3 biggest areas of weakness on the Cowboys’ 2022 roster
By Mike Luciano
Despite all three of their division running mates making some significant improvements throughout the 2021-22 season, the Dallas Cowboys are still the favorites to take home the NFC East crown. When you have Dak Prescott commanding the offense and a totally revamped defense, it’s easy to see why.
Jerry Jones is dreaming of a season in which Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott lead the offense while Defensive Rookie of the Year Micah Parsons keeps the defense in check. While Dallas has star power covered, the roster might not be as deep as it was over the last few years.
With the Prescott and Elliott contracts weighing heavily on the team’s financial future, the Cowboys have had to part ways with some of their more established veterans and replace them with rookies on cheaper deals. To that effect, Dallas’ roster is nowhere near as deep or reliable in 2022.
These three weaknesses are almost guaranteed to come back and bite Dallas in the butt at some point in the season. If not adequately addressed at some point, they could contribute to the Cowboys coming unglued later in the season against playoff teams.
3 most significant weaknesses on the Dallas Cowboys roster
3. Wide Receiver
CeeDee Lamb is exempt from this discussion, as he is one of the best young receivers in the game. Instead, the ire from this analysis is directed at Dallas’ collection of depth speedsters. A regression could be coming with Amari Cooper in Cleveland and Cedrick Wilson in Miami.
When healthy, Michael Gallup is a fantastic receiver, but his injury concerns are noteworthy. James Washington is the most milquetoast, average receiver the league has ever created. The Abeline-born Oklahoma State alum has just one season in which he recorded more than 400 yards receiving. That’s Dak’s No. 3 target?
The Dallas Cowboys don’t have excellent WR depth.
Noah Brown is still hanging around, but his value lies on special teams rather than on offense. 2021 fifth-rounder Simi Fehoko likely isn’t going to wiggle his way into a role with a ton of snaps in Year 2. Third-rounder Jalen Tolbert is exceptionally talented, but he could struggle to make the jump from the Sun Belt to the NFL.
This flaw could be papered over if Lamb turns into a star that shoulders the brunt of the load, but that won’t completely negate the fact that Dallas has an alarming lack of depth here when compared to other elite teams. Gallup’s health could be the X-factor in determining the floor and ceiling.