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After what was a horror 2020 season in which they missed the playoffs, the Cowboys will be looking to improve with Dak Prescott under centre.
With the NFL draft now done and dusted, we all know roughly how every team is shaping up heading into the preseason.
Cowboys draft analysis
For the Dallas Cowboys, the 11 selections in the draft, eight of which were defensive players, suggest that Jerry and Stephen Jones know where the team’s weaknesses are. Last season even when Prescott was healthy, they could put up points at will however on the other side of the ball the defense couldn’t stop a nosebleed.
Defence a priority in the draft
Their first-round pick was Micah Parsons. Parsons, an LB out of Penn State, was named by many as the best defensive player in the draft. What the move suggests is that Patrick Surtain II was the Cowboys first choice and then the second was Jaycee Horn, both of whom were taken before Dallas was on the clock at pick 10.
With news circulating that Dallas will not pick up the fifth-year option on Leighton Vander Esch, the addition of Parsons helps add something to the linebacking core. Both Jaylon Smith and Vander Esch were not able to stay healthy for long enough over the last couple of seasons so Parsons could get some decent game time. Add to that the retirement of Sean Lee and Parsons could play a pivotal role in 2021.
Dallas has to get better defensively, don’t they? Well, they couldn’t get any worse than the 2020 version. New co-ordinator Dan Quinn will have his work cut out to get the defense playing better.
The defense still most likely will not be in the top 10, but improvements must be made. With draft picks in LB Parsons, CB Kelvin Joseph, DT Osa Odighizuwa, DE Chauncey Golston, CB Nahshon Wright all taken in the first three rounds, there is a younger feel to the Dallas defense. With veteran Antwaun Woods being released, DT Odighizuwa has all the ability and background to come in straight away and become a vital cog along the defensive line.
Add to that young corner Trevon Diggs, who showed signs last season that he can be a quality player in the league, and hopefully Randy Gregory can continue his improvement while DeMarcus Lawrence should be better than what he was last season. The defense won’t be world-beaters, but they should be better than previous years.
Cowboys offensively
Now let’s talk about the offense. Dak Prescott is back in the saddle, the offensive line at this stage is healthy because let’s face it, last year they were just gutted. Travis Frederick retired in the off-season, La’el Collins missed the entire year with a hip injury, LT Tyron Smith was in and out of the team before succumbing to a neck injury, and then there was guard Zack Martin who missed the second half of the year with a calf injury.
Tight-end Blake Jarwin who showed that he can be a real weapon in the passing game, along with CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup, Amari Cooper, Dalton Schultz, and Zeke Elliott and you have the ingredients for a successful football team.
With the defensive side of the ball seemingly being a focus during the draft, Prescott back under centre, and new co-ordinator Dan Quinn coming in, one thing is for sure, the Cowboys should be better. Dallas still has huge question marks defensively as we know what they can do on offense.
For me, they are the best team in the division, but only just with the Giants and Washington Football Team both improving. The Eagles are an unknown with Jalen Hurts although they did acquire Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith so Hurts has a major weapon to throw to.
With an offense that can put up points when they feel like it and a defense that is Jekyll and Hyde at the best of times. Who knows what the Cowboys will look like in 2021.
One thing is for certain though, they have to be better than last season, don’t they?
