Aaron M. Sprecher | AP
The Cowboys are approaching the draft with a swagger the NFL world hasn’t seen from them in many years. They’re strutting alongside the countdown to draft day because they know their needs have already been met. According to Jane Slater it can be about best player available, or BPA.
We’ll take closer look at the Cowboys offense and grade the positional groups with only a fortnight to go until the big day.
Quarterback Group:
Grade: B
Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush
Dak Prescott is a very likeable person of strong character and is widely respected amongst his peers. He’s also highly skilled and has the ability to be one of the best in the game.
Problem areas unmask themselves when he makes the occasional costly decision or when his throws are off-target all day. There’s a possibility he’s been stashing away a talentless identical twin who subs for him two or three times a year.
The Cowboys are in a position of luxury to have an experienced and composed quarterback who was groomed to be the backup to their franchise starter. Rush‘s teammates and most of Cowboys Nation adore him.
Running Back Group:
Grade: B+
Tony Pollard, Ronald Jones II
Tony Pollard is unbelievably talented and depending how his injury heals, his highlight reel could be even fancier in 2023 as the feature back. He’s patiently waited for his chance to take over the starting role and after slapping him with the franchise tag that time is now, barring a bigtime trade.
Ronald Jones II has shown potential but hasn’t been able to break free from the backup role so far in his career. It’s hard to know what to expect from Jones after he barely got to see the field last season.
Wide Receiver Group:
Grade: A
Ceedee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, Michael Gallup
Ceedee Lamb is a premier wide receiver who was at his best when Amari Cooper opened up the field. Now that the burner Brandin Cooks is in Dallas to perform those same duties, the NFL world has raised its eyebrows once again.
Anyone who has known the previous version of Michael Gallup knows what the athlete was capable of before his injury. After a down year we’re expecting Gallup to return to his sticky-handed, high-hopping, redzone threat self in 2023.
Tight End:
Grade: C+
Jake Ferguson, Peyton Hendershot
This is one of the only groups in the offense that graded lower than a B. The reason for that is purely due to lack of experience at the professional level. After a few games with no Dalton Schultz, either of these guys will be excelling at the position.
On Thanksgiving Day, Jake Ferguson made Cowboys’ fans realize what was ahead of them if they stick with him as their starter. He’s an exciting player with a good skill set and a high ceiling.
Peyton Hendershot also showed flashes when he got his chances. He could very well be the starter of these two young talents.
Both players got help blossoming because of the helpfulness of Schultz, who got to soak up the positional knowledge of Jason Witten for years. It’s become a pedigree for inside information.
Either one of them can hurdle over grown men easily. Failing to mention this would have been akin to depriving the toast of butter.
If the Cowboys don’t go after any other Tight Ends in the draft or free agency they would be better off than people think, but it would be almost shocking at the same time. This is the one area some well-known draft analysts are thinking the Cowboys will focus on right away.
Left Tackle:
Grade: A-
Tyler Smith, Tyron Smith
Tyler Smith slyly and smoothly supplanted the future Hall of Famer and former starting Left Tackle, Tyron Smith. Granted, the only reason it happened is because of injury. With the same name on his jersey and same amazing ability, a lot of people probably didn’t even notice it was a different guy.
Rated #25 on PFF’s list of Tackles, Smith, who was just a rookie last season is a lock to move up in those rankings. It’s also possible the coaches move him to Guard if the former LT Smith moves back to LT from RT.
Left Guard:
Grade: C+
Chuma Edoga
The former Guard who was injured last season in Atlanta has a chance of starting here. Chuma Edoga was spawned in the same draft and just a few picks after the former Cowboys Left Guard Connor McGovern, who went to the Bills, and who he’s potentially replacing.
It would be a surprise if the Cowboys don’t go after line help in the draft, particularly at Guard.
Center:
Grade: C+
Tyler Biadasz
Tyler Biadasz was brought in to replace Travis Frederick. While those were huge shoes to fill, it hasn’t gone particularly well at times. PFF grades his run blocking in the yellow. There is plenty of room to improve and there is a good chance he will do just that.
Right Guard:
Grade: A+
Zack Martin
PFF grades him as the ninth rated Guard from 2022, but he should be higher up on that list. He’s certainly one of the best in the league though the veteran may not be considered the very best anymore. Martin is irreplaceable for the Cowboys.
Right Tackle:
Grade: B+
Tyron Smith, Terence Steele
If they don’t move Smith back to Left Tackle, he’ll make a fine Right Tackle. It’s impossible to know what will transpire in the draft and what the front office and coaching staff plan to do in the following months. But he’s a living legend and he’s not going to be playing a backup role.
Terence Steele came in undrafted and held down the position when they needed him to step up after an injury. He played it so well, they no longer needed the former starter. Steele is a low-key fan favorite.
Very interesting article. Thank you!