Cowboys Bad 'Future'? Why Are ESPN Rankings Always Wrong?

In the opinion of many, the Dallas Cowboys have one of their best chances at making good on their expectations of making a deep playoff run this season. A big reason for that added belief around the Cowboys is their retention of major contributors like quarterback Dak Prescott, running back Tony Pollard, receiver CeeDee Lamb, edge rusher Micah Parsons, and cornerback Trevon Diggs among others.

In the face of that, ESPN recently wrote in their future power rankings of all 32 NFL teams that while the Cowboys may currently have one of the top rosters in the league, there is a major concern going forward. Speaking with a panel of experts, the article ranked each team's future based on their overall grade.

ESPN defines the "future" as the next three seasons, so from now until 2025. The article further explains that the panel of experts grades each team based on their quarterback, the rest of the roster (not including the QB), drafting ability and capital, coaching, and front office. So how did the Cowboys grade out according to these categories?

Well, they earned a B, with an 83.2 overall grade, which put them at No. 10. It certainly isn't a bad grade, as the Philadelphia Eagles are the only team in the NFC East with a brighter future according to the rankings. Additionally, the Cowboys rank No. 4 among the rest of the NFC, with both the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers also ranking higher.

So what's the problem? While the article lists the Cowboys' ability to find and develop talent in the NFL Draft as a "reason for hope," they aren't convinced about Mike McCarthy's new "Texas Coast Offense."

"Philosophically, what this team wants to be offensively and what it is equipped to be are two different things," ESPN writes. "Coach Mike McCarthy said this offseason, 'I want to run the damn ball so I can rest my defense. ... Being a head coach and being a play-caller, you're a little more in tune with [everything].' That sounds good in theory, but primary running back Tony Pollard is returning from a fractured left fibula, [and] has not been signed to a long-term deal, and will no longer be able to share the load with Ezekiel Elliott."

We're not sure ESPN is "in tune'' with what's actually going on here. To wit ...

*The Cowboys have chosen their Pollard/Elliott path. It was not forced upon them. They could've used other ways to handle this. It should not be anticipated that their decision weakens them. Nor, from what CowboysSI.com has been told, is there a rehab concern for Pollard. Indeed, we watched him work at OTAs and minicamp. And that's reinforced what we've been told.

*We're befuddled as to why anybody at ESPN thinks they're more qualified to match up Dallas' "philosophical wants'' with its "equipment'' than coaches McCarthy, Dan Quinn and John Fassel. Who knows more about what Dallas is doing and why? Those three? Or the trio of ESPN panelists, ex-scout Louis riddick and sportswriters Dan Graziano and Seth Walder?

*ESPN is still questioning Prescott's ability to lower his career-high interception total from last season; we'll stick with our bet that he will indeed throw fewer than 15 picks.

Ultimately, the Cowboys "future'' may or may not be about the "Texas Coast Offense.'' And if things go wrong, they may not be about this coaching staff as presently constructed. But the criticism of the franchise with "the No. 4-best future'' with a host of stars under the age of 25, which is what "future'' is really about? ESPN sure has a weird way of giving a compliment.

Unless ... there's a trend here. And we're not talking about a Cowboys trend.

Going into the 2021 season, ESPN's "future'' rating had the Cowboys sitting in 16th place. Mediocre at best. Were they right? That year, Dallas finished 12-5, won the NFC East, swept the division, led the NFL in takeaways and led the NFL in scoring.

Going into the 2022 season, ESPN's "future'' rating had the Cowboys sitting in 20th place. Worse than mediocre! Were they right? That year, Dallas finished 12-5, made the playoffs for the second straight season for the first time since 2007 and won a postseason game.

Conclusion, based on ESPN's Cowboys track record in the "past''? They don't know anything about the Cowboys track record of the "future.''

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