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Dallas Cowboys: 5 New Year’s resolutions for America’s Team

By Steven Mullenax

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 24: Wide receivers Cole Beasley #11, Terrance Williams #83, and Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys walk to the sidelines in the first quarter of a football game against the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 24: Wide receivers Cole Beasley #11, Terrance Williams #83, and Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys walk to the sidelines in the first quarter of a football game against the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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With 2018 only a day away, we give our five New Year’s resolutions for the Dallas Cowboys heading into next season.

With the new year comes new changes. Or at least, the hope for change. When talking about the Dallas Cowboys, hopefully several changes!

Although the Cowboys could still finish the 2017 NFL regular season with a winning record (sorry, I don’t consider 8-8 a winning record), the fact Dallas is playing a meaningless game in Week 17 and are completely out of playoff contention make this year a bust in Big “D”.

Yet, with 2018 mere hours away, I’d like to set five New Year’s resolutions for America’s Team as they begin to prepare themselves for another season.

#1 – The Cowboys must fix their receiver woes

What is the future for Dez Bryant in Dallas? Will Terrance Williams ever step up his game? Where did Cole Beasley‘s production go? Will the Cowboys invest a high draft pick on a receiver? All of these questions and more will need to be addressed this offseason.

The Cowboys receiver corps did this team no favors in 2017. Their inability to gain separation from defenders hamstrung Dallas’ offense all year and is one of the reasons this team was unable to return to the postseason. In 2018, the Cowboys must figure a way to reignite the production of this positional group.

#2 – Dak Prescott must improve his on accuracy

After posting a completion percentage of nearly 68% during his rookie season in Dallas, quarterback Dak Prescott regressed in 2017. Completing just 63.3% of his passes and more than quadrupling his interception total, Prescott played some of the worst football in his life this season. A very intelligent and prideful player, I fully expect Dak to take his preparation and training to the next level this upcoming offseason.

#3 – Ezekiel Elliott must stay out of the headlines

The absence of players like running back Ezekiel Elliott, linebacker Sean Lee and left tackle Tyron Smith at times this season proved just how valuable each of them is to this team. After serving a six-game suspension for suspected domestic violence this season, Elliott is now one mistake away from a much longer and more devastating ban. The Cowboys need Elliott, plain and simple. Staying out of trouble and off the radar should be Zeke’s number one goal in the offseason.

#4 – Find Byron Jones‘ role

I believe the Cowboys are slowing figuring out that despite Byron Jones possessing extraordinary athletic abilities, he has next to no football instinct. Therefore, making Jones the Cowboys primary playmaking safety was a mistake. Dallas needs to find the role that best utilizes the former first rounder’s abilities. Covering tight ends and larger wide outs appears to be what he does best. Maybe it’s time to limit Jones to just doing that.

Next: Dallas Cowboys - The five worst losses of the 2017 season

#5 – Improve Offensive Line depth

This season, the Cowboys got a taste of what life would be like without All-Pro left tackle Tyron Smith covering Dak Prescott’s blindside. And his backups, Chaz Green and Byron Bell, were woefully under-prepared to step into the big man’s shoes when their numbers were called. Dallas needs to find themselves a legitimate swing tackle who could be developed into an eventual starter, adding some quality depth to this exceptional unit.

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