Where do the Dallas Cowboys rank in the top five NFC teams?
By Nathan Jones
2. The Dallas Cowboys
America’s Team is going all in. Head coach Jason Garrett is fighting for his job so no card will be left unturned. The Cowboys released former offensive coordinator, Scott Linehan and replaced him with the team’s former quarterback coach, Kellen Moore.
The only starter not returning to the roster is receiver Cole Beasley who left in free agency to the Buffalo Bills. However, they replaced Beasley with receiver Randall Cobb. Is this an upgrade? Maybe, maybe not. It all depends on how the Cowboys use him in their scheme.
The Cowboys are expected to regain the All-Pro center, Travis Frederick. Sacks haunted Dallas’ offense last season. The front office also drafted interior offensive lineman Connor McGovern in the third round. Running back Ezekiel Elliott should have a great offensive line in front of him once again.
Quarterback Dak Prescott is also fighting for a long-term contract. Having a full offseason with receiver Amari Cooper will build their chemistry– they already seemed to gel on the field last year so this could put them over the top.
Receiver Michael Gallup is entering his sophomore year and should take steps forward. Prescott and Gallup failed to connect on several big plays last season, so if they just hit half of those, the offense will be much more explosive.
The Cowboys made two really big additions via trade and the draft. They traded for defensive end Robert Quinn and drafted defensive tackle Trysten Hill. Defensive coordinator, Rod Marinelli, has frequently expressed his excitement to sharpen their technique and mold them into new members of the Hot-Boyz.
It should be an exciting year, especially considering their tough schedule. But, there is no reason to believe they will be worse than last year. So if they do not make the conference championship, the season should be a clear disappointment.