Dallas
Cowboys
2018 Record: (10-6) 1st NFC East
2018 Season Recap:
Offense
Points: 21.2 (22nd)
Yards: 343.8 (22nd)
Pass Yards: 221.1 (23rd)
Rush Yards: 122.7 (10th)
Defense
Points: 20.2 (6th)
Yards: 329.2 (7th)
Pass Yards: 234.7 (13th)
Rush Yards: 94.6 (5th)
Coming into the 2018 offseason, many questions arose
whether this edition of the Cowboys would be able to find good fortune and make
it back to the postseason after a failed campaign the year prior.
With no off-field issues coming from their star runner
(Zeke Elliott), and a load of free agent additions to supplant the loss of Dez
Bryant, this club was set to make waves with attempts to recreate a number one
receiver with Allen Hurns, Michael Gallup, Tavon Austin, and Cole Beasley. While
the offense received more media attention, the defense was quietly becoming a
force on paper that could carry this team back to the playoffs.
Through the first seven games of the season, the
Cowboys were a group that could only muster a win followed by a loss each week
until their week 8 bye. Holding a record of 3-4 entering their rest week, Owner
Jerry Jones knew if a giant push was to be had, a huge splash needed to
transpire to bring more firepower to the squad. The Cowboys orchestrated a deal
with the Oakland Raiders which saw star potential receiver (Amari Cooper) being
sent packing for a 1st round pick heading the opposite direction.
Having seen more than enough from the current group of pass catchers, it was
clear adding more talent was the priority.
Right out of the gate, Cooper made his presence known
scoring a touchdown in his first game with Dallas, though seeing the team drop
another contest leaving their postseason on life support. With eight weeks left
in the regular season, Coach Garrett bucked his pride and went back to a
formula of run first with his superstar (Zeke Elliott), which in turn opened
the pass through play action.
Now with a three-headed monster back in Big-D, Dallas
was able to generate seven victories of their final eight contests ultimately
winning the division and making it back to the playoffs.
Dallas hosted the opening round Wildcard game against
the Seahawks, who themselves began a surge late in the season. What ending up
being a tight showdown for much of the night, the Cowboys stamped their ticket
to the divisional round against the high-flying Rams.
The Cowboys started the game up to the challenge and
even found their way to leading the contest going into the second quarter.
While it looked as though the Boys might have a shot, the Rams made easy work
of Dallas from the second quarter on, never relinquishing the lead after that
point.
When all was said and done, the Cowboys managed to
prove their doubters wrong by having a second half of a season that could rival
the best in the business. With the offense looking reinvigorated, and a defense
that played superb ball the entire 2018 campaign, many positives can be seen as
great building blocks for the future.
2019
Offseason WorkBook:
The
Coaching Staff
Owner Jerry Jones is the staple of consistency when
providing endorsements for a coach that he believes in. Jason Garrett amidst
losing, still held great affinity from his owner while continuing down the path
they have set together. After seeing seven wins in their last eight and making
it to the divisional round of the playoffs, Garrett once again found himself
with job security for the upcoming season.
While many speculated that a change in other coaching
positions should transpire, Dallas took their time to assess the situation but
clearly believed moves were required. Relieving offensive coordinator (Scott
Linehan) of his responsibilities, Dallas appointed Kellen Moore to the role in
hopes to see more creativity from the group. While the same evaluation was
given to the defensive side, Rod Marinelli was retained given the sound
performance his group turned out.
With other specialty coaches finding their way on the
staff, Dallas appears to have a group with higher potential then in past
seasons. These moves clarify to us, that Jason Garrett might be on a shorter
leash then in previous years and winning will be the only elixir to keep his
job after this season.
The
Offense
While this offense saw only one aspect hit the top ten
rankings from a season ago (rushing yards), it was clear the system needed to
be revamped in order to expel the most from this group.
Starting with quarterback Dak Prescott - he has shown
signs of brilliance, but continues to be just an ordinary player in terms of
the statistics he generates. Completing his third NFL season, his numbers have
literally been on par every year and don’t jump off the paper when under
review. Its not to suggest Dak is a bad quarterback, but we are beginning to
question if his ceiling has been reached. Prescott was able to get back to his
game of controlling the ball while seeing good levels of efficiency lowering
his interception totals while lifting his completion percentage. With Dak
coming up for contract after this season, this could be the barometer telling
us what Prescott will be for the rest of his career.
There is no question that this Cowboys offense runs
through their star Zeke Elliott and should again be that way in 2019. Elliott
led the team in rushing (obviously), but also managed to be the teamed leader
in receptions with 77. Its clearly visible when Zeke isn’t used appropriately,
the Cowboys under-perform. It appeared early on that Dallas wanted to force the
issue in making this offense pass first, but then realized running the ball is
the foundation that makes this unit progress. Elliott will again be the primary
option in this new system.
The receiving core is a group that looks much better
on paper now that Amari Cooper is the lead option. Having youngster Michael
Gallup become the secondary piece will only do them both a world of good in
2019. Solidifying the slot position will provide more opportunity for this
passing attack to move forward, but the outlook appears to be fantastic heading
into the new year. This group could do a lot of damage with a more complex
system that exploits the talents of all.
With recent news that long time Cowboy (Jason Witten)
has come out of retirement to assist the tight-end position, we have an uneven
outlook on his return. Jason clearly lost a step as he chose to hang up the
cleats two seasons ago but could provide some help on short yardage and blocking
situations. Dallas should address this position in the draft this year, so
bringing Witten back won’t hurt.
The
Defense
The Cowboys defense was a group that we were quite
enamored with coming into the 2018 offseason once they drafted potential star
Leighton Vander Esch. We at ADF were big fans of his going back to his days at
Boise State, where he showed great promise. Having an immediate impact on the
field, Leighton managed to lead the team in tackles with a whopping 140, 19
more then his teammate and fellow line backer Jaylon Smith. With both these two
stars in the making leading the way in the middle of the field, the Cowboys
have found a tandem that should wreak havoc on opposing offenses for many years
to come.
While some use the term superstar far to frequent, its
a term that describes another member of this defense, and his name is DeMarcus
Lawrence. He has been the epidemy of greatness these past two seasons racking
up a healthy 25 sacks in that time. Leading this defensive line who saw a down
year in terms of overall production (39 team sacks), the loss of talent was the
biggest issue. David Irving was lost early, but Dallas managed to regain his
production from Randy Gregory with virtually the same output. Unfortunately for
the Cowboys, both Gregory and Irving will be lost to suspensions leaving this
group to retool this offseason.
The secondary for the Cowboys is a stout unit that
witnessed good production but did give up big plays far too often. On paper
this unit appears to be a bright up and comer that should only improve with
another season together, while adding more talent. Rumors have swirled
suggesting that Dallas is in the market for former Seahawks all world safety
Earl Thomas, which could round out this unit to the next level. Byron Jones and
Chidobe Awuzie are solid corners that would reap the rewards of having Thomas
back them up allowing them to take greater chances on the field. If Dallas can
manage to bring Earl to the club, this defense could be a dominating bunch
ready to bring them back to the promise land.
Team
Free Agents / Team Salary Cap
When reviewing the Cowboys roster, there are many
positives that can be had during this offseason provided Jerry Jones and his
front office staff make all the right moves.
Currently Dallas sits with a healthy 48 million
(+$48,519,916) on the books and only have a mere 15 free agents to contend
with. Obviously, the biggest name on this list is DeMarcus Lawrence and his
contract situation will pose to be an issue. Looking to generate dollars in the
range of 18+ million per season, Dallas will have to weigh their options on how
to handle the talented pass rusher. Cole Beasley is another player that could
warrant a second look over, but given the money he’s expecting, Cole has priced
himself out of Dallas for sure.
While the Cowboys salary cap situation looks to be in
rather good shape, it’s the following seasons that could cripple this bunch. With
Dak Prescott surly reaching for a new lucrative deal, Zeke Elliott will too be
looking for that monstrous payday that will undoubtedly place the Cowboys in
further cap crisis.
Finding ways to shed salary this season will do the
Boys a world of good for future seasons, hence the review on potential cut
candidates. While some of these suggestions may view as unpopular, they will be
necessary transitions to keep this team afloat. The largest issue is the amount
of funds paid to the starting four offensive linemen (Smith, Martin, Frederick,
Collins), who currently eat up an enormous 25.24% of the cap. Dallas may be
forced to enterain cutting Collins which would free up 9.9 million with only 1.4
million heading to dead money.
On top of that move, releasing often injured fan
favorite line backer Sean Lee, Dallas could generate an additional 10 million
dollars with only 3 million suffered on dead cap. Cutting bait with Allen Hurns
and his mediocre campaign could also add an additional 6.2 million to the books
while eating a meek 1.2 million in dead funds. With just those three
transactions, Dallas could add a healthy 21.9 million to their cap lifting
their total to over 70 million and being no worse for wear.
Adding to that, restructuring/extending the contract
of Amari Cooper (13.9 million), would lower his cap number and his extremely
high 6.97% of the current cap space. Cooper should be asking for a big money
contract as well but locking him up early would help Dallas be more flexible
next season.
The
NFL Draft
Admittedly, Jerry Jones and his front office have done
a great job in drafting talent these last several years after striking out for
so long.
This season the Cowboys will be without their first
overall pick (Amari Cooper trade), and only house six picks currently to their
name. Baring any other trades, Dallas will enter the 2019 draft with the 59th
overall selection in the second round.
Dallas will have opportunity to restock their roster
as they have an additional 4th rounder this year. It wouldn’t be out
of the question to see Dallas trade down in hopes to garner more draft capital
but hitting on their first four picks will be paramount for this team’s success
in 2019. Defensive line, defensive back, tight-end, and wide receiver depth
should be the way the Cowboys move with this draft class.
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