How bout Dem Cowboys? KYE continues with the Dallas Cowboys coming off a disappointing 7-10 season leading to the firing of Mike McCarthy after a strong 2023 season (12-5* but destroyed by Packers in wild card round).
Dallas just promoted within with Brian Schottenheimer (former OC) and added Matt Eberflus (hi Bears fans, to DC). Klayton Adams is the Cowboys OC. Dallas went 2-7 at home and 5-3 on the road (weird). Let’s take a look at the 2025 version. Cowboys were middle of pack offense at 20.3 PPG and bad defense with injuries at 27.5 PPG.
Offense
Dak Prescott remains at QB on a big contract despite a 86 QB rating in only 8 games with 11 TDs and 8 interceptions. Brian Schottenheimer was the OC last year so it will still be a similar offense. Cowboys have been revamping their offensive line over the years with Tylers. Tyler Guyton is in his second year at Left Tackle as a first round pick. Tyler Smith is at LG as the 2022 1st round pick. Tyler Booker is a rookie 1st round pick moving to RG for the retired stud Zach Martin. Cooper Beebe enters year 2 as a 3rd round pick at center. Terrence Steele is a veteran solid right tackle. Dak should be protected.
Dak should have plenty of weapons with CeeDee Lamb (1,194 yards and 6 TDs in 15 games). Dallas traded for George Pickens to upgrade WR 2 and Jalen Tolbert is a solid 3rd WR (610 yards and 7 TDs). Jonathan Mingo, Kavontae Turbin (420 yards and 2 TDs, WR/returner), Parris Campbell and Jalen Brooks is the depth. Jake Ferguson is a solid TE but needs growth with 494 yards in 2024 in 14 games.
For the run game, Rico Dowdle (1,079 yards and 2 TDS) left in free agency and Ezekiel Elliot is gone. Javonte Williams (from Denver) and Miles Sanders (from Philly/Carolina) will be the backs for Dallas this year. Both looking to rebound to previous forms. The offensive line will be key for their success.
Cowboys will be a better offense with Dak healthy and Pickens added and another year in this system. The offensive line and run game will be the key if they can get back to a top 10 offense.
Defense
The Cowboys really struggled on defense with some injuries to Parsons and Diggs. Parsons (12 sacks in 13 games) is an absolute beast but really wants a huge contract. He will play hard and we’ll see if he gets paid and stays fully healthy. Dante Fowler was added from Washington to be the DE opposite Parsons. Osa Odighihizuwa really broke out a bit at DT in 2024. Mazi Smith is entering year 3 at nose tackle after being a first round pick. Sam Williams and Marshawn Kneeland are solid 2nd round pick backups.
At LB, Kenneth Murray was traded from the Titans (replacing Erik Kenricks) at Mike LB. Demarion Overshown had a solid year once healthy on the weakside. Jack Sanborn is the 3rd LB coming from the Bears in free agency with Eberflus and Marist Liufau (2023 3rd round pick) is the depth.
Trevon Diggs returns as CB1, Daron Bland moves to the slot and Kair Elam was added in Buffalo in a trade to try and revamp his career. Shavon Revel was an excellent 3rd round pick but is coming off a major knee injury and will miss some time and be a backup. Caelen Carson has some experience from last season now moving to backup CB. Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson are solid veteran safeties.
The Cowboys have a solid defense and could progress under Eberflus doing what he does well with mediocre talent as DC (see Indy). However, I don’t see them as a top 10 unit, most likely average with more support from the offense with longer drives.
Dallas travels to Chicago in Week 3 at 425 ET on FOX and to Detroit in Week 14 on Thursday Night Football. Dallas host Green Bay on Sunday Night Football in Week 2 and Week 15 host Minnesota on Sunday Night Football. Lots Dallas against NFC North in big slots. The Lions absolutely crushed them last year in Dallas and will look to do the same. The rest of North should be able to beat them but Dallas is under the radar improved with health and some new additions/youth. Let’s see if Schottenheimer can get them over the hump unlike Mike McCarthy and if Eberflus can get the most out of that defense. How bout dem Cowboys?