Dallas Cowboys: 3 early roster questions that now have answers

Here are answers to questions we had early about the Dallas Cowboys roster

As questions continue to linger about the upcoming NFL season, we took a step back and looked at some of the questions we had about the Dallas Cowboys early on this offseason. Specifically, about the roster.

While there remain several unknowns, even surrounding the immediate future of some key positions and roles in Dallas, which burning questions did we get a definitive answer to this offseason? Here are our top three …

Do the Dallas Cowboys really trust Cooper Rush as the primary backup?

Despite serving as a primary backup for the Cowboys for three seasons, Dallas opted to part ways with quarterback Cooper Rush this offseason. And his lack of experience was something we questioned early on, having thrown a total of three regular-season passes in his short career.

When Dallas had the opportunity to add former Cincinnati Bengals starter Andy Dalton in early May, a three-time Pro Bowl quarterback with 133 starts under his belt, they leaped at it. The Cowboys also immediately waived Rush to make room for him.

Will the Cowboys ever invest in the defensive tackle position?

For years, fans of the Cowboys have been begging the team to invest heavily in the defensive tackle position. That cry continued despite the team using a second-round selection on UCF’s Trysten Hill in 2019.

But the true answer came with a shift in the Cowboys’ defensive coaching staff. With defensive coordinator Mike Nolan and defensive line coach Jim Tomsula now in charge, Dallas added two significant free agents to the interior of their defensive line. Those former Pro Bowlers being Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe. For the first time in a long time, questions about the defensive tackle position in Dallas have quieted to less than whisper level.

Who will be the odd free agents out in Dallas?

Likely the biggest roster question concerning the Cowboys heading into the offseason was concerning their numerous pending free agents. With big names like quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver Amari Cooper potential heading towards the open market, America’s Team simply couldn’t afford to sign them all.

And Dallas lost some key players this offseason as a result. In the end, former starters like cornerback Byron Jones, defensive end Robert Quinn, tight end Jason Witten, safety Jeff Heath, and defensive tackle Maliek Collins were all lost.

Despite those subtractions, the Dallas Cowboys were able to emerge the bulk of the offseason with one of the most talented rosters in the NFL. That’s a credit to the Cowboys’ free agency additions and excellent draft class.