Ranking the Cowboys' position groups from worst to best in 2023

8. Specialists

• K Brandon Aubrey
• P Bryan Anger
• LS Trent Sieg
• RS KaVontae Turpin

There are some question marks on special teams for the Dallas Cowboys in 2023, but let's start with the obvious: The Cowboys have one of the best return men in the game in KaVontae Turpin. That's a tremendous advantage when you talk about the "hidden yardage" that can make a massive difference in a game on special teams.

Kicker Brandon Aubrey is taking over for Brett Maher, who had a great year in 2022 overall before the playoffs debacle. He's a question mark, but the Cowboys have a steady punter in Bryan Anger to give them overall a very solid special teams unit, and arguably top 10 guys at punter and returner.

7. Defensive Line

• Osa Odighizuwa
• Mazi Smith
• Johnathan Hankins
• Neville Gallimore
• Chauncey Gholston

The defensive line was obviously an area of emphasis for the Cowboys in the 2023 offseason as they used their first-round pick on Michigan's freaky athletic Mazi Smith. Smith is coming in as a rookie with the expectation that he will be able to help a run defense that struggled last year, but he can also collapse the pocket and make plays as a pass rusher. But racking up sacks will not likely be his claim to fame. If he can upgrade Dallas's run defense, Dan Quinn will be thrilled.

Osa Odighizuwa finished fourth on the Cowboys last year with 11 QB hits. He's grown into his own as a playmaker on the defensive line. I think the progression of Odighizuwa and the arrival of Mazi Smith at the top end give me hope that this defensive line can be a much stronger unit for Dallas in 2023.