Cowboys Top ‘Arsenal': New Roster Better or Worse?
Between the Dallas Cowboys wide receivers, tight ends and running backs, no three areas on the roster have seen more change this off-season. But is it change for the better?
With longtime back Ezekiel Elliott out and Tony Pollard in, tight end Dalton Schultz signing with the Houston Texans and the front office trading for veteran pass-catcher Brandin Cooks, the Cowboys will have a new-look offense in more ways than one.
However, this overhaul doesn't impact Dallas too much in the eyes of ESPN, where it ranked No. 7 in “top offensive arsenals.” Comparatively, the Cowboys ranked No. 11 last year and No. 2 in 2021.
"Amari Cooper's departure created an opportunity for CeeDee Lamb to break out, and Lamb responded with a 1,359-yard, nine-touchdown season," ESPN writes. "Unfortunately, Dallas didn't do a great job of replacing Cooper and Cedrick Wilson, as Michael Gallup clearly wasn't 100% in his recovery from a torn ACL, and rookie third-round pick Jalen Tolbert barely saw the field. Enter Brandin Cooks, who was impressive despite replacement-level quarterback play across his final two seasons with the Texans."
Bringing in Cooks in theory opens up this "Texas Coast" offense to a new level, allowing for quarterback Dak Prescott to have a reliable third receiving threat alongside Lamb and healthy Gallup.
And while the loss of Schultz - who pulled in five touchdowns last season - is impactful, this young "Four Horseman" tight end group is looking to replicate that production this season.
"With Ronald Jones and Deuce Vaughn currently projected for meaningful carries," ESPN writes, "and a group of young players with little experience competing for Dalton Schultz's role at tight end, the Cowboys don't have enough outside of their two star wideouts to push higher in these rankings."
Home to one of the NFL's best offenses in recent years, Dallas will have its work cut out in 2023. But with health on its side, this roster may just be cracking the surface of its potential. … and we think is one that is overall better than last year’s playoff-win bunch.
You can find Riley Sheppard on Twitter @RileyDSheppard
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