the way for Elliott. Rounding out the offensive line will be La'el Collins and Chaz Green.
Defence:
The Cowboys' strength is most definitely not its defence and it could be the reason Dallas fails expectations in the fall. The defence line needs some work as Demarcus Lawrence and Tyrone Crawford start on the edges with first-round pick Taco Charlton serving as the primary backup until he is ready to start. The middle of the line will be occupied by Cedric Thornton and Maliek Collins with Stephen Paea rotating through the unit consistently. Sean Lee leads the linebacker core and is this defence's best player as he punishes running backs so well. Starting alongside him will be Anthony Hitchens and Damien Wilson if Wilson can play with his current legal issues. Jaylon Smith missed his rookie season last year but if he can play like he did at Notre Dame, this defence looks a lot better. Orlando Scandrick and new addition Nolan Carroll start at cornerback with pleasant rookie surprise Anthony Brown getting lots of time too as Scandrick will mainly be a nickel back. Rookie picks Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis will also get a shot at the cornerback position. Byron Jones and Jeff Heath will be the primary safeties but Dallas adds depth at the position with former Viking Robert Blanton.
Special Teams:
Dan Bailey returns as the kicker and he is among the best as he drilled two 50-plus-yard field goals to keep the Cowboys in the divisional playoff game vs Green Bay. Chris Jones returns as their reliable punter with Lucky Whitehead returning kickoffs and punt. Rookie Ryan Switzer will also get a shot in the return game during training camp.
Starters:
Offence
|
Defence
|
Dez Bryant
|
Tyrone Crawford
|
Terrance Williams
|
Cedric Thornton
|
Cole Beasley
|
Maliek Collins
|
Tyron Smith
|
Demarcus Lawrence
|
Chaz Green
|
Damien Wilson
|
Travis Frederick
|
Anthony Hitchens
|
Zack Martin
|
Sean Lee
|
La'el Collins
|
Orlando Scandrick
|
Jason Witten
|
Byron Jones
|
Dak Prescott
|
Jeff Heath
|
Ezekiel Elliott
|
Nolan Carroll
|
28. Taco Charlton
60. Chidobe Awuzie
92. Jourdan Lewis
133. Ryan Switzer
191. Xavier Woods
216. Marquez White
228. Joey Ivie
239. Noah Brown
246. Jordan Carrell
Top 10 Players:
10. Orlando Scandrick
9. Terrance Williams
8. Jason Witten
7. Travis Frederick
6. Sean Lee
5. Zack Martin
4. Dez Bryant
3. Dak Prescott
2. Ezekiel Elliott
1. Tyron Smith
Season Prediction: 10-6 (2nd in NFC East)
Last Year: 13-3
Photo credit for Nolan Carroll goes to http://www.sportsnet.ca/. Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott goes to http://www.cbssports.com/. Sean Lee goes to http://profootballfocus.com/.
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