Cowboys' Biggest Weaknesses Ahead of 2024 NFL Training Camp
With organized team activities (OTAs) and minicamps complete, the NFL offseason has reached its dead period. That doesn't mean, however, that teams like the Dallas Cowboys will be idle between now and training camp.
Players will get a little time to refresh and prepare for the summer grind, but coaches and executives have plenty of work ahead. At the top of the to-do list is addressing any needs that have become apparent through free agency, the draft and offseason workouts.
Dallas, which won 12 games last season, might not seem like a team with many glaring holes. After losing several key players and doing little in free agency, however, there are weaknesses.
If the Cowboys cannot find answers on their roster, they may have to dip back into the free-agent market—though with only $10.2 million in cap space available, their options will be limited. Regardless of how it's done, though, the following weaknesses must be addressed.
Running Back
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This is the obvious one. Dallas' running game wasn't great in 2023—it ranked 20th in yards per carry—and the Cowboys didn't take a big swing at the running back position in free agency or the draft.
With Tony Pollard departing for the Tennessee Titans in March, the Cowboys were left with a massive hole at an already underwhelming position. To fill it, they re-signed Rico Dowdle, added Royce Freeman and brought back Ezekiel Elliott.
Yes, the same Elliott who averaged a mere 3.5 yards per carry with the New England Patriots last season.
It's not an inspiring group—Deuce Vaughn hasn't done much as a pro to elevate it—even if the Cowboys believe they can make a group approach work.
"We're running back by committee," head coach Mike McCarthy said, per Michael Baca of NFL.com.
It's hard to imagine the Cowboys finding a quality lead back from their group, and the remaining free-agent pool—headlined by Kareem Hunt, Dalvin Cook and Jerick McKinnon—isn't overly enticing. Therefore, there's a very good chance that Dallas will another running back after roster cuts or via the trade market.
Offensive Line
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If the Cowboys cannot field a balanced offense, it could be a problem because the offensive line is in flux.
Dallas lost starting left tackle Tyron Smith and starting center Tyler Biadasz in free agency. They drafted Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe, respectively, to replace them.
Many fans may be thinking that the selections of Guyton and Beebe will solidify the line, and that it will once again be a team strength. That's certainly the optimist's view—and, apparently, Dallas' only plan—but it could be a lengthy process.
Guyton is an inexperienced one-year starter who didn't play left tackle in college. Beebe, meanwhile, made starts at every position except for center. Both players face learning curves, and steep ones.
Banking on rookies—especially those making position switches—to protect Dak Prescott wasn't the soundest strategy. Dallas at least has a Plan B at left tackle, where guard Tyler Smith played as a rookie. However, Smith wasn't great in that role—he was responsible for 13 penalties and six sacks allowed, according to Pro Football Focus—and moving him would create a void at left guard.
Simply put, the line is a weakness until the rookies prove otherwise. If they fail to develop quickly, the Cowboys will have to strongly consider free agents like Donovan Smith and Mason Cole.
Wide Receiver Depth
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The Cowboys have one star receiver in CeeDee Lamb, but the depth behind him is questionable at best. Michael Gallup was released early in free agency, and Brandin Cooks was merely a serviceable No. 2 last season.
Cooks finished with just 657 receiving yards, though he did catch eight touchdown passes.
The good news is that tight end Jake Ferguson can augment the passing attack in a big way. The bad news is that Dallas' depth at wide receiver is still lacking. Jalen Tolbert, who has just 280 receiving yards in two seasons, is now WR3. The Cowboys did nothing to bolster the position before taking a fifth-round flier on Ryan Flournoy.
Yes, Prescott passed for over 4,500 yards with 36 touchdowns last season while playing with a similar group. However, that doesn't mean that depth isn't a major concern. Dallas has Super Bowl aspirations, and those could go out the window if Lamb misses any significant amount of time.
Unfortunately, the remaining receiver market is lacking. Dallas could take a flier on Hunter Renfrow or Michael Thomas. However, it will most likely eye the trade market or try to make a value add after final roster cuts.
Either that, or the Cowboys will roll the dice with Lamb, Ferguson, and not a whole lot else.
*Cap information via Spotrac.
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