The season is coming. The DNA of Sports editorial team offers you an update on the strengths and weaknesses of the 32 franchises. Today, the Dallas Cowboys 2024. You can find all the presentations by clicking on this link.
The seasons follow one another and are similar. Unfortunately for the Cowboys, they are not the Chiefs, and the similarity between the last three years is not positive. Three years that Dallas finishes the season in 12-5. Three years that hopes are high when the playoffs arrive. Three consecutive failures as soon as the level rises. However, a little originality in 2023: they did not lose against the 49ers. It's worse. Without disrespect to the Packers, the victory of their bottle class against favored Cowboys was the surprise of the season. One too many?
Yet Jerry Jones has played the game of continuity. No flashy moves, no big-time recruiting. Some would say little or no recruiting, period. The Dallas Cowboys have been austere. While they clearly lack something to move up a gear, will stability allow them to take the final steps? Almost 30 years without a title is a lot for America's team.
Last season: 12 wins – 5 losses, 1st in NFC East
Off-season movements
Notable arrivals: Ezekiel Elliott (RB), Royce Freeman (RB), Eric Kendricks (LB), Andrew Booth (CB), Linval Joseph (DT), Dalvin Cook (RB).
Re-signings: Rico Dowdle (RB), Chuma Edoga (G), CJ Goodwin (CB), Jourdan Lewis (CB), Trent Sieg (LS).
Draft: Tyler Guyton (OT), Marshawn Kneeland (DE), Cooper Beebe (C), Marist Liufau (LB), Caelen Carson (CB), Ryan Flournoy (WR), Nathan Thomas (OT), Justin Rogers (DT).
Notable losses: Tony Pollard (RB), Michael Gallup (WR), Tyron Smith (OT), Tyler Biadasz (C), Dante Fowler (DE), Neville Gallimore (DT), Leighton Vander Esch (LB), Stephon Gilmore (CB ), Noah Igbinoghene (CB), Jayron Kearse (S).
The offseason drama wasn't about signing new players, it was about retaining stars. CeeDee Lamb, who missed training camp due to a contract issue, finally got what he wanted. $136 million over the next four seasons, making him the league's second-highest-paid receiver.
Aside from this extension, there is not much to get your teeth into. The most important movements are in the running back committee. Exit Tony Pollard, who did not convince in his first season as number 1. The Dallas Cowboys have chosen experience. Ezekiel Elliott is returning to Dallas, after only one season away from Texas. Royce Freeman is also joining the ship. Finally, Dalvin Cook has also signed with the Cowboys. It is difficult to predict the future, but this committee is not getting any younger.
As with the running backs, the staff decided to do something rehashed. Exit Dan Quinn, who left for Washington and the running back position head coach. Former Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer is taking his place as defensive coordinator. A position he knows well, having held it here from 2000 to 2006. He will be reunited with Eric Kendricks, his linebacker for seven years in Minnesota.
On the departure side, some historic players have left Dallas. Tyron Smith, anchor of the offensive line for 13 seasons, left for the Jets. Leighton Vander Esch, undermined by injuries, has chosen retirement. As has Michael Gallup, who had signed with the Raiders before retiring. Finally, Stephon Gilmore has joined the Vikings.
Typical team:
Quarterback: Dak Prescott. Running back: Ezekiel Elliott. Receivers: CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, Jalen Tolbert. Tight end: Jake Ferguson. Offensive Line: Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Brock Hoffman, Zack Martin, Terence Steele.
Defensive line: Demarcus Lawrence, Mazi Smith, Osa Odighizuwa, Micah Parsons. Linebackers: Damone Clark, Eric Kendricks. Cornerbacks: Trevon Diggs, Caelen Carson, Jourdan Lewis. Safeties: Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson.
The strong point(s)
The Cowboys' defense has been recognized as one of the best in recent seasons, and it owes it to one man: Micah Parsons. Sure, the defense is a whole, and it has a lot of good players. But none of them have the level of Parsons. It's simple: he's the team's jack of all trades. Over his first three seasons in the NFL, he's compiled 40.5 sacks and 7 forced fumbles. Favorite for the title of defensive player of the year, he carries the entire Dallas defense on his back.
His counterpart in attack is CeeDee Lamb. A worthy heir to the number 88, symbolic among Dallas Cowboys receivers, Lamb continues to improve. No one caught more balls than him last season (135). A real security for Dak Prescott. With his new contract, he is in it for the long term in Texas and will continue to torment opposing defenses. Not the most media-friendly of the Cowboys players, Lamb remains a spectacular and terribly effective player in all zones.
Often overlooked, special teams play a crucial role in the Cowboys' success. Brandon Aubrey's great story has completely made us forget Brett Maher's laughable failures in the 2022 playoffs. The former football player, now a kicker, left the round ball to become one of the very best in the world in his field. With only two missed kicks last year, Aubrey was the nice surprise in Dallas. Let's not forget punter Bryan Anger, a two-time All-Pro in the last three seasons, and the excellent returner Kavontae Turpin.
The weak point(s)
Trevon Diggs' near-blank season has allowed The Hatching of DaRon Blandauthor of 9 interceptions in 2023, including 5 returned for touchdowns. With the return to form of Diggs, who had stolen 11 balls in 2021, the cornerback duo was announced as a real interception machine. Unfortunately for Dallas, Bland fractured his foot, and could at best make his return mid-October. With Jourdan Lewis installed as nickel, rookie Caelen Carson could take his place. Not exactly a guarantee.
The other flaw in this defense is the running game. Not catastrophic in 2023, it is also not reassuring and lacks a leader. Eric Kendricks must bring his experience in this area, but the first curtain Smith-Odighizuwa lacks reference in the NFL. If it should not be a problem in the regular season, the defense against the run could be the Achilles heel in the playoffs. Especially when we risk facing Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Bijan Robinson or Derrick Henry.
X Factor: Ground Game
After seven seasons with Ezekiel Elliott as their No. 1 running back, the Dallas Cowboys did what many were asking for in 2023: hand Tony Pollard the keys to the truck. Elliott left for New England, and Pollard finally got the chance to prove what he was capable of. The problem: he didn't do it. 2 yards and 3 touchdowns fewer than in 2022 on 59 more carries. Tony Pollard's season as a starter in Dallas was a failure. At the end of his contract, he chose to leave for the Titans. So, who to replace Pollard? Ezekiel Elliott, of course.
In sharp decline for nearly four years, Elliott has been bad with the Patriots. So why this choice? It seems unlikely that Ezekiel Elliott will be an undisputed number 1 running back. The Cowboys should rely on a committee. To do that, they also recruited Royce Freeman and especially Dalvin Cook. Names that would have made people salivate if we were still in 2018. But today, in 2024, this squad looks more like a pre-retirement home than an offensive threat.
Will Mike McCarthy have the courage to play the best, or will he settle for the most famous? Because the best may not be any of the three players named above. Rico Dowdle finally got some opportunities to play last season, and he was pretty convincing. The smaller Deuce Vaughn has a very intriguing profile and is patiently waiting for his chance. Both of these players probably have less pure talent than the players named above, but they have freshness and youth. At a position with limited durability like running back, those things matter.
Player to watch: Dak Prescott (QB)
Over the years, everyone is starting to know how Dak Prescott works.
When all the lights are green, he performs. In 2023, that was the case. His offensive line performed well, he was able to rely on a receiver of the caliber of CeeDee Lamb, and his tight end Jake Ferguson was good. Dak Prescott was therefore able to shine and make his offense shine, with 36 touchdowns for 9 interceptions and 69.5% of passes completed. He even finished second in the MVP voting, behind Lamar Jackson.
The previous season had been more complicated. He had been injured, several players on his line as well, and he had thrown only 23 touchdowns for 15 interceptions. He is also criticized for his lack of mentality in important games, with two interceptions in each of the two decisive games of the Cowboys during the last two playoff campaigns.
That's how Dak Prescott works. A brilliant player when his team is doing well, but a struggler when he needs to take the reins. If he can get the Dallas Cowboys to win when nothing is going their way, and he can at least get them to the conference finals, we can finally say that he's turned a corner. Without that, Jerry Jones might start looking elsewhere, as contract negotiations are expected next offseason. This year or never, probably.
Dallas Cowboys 2024 Schedule
@Browns, Saints, Ravens, @Giants, @Steelers, Lions, bye, @49ers, @Falcons, Eagles, Texans, @Commanders, Giants, Bengals, @Panthers, Buccaneers, @Eagles, Commanders.
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In summary
It's hard to expect more from the Cowboys than what they've shown over the past three seasons. The Dallas Cowboys' group is talented, but it lacks depth. The departures of Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz on the offensive line will be difficult to fill, and the inconsistency of their quarterback in important games is scary. The roster hasn't improved, and it's hard to expect too much from them.
Yet, despite these losses and expected difficulties, Dallas will absolutely have to perform. Mike McCarthy is in the last year of his contract, and Jerry Jones, although historically patient with his coaches, must be tired of stagnation. Dak Prescott is also playing for his future, in addition to his credibility and his status as a franchise quarterback. Under these conditions, the Cowboys should get by in the regular season and go for the playoffs. As for what comes next, their opponents seem much better equipped than they are.
