Dallas Cowboys 2018 Positional Breakdown: QB, Special Teams
Following the Dallas Cowboys disappointing regular season in 2017, we breakdown the current roster at both the quarterback and special teams positions.
The Dallas Cowboys quarterback position was primarily about one player in 2017, Dak Prescott. But the potential rookie Cooper Rush showed in the preseason gives the team security at the position moving forward.
While consistency has normally been a staple of the special teams unit in Dallas, questions arose towards the end of the regular season. Can kicker Dan Bailey rebound after ending the year on a sour note?
Let’s start off 2018 by breaking down the Cowboys current roster and upcoming free agents in order to determine what direction this team might go in the coming months.
Quarterbacks
Roster
2018 Free Agents
Breakdown
Although 2017 was a bit of a down season for Dak Prescott in his second-year, the Cowboys were still able to finish with a 9-7 record. Throw in the fact Prescott was harassed more due to offensive line issues, the six-game suspension of running back Ezekiel Elliott and critical injures to Pro Bowlers like left tackle Tyron Smith and linebacker Sean Lee; and the fact Dak was still able to lead this team to nine wins is incredible.
Cooper Rush was near perfect in the preseason. I believe the Cowboys hope Rush will develop into a tradeable asset at some point.
This offseason, I’d love to see Dallas to bring in a veteran quarterback to help mentor Prescott and Rush.
Special Teams
Roster
Dan Bailey, K
Chris Jones, P
2018 Free Agents
L.P. Ladouceur, LS
Breakdown
Punter Chris Jones was the Cowboys’ best and most valuable special teamer in 2017. He certainly had his best season in Dallas so far, knocking the ball inside the 20-yard line a whopping 34 times. Long snapper L.P. Ladouceur is also one of the most consistent players in the league. Sign him to a lifetime contract.
Next: Dallas Cowboys: Three biggest positives from 2017
The focus of this positional group in 2018 will be Dan Bailey, who struggled with back, groin and hamstring injuries this season. Formerly the most consistent kicker in NFL history, Bailey missed four field goals through the last four games of the year. He also missed two extra points after being perfect through his first six seasons in the league.
I don’t anticipate any changes to this trio in 2018.