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Dallas Cowboys: Ranking NFC East offenses by position

By Brad Austin

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 31: Running back Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys takes a knee before playing against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 31, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 31: Running back Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys takes a knee before playing against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 31, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Several new players have joined the 2018 Dallas Cowboys offense. Where do their position groups now rank among the NFC East?

The Dallas Cowboys offense will feature several new faces next season. A retooled offensive line and new receiving targets are sure to provide unique dynamics.

As a matter of fact the NFC East will showcase multiple balanced and explosive offenses the likes fans haven’t seen from the division in a while.

Philadelphia unveiled a potent, balanced offense during the 2017 title run and should duplicate their success. Key new additions in Dallas and New York will boost their two-pronged attacks. Even Washington drafted a more dynamic rookie rusher.

With plenty of new wrinkles, let’s take a deeper dive into the updated position rankings of NFC East offenses.

QUARTERBACK

  1. Philadelphia (Carson Wentz, Nick Foles)
  2. Washington (Alex Smith, Colt McCoy)
  3. Dallas (Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush)
  4. New York (Eli Manning, Davis Webb)

Analysis: Wentz is now the class of the division. New arrival Smith is very formidable, yet won’t have as complete of a supporting cast. Prescott is poised for a rebound season, though new blood around him is promising yet uncertain. Manning will pile up yards but continue to make crucial mistakes in the twilight of his career.

RUNNING BACK

  1. Dallas (Ezekiel Elliott, Rod Smith, Tavon Austin)
  2. New York (Saquon Barkley, Jonathan Stewart, Wayne Gallman)
  3. Philadelphia (Jay Ajayi, Corey Clement, Darren Sproles)
  4. Washington (Derrius Guice, Chris Thompson, Rob Kelley)

Analysis: The Dallas offense lives through Elliott as the best back in the league. Austin will add a new wrinkle as a Dunbar type receiving option. Barkley and Guice are new rookie starters, with the former having all-pro potential. Philadelphia lost LeGarrette Blount and some rushing potency, but regains Sproles’ receiving skills from injury.

OFFENSIVE LINE

  1. Dallas (new starter: LG Connor Williams)
  2. Philadelphia (key players: LT Jason Peters, C Jason Kelce, RT Lane Johnson)
  3. New York (new starter: LG Will Hernandez)
  4. Washington (key players: LT Trent Williams, RG Brandon Scherff)

Analysis: Williams lifts the Cowboys front back to an elite level. Sound depth may form the best unit in several years. The Eagles return all five starters of a nasty group, including All-pro tackle Peters back from injury. Hernandez will boost the Giants line to formidable status. Washington has talent but remains vulnerable in spots.

WIDE RECEIVER / TIGHT END

  1. Philadelphia (new additions: WR Mike Wallace, TE Dallas Goedert)
  2. New York (key players: WR Odell Beckham, WR Sterling Shepard, TE Evan Engram)
  3. Washington (key players: WR Jamison Crowder, WR Josh Doctson, TE Jordan Reed)
  4. Dallas (new additions: WR Allen Hurns, WR Michael Gallup, TE Dalton Schultz)

Next: Dallas Cowboys: 15 best first-round picks of all-time

Analysis: Wallace brings deep speed and Goedert adds a second talented receiving TE to an already potent Eagles passing offense. Beckham’s return plus an enhanced running game should increase receiving yards for the Giants. Washington returns much of the same but can inflict aerial damage. Dallas has plenty of talent, yet the fit of new pieces is still too uncertain to rate above more cohesive units.

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