It’s never boring when it comes to the Dallas Cowboys. Coming off a 13-3 showing and an Nfc East title, it’s been a tumultuous offseason. Defensive linemen such as Randy Gregory (season) and David Irving (first 4 games) will be serving suspensions. And sensational 2016 rookie Ezekiel Elliott has had some off-the-field issues that are currently under investigation. So what can we expect from Jason Garrett’s club when the team opens Training Camp in a few days?
Major additions this offseason
In the case of the defending division champions, it’s been more the case of who’s no longer with the club than who the Dallas Cowboys actually added.
This is particularly true when it comes to the defensive unit, where linemen Terrell McClain (Washington Redskins) and Jack Crawford (Atlanta Falcons), cornerback Brandon Carr (Baltimore Ravens) and Morris Claiborne (New York Jets) and safeties J.J. Wilcox (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and Barry Church (Jacksonville Jaguars) moved on via free agency. Some may argue that this was a case of addition by subtraction considering the team’s issues on this side of the ball. Still, that’s a lot of talent to lose in one offseason.
The Dallas Cowboys selected nine players in this year’s draft and all but wide receivers Ryan Switzer (4-North Carolina) and Noah Brown (7b-Ohio State) were on defense. First-round pick/defensive end Taco Charlton (Michigan) should aid the pass rush.
The Dallas brain-trust then used four of their next five picks to rebuild the secondary, taking cornerbacks Chidobe Awuzie (2-Colorado), Jourdan Lewis (3-Michigan) and Marquez White (6b-Florida State), as well as safety Xavier Woods (6-Lousiana Tech). Key veteran additions include defensive tackle Stephen Paea (Cleveland Browns), cornerback Nolan Carroll (Philadelphia Eagles) and safety Robert Blanton (Buffalo Bills).
What to look for
Despite being the NFC’s top seed in last year’s playoffs, the Dallas Cowboys failed to get back to the Super Bowl. It’s a place that the franchise hasn’t seen since 1995. And the sting of last season’s 34-31 home playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers can’t be easily dismissed. Still, there’s a lot of talent here led by Elliott and 2016 NFL Rookie of the Year Dak Prescott.
This summer, look for the team to open up the playbook a bit more. The offensive line has a hole to fill at right tackle with the offseason retirement of Doug Free. And defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli has a lot of work ahead of him with all of the newcomers. For a team coming off a 13-win season, the Cowboys have their share of question marks.
