Big Hopes for Big D

I am not a Cowboys fan. Never have been, never will be. But here’s the thing, the Cowboys will be better especially with key players coming back from injuries. With some new additions on defense through the draft and some subtle free agency moves, things are looking up for Dallas.

Returning to the offense

As much as people hate the Cowboys, nobody wants anyone to get hurt and Dak Prescott’s injury was very unfortunate. Dak made that offense go. Now that he’s back that offense will fly high again. Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup on the outside and CeeDee Lamb in the slot could be the best receiver trio in the league. Dalton Schultz did great when Blake Jarwin got hurt. He has the inside track to start week one barring any set backs.

The Line

From left to right on the line, Tyron Smith is back and will hold down the fort on the blindside. Left guard Connor Williams and center Tyler Biadasz at center will provide youth and stability for years to come as long as they stay healthy. Right guard Zach Martin and right tackle La’el Collins are also back from injury. This will keep Prescott upright and open running lanes for the backs. Dallas drafted tackle Josh Ball from Marshall in round four, receiver Semi Fehoko from Stanford in round five, and guard Matt Farniok from Nebraska in round seven to bolster offensive depth.

Ramp up the defense

A defensive centric approach in the draft is what we all expected. Dallas drafted linebacker Micah Parsons from Penn State in round one and Jabrill Cox from LSU in round four. They will join Leighton Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith. Cox won a championship with North Dakota State.

Keanu Neal came over from Atlanta to rejoin new DC Dan Quinn. He will transition from strong safety to weak side linebacker. Damonte Kazee also comes over from Atlanta is projected to be the starting free safety. Donovan Wilson will serve as the strong safety.

Rookie corners will also try to factor into the rotation. The team added Kelvin Joseph from Kentucky in round two, Nashon Wright from Oregon State in round three, and Israel Mukuamu in round six . This will create competition for Trevon Diggs and Anthony Brown. One post draft report had Mukuamu listed as a safety, so there may be a transition occurring.

In what will probably be a 4-3 front, second year defensive tackle Neville Gallimore and third year DT Trysten Hill will try to clog the gaps and offer a stout run defense. On the flip side, DeMarcus Lawrence at the left end and Randy Gregory on the right are on the older side but still have some gas in the tank.

If they start slowing down, third round rookie Chauencey Golston from Iowa could step in. Golston and rookie DT’s Osa Odighizuwa and Quinton Bohanna could be rotational/sub package options to start their careers. Odighizuwa and Bohanna came in the third and sixth round respectively and came from UCLA and Kentucky respectively.

If Dan Quinn is running the same scheme that he ran with Seattle and Atlanta, be ready for a heavy dose of zone coverage, two safeties deep, and the front seven holding a lot of responsibilities to get to the QB and disrupt the offense. Dallas has the ability make a splash this season and make a real playoff push.

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