Heading into the 2024 season, the Dallas Cowboys had many question marks regarding their roster. That was enhanced by injuries striking the team early. While it's tough to suffer through the pain of a lost season, it should be considered a wind-up to build for next season.
The concerns with this team are eerily similar to those of the 2020 season when quarterback Dak Prescott broke his ankle on what looked like just another tackle. Now, the quarterback is out with a brutal hamstring injury, and the world is falling apart in Dallas.
The Cowboys will be better in 2025 for this season's struggles
Besides the significant injury, both teams fielded a defense that struggled severely with injuries and underperforming players. That thrust the likes of Trevon Diggs, Donovan Wilson, Terrence Steele, and Tyler Biadasz into action for the first time with prominent roles. All four would go on to have a significant impact on the team moving forward.
After falling to a 6-10 record in 2020, the Cowboys rebounded to 12-5 in 2021. That's with a stark improvement in their star players who were finally healthy, and depth who got extra opportunities to play and learn the season prior.
This year, we are seeing some depth players getting more opportunities due to the countless injuries, and they may be the ones to help lead the way next season. An injury-plagued defense threw the likes of Chauncey Golston, Josh Butler, and Mazi Smith into position for more opportunities and growth.
Butler, the 28-year-old rookie, played fantastic in his NFL debut, locking down the Washington Commanders receivers opposite Terry McLaurin. He played a significant role in the Cowboys' upset against their NFC East rivals. Unfortunately, a torn ACL will force him to miss the remainder of the 2024 season, but he earned opportunities next year.
Golston has bounced between playing inside and outside on the defensive line but was finally able to garner more stable snaps on the outside this year. Dallas was down four edge rushers at one point, making Gholston their top option. Thankfully, he delivered solid results.
Smith was disappointing in his rookie season, but with an increasing need for improved play, he has stepped up. The interior lineman isn't a threat rushing the quarterback but has played the run well. As a young player at a position that takes a while to settle in, things are trending up for the Michigan product.
Other noteworthy players are offensive linemen T.J. Bass and Brock Hoffman and wideout Jalen Tolbert. Bass started two games, looking good in both, and Tolbert has played decent as the team's WR2. While more was expected at this point in his career, it is another step in the right direction. Hoffman earned a whopping 76.8 PFF grade in Week 13.
Some players who made the most of their opportunities will get a chance to take over as a starter next season for players on expiring contracts. Bass or Hoffman can step into the spot of an aging Zack Martin and Tolbert can overtake Brandin Cooks. Smith, the current DT2, may step into the top spot with the possible departure of Osa Odighizuwa.
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Others may have earned a bridge contract to remain with the team and take a more prominent role. Gholston and Butler come to mind. With an estimated $23 million in cap space before rollover and other moves, there's more than enough money to go around.
The hope is that this season's struggles will result in significantly improved play next year. The floor should be higher, with an increase in experience for depth players, but the top remains optimistic considering the stability of their star players' performance and rising stars.
With a healthy roster, the Dallas Cowboys can make the playoffs once again. Just as the team had an amazing season in 2021 following a horrific 2020 season, there is hope for an improved year in 2025. For now, let's try to find little wins in all the defeats ahead of us for 2024.