The most important goal of the Dallas Cowboys (and every other NFL team) during the offseason is to improve the roster. This may include simply not losing the main players in free agency. Almost every team thinks they’ve done it this time of year, but while some are clearly successful, others are backing down. There are a lot of good feelings about Dallas training during training camp. Yet the emphasis has been largely on individual performance. Here’s a big picture of how the team actually did by position group, based on people added and lost since last season. He also considers who was eligible for free agency, but was brought back into the fold. Some UDFA names do not appear because they do not appear to be important factors in listing decisions.
OK it’s my report card, so feel free to present your own case.
Strategist
Loss: Cooper Rush
Addition: Andy Dalton, Ben DiNucci
Key retention: Dak Prescott
We might have wanted a long-term deal for Prescott, but he’s on the franchise label so should play for a big payday. Rush is only meaningful because he left a hole for QB2, and Dalton is undoubtedly a much better player. And The Nooch was a pleasant surprise that may have a future with the team.
Conclusion: We no longer have to worry about throwing in the towel if the save is to play.
Running back / rear
Loss: Jamize Olawale
Added: Darius Anderson, Rico Dowdle, Sewo Olonilua
There will be someone added from that UDFA trio that the team has chosen. We just don’t know who, or even how much.
Conclusion: not really changed in terms of talent. This position will focus on how they are used in the offense.
Tight end
Loss: Jason Witten
Add: Blake Bell
On paper, replacing an alleged Hall of Fame player with a journeyman is a waste. But Witten was hardly the player ten or even five years ago. And the key aspect here is that Blake Jarwin, and maybe Dalton Schultz as well, can really thrive without Witten eating clichés.
Conclusion: better by addition by subtraction.
Wide receiver
Loss: Randall Cobb
Added: CeeDee Lamb
Retention: Amari Cooper
We don’t even need to mention the fallout which shows real improvement. It’s a big win for the Cowboys. This is by no means a lack of respect for Cobb, but an acknowledgment that Lamb has exceeded very high expectations for him. If the reports outside the camp are still close to accuracy, we may have an Offensive Rookie of the Year on our hands. Getting a new deal for Cooper was also a key milestone during the offseason that may have started to fade from your memory.
Conclusion: Turn on the grill and let’s prepare about 40 burgers.
Offensive line
Losses: Travis Frederick, Xavier Su’a-Filo, Cameron Fleming
Additions: Tyler Biadasz, Cameron Erving
Retention: Joe Looney, Adam Redmond
Frederick was not 100% last year. And he was still one of the best centers in the league. Biadasz can possibly be a very good replacement, but even with the capable Looney on hand, the line has taken a back seat. Redmond isn’t guaranteed a spot on the list, but is still in the mix for interior depth.
Bottom line: The Great Wall continues to erode, especially if tackles aren’t healthy in a hurry. The question is how much degraded it is, which could be a manageable amount or a real problem.
Defensive end
Losses: Robert Quinn, Kerry Hyder
Additions: Everson Griffen, Aldon Smith, Bradlee Anae
Quinn was the Cowboys bag manager. It should be a problem. But no one seems in the least concerned, and for good reason. Griffen appears to be as good or better than Quinn, Smith has just been insanely good for someone who was on an involuntary extended sabbatical from the game, and Anae has stood out a bit in practice and looks like a good bet to outdo her. draft position. This is perhaps the most improved position room in the entire team.
Conclusion: Wreak havoc, and let the bag dogs slip away.
Defensive tackle
Losses: Maliek Collins, Michael Bennett, Christian Covington, Daniel Ross
Additions: Dontari Poe, Neville Gallimore
Retention: Antwaun Woods
It would be better if Gerald McCoy hadn’t been lost due to an abnormal injury, but it’s not bad like that at all. Part of the reason is that Trysten Hill looked so much improved at camp, but it’s more about the alignment moves. And with struggling in the middle of the defensive line last season, it’s still an advantage for the team just on that. It’s especially good if Jim Tomsula uses Poe’s height correctly, and it sure looks like he will.
Conclusion: A good step in the right direction.
Linebacker
Losses: Ray-Ray Armstrong, Malcolm Smith
Addition: Francis Bernard
Retention: Sean Lee, Joe Thomas, Justin March
OK, how many of you remembered that the two losses listed here were even on the list at the end of last season? Or these three extensions of the offseason? I’m not taking it out on anyone, because I didn’t. These are the calm but still important moves where the front office really makes its money. Meanwhile, Bernard is the star of this year’s UDFA camp and appears to have a spot on the near-locked roster.
Conclusion: Yeah, the best thing for this band is this MIKE and WILL swap of responsibilities, but that’s another topic. Bernard makes it yet another small victory for the team.
Cornerback
Loss: Byron Jones (sigh)
Additions: Trevon Diggs, Daryl Worley, Savion Smith
Retention: Anthony Brown, CJ Goodwin
Again, these inconspicuous re-signatures may have escaped your recall. That’s understandable, given the extent of the blow to the team’s decision not to make a competitive offer for Jones. But Diggs, Worley and Brown all had good camps, with Diggs creating almost as much buzz as Lamb on the other side of the ball.
Bottom Line: This may end up being much closer to a wash than we might have hoped for.
security
Losses: Jeff Heath, Kavon Frazier
Additions: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Reggie Robinson II
Retention: Darian Thompson
Clinton-Dix has been a bit too calm at camp, so much so that Thompson is supposed to take the starting spot Clinton-Dix was supposed to get. And yes, Robinson was drafted as a corner, but several reporters say it is made safe, maybe because the CB room is maybe a bit crowded and they really want to have a seat for Robinson so that he can contribute to the task forces.
Conclusion: probably not worse, but there isn’t much evidence that it is better.
Specialists
Loss: Kai Forbath
Addition: Greg Zuerlein
Retention: LP Ladouceur
We thought we finally had a public training camp to start a battle in our hands, rather than the secret battle of a few years ago. Then the team gave up on Forbath before things even started and moved all-in on Zuerlein.
Conclusion: Greg the Leg is perfect at camp so far. To win.
Just to be clearer than my derisory attempts at being humorous may be, here’s a recap of how the list looks as camp begins to wind down.
Clearly improved
(Saving) quarterback, tight toe, wide receiver, defensive end, specialists
Maybe better
Defensive tackle, linebacker
No real change
Running back, safety
Probably worse
Offensive line, cornerback
Once again, the degradation of the positions of OL and CB seems less than it could have been, but we have to face the fact that things have gone badly due to retirement and free will. On the flip side, the running back was a solid piece last season, but not as effectively as we think under Mike McCarthy.
It’s a better list of Cowboys overall. And just like with RBs, coaching for all positions is a whole different thing. This can be even more important than talent upgrades.
