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By Calvin Watkins 2h ago
The Dallas Cowboys got a reality check when they were knocked out of the playoffs in Los Angeles. Dallas’ vulnerable interior defensive line and lack of offensive creativity were exposed by the Rams. Upgrading the talent at several key positions — safety among them — and finding a backup running back were among the team’s offseason keys. As the Cowboys get into their offseason program, they’ve accomplished some of those goals.
Offense
Quarterback: Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush and Mike White
Notes: Prescott is the starter and in line for a contract extension. Training camp will give White a chance to surpass Rush for the No. 2 job. White has the stronger arm of the two but needs to perform better in the preseason to move up.
Running back: Ezekiel Elliott, Darius Jackson, Tony Pollard, Mike Weber, Jordan Chunn and (FB) Jamize Olawale.
Notes: The Cowboys entered the draft trying to find Elliott’s backup. They came away with Pollard in the fourth round and Weber in the seventh. Weber is a traditional running back but Pollard gives the team some speed and the ability to return punts and kicks.
Wide receiver: Amari Cooper, Allen Hurns, Noah Brown, Michael Gallup, Tavon Austin, Jalen Guyton, Randall Cobb, Lance Lenoir, Cedrick Wilson, Reggie Davis, Codey McElroy and Devin Smith.
Notes: The slot receiver race will be contested. As it stands, Cobb has the lead. But Austin, Hurns and Lenoir will compete for the gig. Hurns’ contract isn’t guaranteed for 2019, so a reduction in salary is possible. Austin missed significant time with a torn groin. Austin will have competition from Pollard, a rookie, for the punt return job and from Cobb, Lenoir and Hurns for the slot receiver gig.
Tight end: Jason Witten, Blake Jarwin, Rico Gathers and Dalton Schultz
Notes: It was surprising the Cowboys didn’t draft a tight end, considering Witten’s age and the mundane 2018 seasons of Jarwin and Schultz. Gathers is on the outside looking in, a former basketball player at Baylor who hasn’t developed fast enough for the front office. Witten’s playing time is supposed to drop to 20-25 snaps a game. If Jarwin and Schultz don’t take the next step, Witten’s playing time will increase.
Offensive line: Tyron Smith, Cameron Fleming, Connor McGovern, Connor Williams, Cody Wichmann, Travis Frederick, Joe Looney, Adam Redmond, Zack Martin, Xavier Su’a-Filo, Dustin Stanton, La’el Collins, Larry Allen Jr., Mitch Hyatt and Jake Campos.
Notes: There will be a competition at left guard between a beefed-up Williams (he has gained at least 10 pounds this offseason), McGovern and Su’a-Filo. It appears the Cowboys will give Williams a shot to play right tackle, too, with the expected departure of Collins when he hits free agency in 2020. Frederick’s return from an autoimmune disease for which there’s no cure is a needed boost. Smith didn’t allow a sack last season but there’s a feeling his body is breaking down, so signing Fleming to a two-year contract in the offseason was a good decision.
Defense
Defensive line: DeMarcus Lawrence, Joe Jackson, Shakir Soto, Maliek Collins, Tyrone Crawford, Trysten Hill, Kerry Hyder, Antwaun Woods, Christian Covington, Daniel Ross, Robert Quinn, Taco Charlton, Dorance Armstrong, Jalen Jelks and Daniel Wise.
Notes: Lawrence’s availability for Week 1 against the Giants, as he recovers from shoulder surgery, will become a major storyline as the season nears. The other starting defensive end, Charlton, has underachieved in two seasons. The Cowboys drafted two ends, Jackson and Jelks. They traded for another in Quinn, signed Hyder in free agency and seek improved play from Armstrong. If they get it, the left defensive end spot could be interesting. Hill will get a shot to start over Maliek Collins in training camp. Rod Marinelli likes competition.
Linebackers: Justin March-Lillard, Chris Covington, Jaylon Smith, Leighton Vander Esch, Sean Lee and Joe Thomas.
Notes: This is a strong group. Lee is expected to get limited snaps, with Smith and Vander Esch ascending to large roles and most defensive snaps only featuring two linebackers.
Cornerbacks: Byron Jones, Jourdan Lewis, Michael Jackson, CJ Goodwin, Chidobe Awuzie, Anthony Brown, Treston Decoud, Donovan Olumba and Chris Westry.
Notes: Like Lawrence, Jones is coming off hip surgery and his status for Week 1 is in question. Jones is also seeking a contract extension, but while he’s a good cover corner, his lack of takeaways raises some concerns.
Safeties: Xavier Woods, Jeff Heath, George Iloka, Donovan Wilson, Darian Thompson, Jameill Showers, Kyle Queiro and Kavon Frazier.
Notes: The Cowboys didn’t draft a safety because of the addition of Iloka in free agency and the emergence of Woods at free safety. Many outside the organization don’t like Heath, but the Cowboys believe he makes enough plays in the box to warrant a starting job. Iloka will, however, have a chance to wrestle the starting strong safety job away from him.
Specialist
Chris Jones, Brett Maher, Kasey Redfern, LP Ladouceur and Drew Scott
Notes: The Cowboys shocked everyone when they released kicker Dan Bailey, but they were rewarded with a solid season from Maher. Jones was slightly below average last season but there are no concerns long term.