The Dallas Cowboys have strength in some areas of their roster while also having some spots that will need to be a focus as they train throughout the summer.
DALLAS — The NFL offseason has reached the time when all the major events are over, and now there’s just some glorified practices to pass the time until training camp. April’s draft and last week’s schedule announcement end the highlights of the Spring rituals from the league.
Now it’s time to check in with the Dallas Cowboys and see where the roster stands. It has been a busy offseason in Dallas, where the team made several moves after a dormant 2024 free agency period. The organization addressed most of its needs through trades, free agency, and the draft, leaving little left to clean up.
However, Stephen Jones said the Cowboys aren’t done adding pieces and used his standard line about roster construction being a “365-day process.” There could be more coming to address areas where Dallas doesn’t have as much talent.
But with how the Cowboys do business, whatever they are planning, it will take longer to get done, if at all. Expecting the team to make moves is an exercise in futility, so let’s look at the Cowboys’ strengths and weaknesses, with the assumption that this is the roster that the team will bring to Oxnard in a couple of months.
Strength: Wide receiver
This wasn’t considered a top area a few weeks ago, but the Cowboys went out and traded for George Pickens to significantly bolster the position. Pickens’ skills complement what top wideout CeeDee Lamb does best and slots every other receiver where they need to be in the pecking order.
Jalen Tolbert took a big step up in his third season, but he’s best suited as WR3, which is where he is now on the depth chart. Jonathan Mingo could surprise with a full offseason in Dallas and with Dak Prescott as his quarterback, but he hasn’t played up to his potential, so he’s ideally the fourth WR on the roster.
That leaves Jalen Brooks, Ryan Flournoy, and veteran Parris Campbell to battle it out to be the odds-on favorite to be the fifth WR of the group. There are other unproven WRs who can make their case as well, but they will be long shots to make the roster.
KaVontae Turpin is not to be forgotten as a viable WR as well; he can do many things to help the offense with his speed and play-making ability, but as the team’s primary return specialist, he shouldn’t really be labeled a WR despite the expectation that he will get touches on offense.
Even so, Turpin does need to be counted as a receiver for the roster, so he adds to a group that suddenly looks very talented.
Weakness: Running back
It’s troublesome that RB is still considered a weakness with the amount of talent that was available at the position at the draft. To only come away with Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah as Day 3 picks was a disappointment. There were opportunities for the Cowboys to double-dip and draft some better prospects, but it felt like the team settled for this rookie duo.
If the Cowboys had more impressive veteran options, missing out on the more highly ranked RBs would have been more palatable, but with only Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders on the roster, there’s a void that remains at the position. Williams had a strong beginning to his career in Denver, however, injuries have zapped some of his ability. Sanders, meanwhile, has flattened out after leaving Philadelphia.
Blue was drafted to add speed, and he does that better than any RB in the draft, but he’s not a high-volume runner. New head coach Brian Schottenheimer does have some options to pick through, but they’ll have to hope that the handpicked guys work out because this isn’t a great group on paper.
Strength: Defensive end
This was a problem area coming into the offseason and got worse when DEs DeMarcus Lawrence and Chauncey Golston left in free agency. The Cowboys were hoping to keep at least one veteran edge player but got priced out.
The Cowboys responded well, though, by signing a couple of pass rushers in Dante Fowler, who had more sacks than Lawrence and Golston combined last season, Payton Turner, and Solomon Thomas, who can play outside as well as defensive tackle.
Those veterans can pair with Marshawn Kneeland, who should make a jump in his second year, and Sam Williams, who is returning from an ACL tear after some impact plays in his first two seasons. Williams’ injury happened last July, so he should be ready to go for training camp, and Kneeland’s best work is as a run defender, which replaces Lawrence’s skills.
However, perhaps the best addition was drafting Donovan Ezeiruaku in the second round. In doing so, the Cowboys found a second pass rusher who can complement Micah Parsons and limit the snaps that Fowler might have played if the team didn’t draft a good edge rusher. Being a designated pass rusher suits Fowler best.
It was an uphill climb, but the Cowboys find themselves in good shape with the depth and skill that they’ve accumulated at DE.
Weakness: Cornerback
Cornerback is not an actual weakness when everyone is healthy, but the Cowboys have a lot of uncertainty because of injuries. With All-Pro Trevon Diggs and prized rookie corner Shavon Revel returning from serious knee injuries, the depth early in the season takes a significant hit, and both players might not be at their best until next year. Add in Josh Butler, who was making a strong impression before a serious knee injury of his own, and the defense has three CBs returning from major injuries.
The current group of CBs will be counted on for picking up the slack and there might not be enough talent. DaRon Bland is an All-Pro and the strongest of the group, but the team must hope a change of scenery helps Kaiir Elam get back to his first-round pedigree. Elam didn’t show that in Buffalo, but perhaps the Cowboys can find what made him a standout from his days as a Florida Gator.
Bland and Elam are the two starters currently, but a third CB is needed, especially after top slot corner Jourdan Lewis left for Jacksonville in free agency after eight seasons with Dallas. Second-year corner Caelen Carson will have a chance to step up, as will Andrew Booth, another highly-drafted CB who hasn’t worked out.
Beyond that, there isn’t much except for a few undrafted free agents who could push to make the roster this Summer. The entire group, when right, is as good as it gets with their top four. However, health is a major concern, and the Cowboys should perhaps look to add another quality veteran CB to play at a high level in the secondary.
Strength: Offensive line
The Cowboys weren’t expected to draft an offensive lineman with the 12th overall pick, but they found their replacement for Zack Martin in Tyler Booker. If his selection pans out, the addition of Booker stacks the interior of the offensive line in Dallas to perhaps one of the NFL’s best groups.
Tyler Smith is an All-Pro, Cooper Beebe can build on a solid rookie year and is a Pro Bowl caliber center, so Booker’s inclusion gives the Cowboys a stout group up front.
The team also has solid backups in Brock Hoffman, Robert Jones, and T.J. Bass on the inside. Hoffman played well last year with Martin out, and Jones has started 30 games, so that’s some great depth on the interior of the OL.
There’s versatility as well; Beebe can play anywhere on the inside, while Hoffman and Bass have experience at center.
It’s at the tackle positions where there are more questions, but Terence Steele is a dominant run blocker, and the offense looks like they’ll run the ball more in Schottenheimer’s scheme.
On the left side, Tyler Guyton has a lot to improve on after a tough rookie season. However, it’s important to note that Guyton didn’t play on the left side in college, and the team knew he needed some time to adjust. A big leap is expected from Guyton in year two.
There is youth with the backup tackles, as Asim Richards has shown potential, and Ajani Cornelius joins him as a rookie, along with veterans Matt Waletzko and Hakeem Adeniji, who has started 15 games in four years.
That’s a strong group on the O-line employed by the Cowboys, who could have one of the best units if Guyton makes the second-year jump.
Weakness: Defensive tackle
Not much has changed with the Cowboys in the trenches on the defensive side of the ball. They still need another option on the interior of their defensive line. The team kept Osa Odighizuwa, signed Thomas, and drafted Jay Toia, but that isn’t enough.
Thomas should play more tackle than end in Dallas to help, yet his play doesn’t suggest that he’s a high-quality run stopper at 295 pounds. Toia is the run-stuffer that the defense needs, but he’s only a seventh-round selection so it’s difficult to gauge his impact, especially in year one.
If Mazi Smith can work his way into an even better year after slight improvements from his sophomore season, the Cowboys will be in decent shape. However, Matt Eberflus is his third defensive coordinator in three years, which doesn’t help the process.
The Cowboys’ defense has four options at DT, but only Odighizuwa has played at a high level. Thomas and Smith are better suited for part-time roles, but they’ll have to play more snaps due to a lack of options. Toia helps, but he’s only a rookie. There isn’t much else on the roster. It’s a perpetual broken record, but the Cowboys still need help at DT.
Where do you think the Cowboys are strongest and weakest ahead of training camp? Share your thoughts with Ben on X (formerly Twitter) @BenGrimaldi.