3 biggest strengths on the Cowboys’ 2022 roster
By Jerry Trotta
The Dallas Cowboys lost a ton of starters in the offseason. Some, of course, were their own doing, but between Amari Cooper, La’El Collins, Randy Gregory, Cedrick Wilson, Damontae Kazee, Connor Williams and Greg Zuerlein (still a starter!), the Cowboys will have several newcomers in the starting lineup in 2022.
Despite the mass exodus in trades and free agency, Dallas still owns one of the most talented rosters in the NFC and they’re rightly favored to win back-to-back NFC East crowns for the first time since they rattled off five straight from 1992-96.
Yes, it’s been that long, but let’s not dwell on the past. With so much talent to spare after losing several key players in the offseason and OTAs in full-swing, let’s try to determine the biggest strengths on the Cowboys’ current roster.
3 biggest strengths on the Cowboys’ 2022 roster
3. Running back
Just because Ezekiel Elliott has one of the worst contracts in the NFL doesn’t mean he’s not crucial to the Cowboys’ offense. Zeke was always going to lose a step given his obscene workload over his first five seasons, but it’s not his fault the coaching staff played him banged up while Tony Pollard rode the bench.
While Elliott is on the decline, there aren’t many running backs better at wearing down a defense than the three-time Pro Bowler. Can you name a RB you’d rather with the ball in his hands down near the goal line? He’s not going to break off many big runs, but that doesn’t mean he’s no longer a difference-maker.
We’re predicting a big bounce-back year for Elliott, who’ll have a full offseason to get healthy. He’ll also be playing for his future, as the Cowboys can release him next offseason while incurring a manageable dead cap charge.
The reason Zeke is playing for his future? That’d be Pollard, who jump-started the offense seemingly every time he touched the ball in 2021. The Memphis product finished eighth in the NFL with 5.5 yards per carry and nearly doubled his yards from scrimmage over his first two seasons with 1,056.
What Elliott lacks in pace and breakaway speed, Pollard more than makes up for it and he better be a focal point of the offense with Amari Cooper in Cleveland and the offensive line expected to take a step back.