It's hard to complain about an offense that is currently first in points per drive and third-down conversion rate, as well as third in EPA per play. However, Dak Prescott is doing most of the heavy lifting, as the run game has been a complete non-factor through two games.
The Cowboys are currently 30th in rushing yards per game (67.5) and 26th in yards per carry (3.5). Not having Tyler Smith has loomed large, but he shouldn't be the difference between Dallas having a competent rushing attack and one of the worst in football.
While Javonte Williams has been as advertised, it's become clear how much Malik Davis actually means to the rushing attack.
Emari Demercado has just five carries in two games, which is nowhere near enough work to establish a rhythm. His limited involvement suggests the coaching staff doesn't fully trust him with a larger role.
That wouldn't be the case with Davis.
Cowboys might be missing Malik Davis more than they thought
To be clear, a healthy Davis wouldn't solve everything. But it's not crazy to think his precision and burst would give the ground game a shot in the arm.
The offensive line deserves most of the blame for the struggles. The run blocking has been a complete dud. But having a more explosive back to design touches for could help.
Demercado checks that box, but he was claimed off waivers just two weeks before the season. Odds are his role will grow as the year progresses, but after two games, it's clear the coaching staff isn't ready to fully trust him.
Instead of calling a screen for Williams, which Dallas did to no avail against Washington, they could call it for Davis, who's much more comfortable in open space. Williams is programmed to seek out contact, and his lack of wiggle limits what he can create on catches behind or near the line of scrimmage.
The significance of Davis' injury may have been underestimated. The 27-year-old suffered a non-contact hip injury in the final practice before Week 1. He has since undergone surgery and will miss the rest of the season.
Davis won the RB2 job this summer and seemed primed for an increased role in the offense. Not only because he deserved it, but because the Cowboys appeared intent on lightening Williams' workload after everything he handled last season.
Emari Demercado was a good pickup, but he's learning on the fly
The Cowboys did well to pluck Demercado off waivers. He offers a similar skill set to Davis, but it's asking a lot of any running back to carve out an immediate role after joining a new offense less than two weeks before the season.
Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah had an entire offseason to earn the coaching staff's trust and couldn't do it.
Demercado is essentially learning on the fly while Dallas is playing games that count. It's encouraging that he's already worked his way into the rotation, but five carries through two games show there's still ways to go before Dallas is comfortable designing a chunk of the offense around him.
Would having Davis transform one of the NFL's least productive rushing attacks? Probably not. But having a trusted RB2 with a different skill set would have given Schottenheimer and Adams another lever to pull.
Instead of pulling Demercado after one carry, Schotty and Adams could give Davis an entire drive to see if his speed and burst could get something going. If he found a rhythm, they could ride the hot hand and give Williams a breather in the process.
That's the luxury Dallas lost when Davis went down.
It's not about replacing Williams or pretending Davis is some sort of game-changer. It's about having another back the coaching staff trusts enough to give meaningful opportunities to when the ground game needs a jolt.
That's missing right now.
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