Dallas Cowboys: It’s time to start using 10 personnel

So what can the 10 personnel bring to the Cowboys offense?

This personnel grouping allows you to spread the field and give your offense a multitude of options on any given play. Defenses usually play this grouping with six defensive backs, one linebacker, and four down lineman. This spreads the defense out across the field and leaves your offensive line one on one with the defenders in the box.

From a running standpoint. the defense is one on one with the offensive line in the box. The defensive backs are typically lined up too far from the line of scrimmage to make a play until the back is five to six yards up-field. With the superior talent of the offensive line, Dallas will always have the advantage of running the ball against a five-man box.

Throw in Dak’s ability to run as well and you’re able to use the strength of your team in a personnel grouping that teams usually pass out of. Teams with strong lines and good backs can run out of this package successfully because of the numbers mismatch that occurs. This is something the Cowboys are built for, and it creates diversity in a personnel grouping that usually says ‘pass’.

In the passing game, the Cowboys can move around a versatile and route proficient receiver group in ways that create mismatches. With the players the team brought in all having the ability to be in the right place at the right time as well as run after the catch, the team can give quarterback Dak Prescott multiple options on every play. Seldom do teams have four cover guys who can all hold up consistently in one on one coverage.

With the Cowboys also bringing in playmaker Tavon Austin, and with Ezekiel Elliott‘s receiving ability, the team has explosive receiving threats out of the backfield. Elliott’s blocking ability also gives the team an upper hand if the defense decides to send a cornerback blitz. And with the athleticism and size that guys like Blake Jarwin and Rico Gathers present at tight end, we could see one of them (please be Rico) playing a key role in this formation as a downfield mismatch.

In a study of how effective certain personnel grouping was in the NFL from the 2016-2016 season, the findings were eye-opening.

10 personnel was the most effective package studied. 85% of the time a play from this personnel grouping resulted in a positive play, and 21% of the time in a play that gained over 10 yards on the ground or 17 yards through the air. 

The Cowboys sorely need this explosiveness and diversity in their game plan.

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There was talk about implementing this grouping more in 2017, especially with the drafting of former receiver Ryan Switzer in the fourth round. But it seems as though the presence of Witten and Dez had a much stronger hold on what the team could and couldn’t do personnel-wise. Even though there isn’t much reason to be hopeful, let’s hope Linehan learns from last year and adds different things to the scheme.

10 personnel has the potential to be a huge weapon for this team; if the team allows it to happen.