Dallas Cowboys: Grading the Strength of Every Position Unit Before Camps Begin
The Dallas Cowboys surprised the football world and went 12-4 in 2014. This was due to fantastic play on offense and an overachieving defense.
Now, the Cowboys have improved their talent-deficient defense, and their offense looks poised for another incredible year. That, combined with a great coaching staff have the Cowboys ready to reach new heights.
Everybody knows the Cowboys haven't had a ton of playoff success in the last 15 years, but that could potentially change with this group of players and coaches.
The Cowboys have built a roster that not only has a ton of talent but also meshes extremely well. They have clear leadership on both sides of the ball, and injuries appear to be the only thing that could stop the Cowboys from a playoff berth.
With that in mind, let's take a look at and grade each positional unit on the Cowboys roster to see just how good the roster is as a whole.
Quarterback
1 of 9
Plain and simple, Tony Romo is one of the NFL's best quarterbacks. He is a magician in the pocket, and he escapes pressure off the edge as well as anyone else.
Romo's only question mark is always the same—his health. The Cowboys' playoff and Super Bowl hopes rest on Romo's health. If he goes down for a significant stretch of time, so does their chances of hoisting the Lombardi trophy.
The only reason the quarterback position doesn't get an "A" is because of Romo's backups. Dustin Vaughan hasn't proved anything yet in the NFL and Brandon Weeden proved that he couldn't be counted on for more than a quarter here or there.
Overall, the Cowboys are lucky enough to have one of the quarterbacks that you win because of and not just one you can win with. Romo has the ability to take over a game by himself, and because of that, the Cowboys can beat any NFL team.
Grade: A-
Running Back
2 of 9
The running back position has been written about ad nauseam this offseason and for good reason. The Cowboys have to replace one of the NFL's best running backs last year, DeMarco Murray, and they haven't spent significant resources to do so.
No matter what way you slice it, the Cowboys don't have a running back corps that strikes fear in opposing defenses. Does that mean it can't be productive and allow the Cowboys to produce at a high level? No, but the talent level has certainly dipped from last year.
Joseph Randle is the favorite to win the starting-position battle with his experience in the Cowboys offense and his prior production. Darren McFadden has a shot because of the fact that he is the most well-rounded running back on the roster. Lance Dunbar won't likely win the starting job, but you can bet that he will be on the active roster on Week 1. Ryan Williams has an outside shot to win the job because of how talented he is.
Overall, it is a great time to be a Cowboys running back because you have the NFL's best offensive line blocking for you and one of the most potent passing attacks taking the pressure off.
Grade: C
Wide Receiver
3 of 9
The Cowboys receiver corps looks poised to have another fantastic year in 2015. Dez Bryant, armed with a new contract, is one of the league's best receivers, and he should only be getting better.
Furthermore, Bryant's dominance makes things easier for all of the other weapons on the Cowboys offense. Defenses will slide their coverage over to Bryant, which will give the tight ends and other receivers favorable matchups.
Cole Beasley is the player who will undoubtedly take advantage of those opportunities. He is one of the NFL's best slot receivers and third-down threats. He is lightning-quick and almost an impossible cover in short-yardage situations.
Terrance Williams is a solid vertical threat who always seems to find his way to the end zone. He needs to work on being more consistent with his routes so that he can be targeted on a more consistent basis.
Devin Street is an interesting name to keep an eye on because his role should increase a ton from last year to this year. Street runs precise routes, complemented by great hands, which should increase Romo's confidence in him.
Overall, the Cowboys receiver corps is one of the league's best, and Romo and the rest of the Cowboys offense should reap the benefits of it.
Grade: A-
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Tight End
4 of 9
Jason Witten may not be what he once was, but he is still one of the league's best tight ends. While players get caught up in receptions, yards and touchdowns, they sometimes forget their other responsibilities.
Witten is not only a great receiver, who is always a threat to move the chains, but he is also one of the best blocking tight ends. Witten was one of the biggest reasons why the Cowboys had so much success in the running game last year, and he will be a big reason why they'll do it again this year.
Behind Witten, the Cowboys have a great deal of tight end depth. Gavin Escobar has showed amazing-play spurts, and James Hanna is one of the Cowboys' most underrated players on its roster.
Geoff Swaim is another name to keep an eye on as he could push Escobar or Hanna for the roster's last tight end spot, or he could play well enough to force the Cowboys to keep a fourth tight end.
The Cowboys have a couple of spots where they should worry, but tight end certainly isn't one of them.
Grade: A-
Offensive Line
5 of 9
The Cowboys' offensive line is young, talented and the league's best unit. Last year, it was comprised of excellent run blockers and good pass protectors. This year, look for the unit to improve in pass protection as the players hone their craft.
People tend to forget that Zack Martin, Tyron Smith and Travis Frederick are all 24 years old or younger. They still have a lot of growing room, despite being among the NFL's best at their position.
Couple that with Doug Free, who is a veteran presence and very good right tackle and either La'el Collins or Ronald Leary and you get an offensive line that hasn't hit its ceiling yet.
If Smith, Martin and Frederick improve at the rate that they've shown since entering the NFL and Collins is the player everyone thought he was before the NFL draft, the Cowboys should improve a lot up front, which should be scary for opposing defenses.
This offensive line's biggest question mark is whether Collins or Leary will win the left guard spot in training camp. Collins is more talented and should be the favorite, but Leary has the experience and continuity with the other offensive linemen that can't be discounted.
Couple that with great solid reserves such as Mackenzy Bernadeau and Darrion Weems and you have the NFL's best offensive line from top to bottom.
Grade: A+
Defensive Line
6 of 9
Last year, Dallas' defensive line was the roster's weakest unit. Fast-forward a year and the defensive line is not only improved, but it also can't be considered a weakness anymore.
The Greg Hardy and Randy Gregory additions should be drastic upgrades over Anthony Spencer and George Selvie from last year.
Hardy is one of the league's best defensive ends. He can be dominant against the run and pass; plus, he has the versatility to slide down to defensive tackle and disrupt from the interior defensive line as well.
Gregory is an athletic defensive end who has a ton of potential. His quickness and bend to win the edge are his main weapons, but he also plays with quite a bit of strength despite his slender frame.
DeMarcus Lawrence is another player who should help improve the defensive line. He showed some flashes at the end of last year, and he should only build upon that this year. He is a violent pass-rusher who excels with his tenacious hand usage.
Jeremy Mincey may be the defensive line's leader. Last year he showed last year he could make a big impact. Mincey will likely get moved around a lot this year as the Cowboys try to create favorable matchups.
At defensive tackle, Tyrone Crawford should show that last year was no fluke and that he is one of the game's best young defensive tackles.
The defensive line's biggest question mark is at the nose tackle position. Terrell McClain is the favorite to win the job. He should be able to hold his own up the middle of the defense.
Overall, the Cowboys have to be happy with what they have done to improve the defensive line, and they should reap the benefits of it this year.
Grade: B
Linebacker
7 of 9
Linebacker was another position the Cowboys improved this offseason. The Cowboys were plagued by how thin the linebacker corps was last year, which led to players such as Cameron Lawrence getting playing time down the stretch.
This year, the Cowboys shouldn't have that problem as they acquired players such as Andrew Gachkar, Jasper Brinkley and Damien Wilson to improve the unit's depth.
Furthermore, with Sean Lee healthy and ready to return to action, the Cowboys should see improved play over last year. When healthy, he is one of the NFL's best linebackers, and he should be able to produce at a high level at the "Will" linebacker position.
At the "Mike" linebacker position, Rolando McClain should be the starter once he returns from his four-game suspension. McClain proved that he is a valuable asset on the Cowboys defense; he seemed to always make big plays when it matter. In his absence, expect Brinkley to take over the Mike linebacker spot.
Anthony Hitchens was one of the big surprises on the Cowboys defense last year as he was productive despite being a little-known rookie. He will likely start at the "Sam" linebacker position, and he should be able to do a solid job setting the edge for the Cowboys.
Grade: B+
Secondary
8 of 9
One of the more intriguing storylines of this season will be how well the secondary plays. It should have an easier job with an improved pass rush and linebacker play, but it is still yet to be seen if that will lead to improved play.
Orlando Scandrick proved to be much more than a slot cornerback last year as he was one of the NFL's better all-around cornerbacks.
Brandon Carr is what he is—a solid cornerback who is better in man coverage, but he will have his bad days throughout the season.
Morris Claiborne is a huge question mark, as no one knows how he will bounce back from a gruesome knee injury. Even when healthy, Claiborne hadn't been a very good cornerback; therefore, it is hard to expect much from him this year.
Tyler Patmon and Corey White are players whom fans should keep an eye on this preseason because both may make a bigger than expected impact on the defense.
J.J. Wilcox and Barry Church are both solid safeties whom the Cowboys can win with. Church is a cerebral player who plays with good fundamentals, while Wilcox is a reckless player who can make the play to win or lose the game for the team.
Byron Jones is the secondary's X-factor this year because of how talented and versatile he is. He can excel at cornerback or safety, and you can bet the Cowboys will find a way to get him a lot of playing time.
Overall, the Cowboys secondary is the defense's biggest question mark, and its success will dictate how successful the defense is as a whole this season.
Grade: C+
Special Teams
9 of 9
The Cowboys' special teams look to be in good shape heading into the 2015 season.
Dan Bailey is one of the NFL's best kickers. Chris Jones is a solid punter who does a fantastic job as Jones' holder on field goals, and L.P. Ladouceur may be the NFL's best long snapper.
The Cowboys only special teams question mark is who will be returning punts and kicks in 2015. The likely choice will be whoever wins the No. 5 wide receiver spot, as Lucky Whitehead and Antwan Goodley are especially dangerous as returners.
The Cowboys' special teams have been a sore spot in the past, but those days seem long gone, as the Cowboys have put together a solid unit.
Grade: B
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