The Dallas Cowboys in the Dak Prescott era have always been a respectable team but perhaps not a great team. The team with Prescott consistently makes the postseason but they have failed to ever advance to an NFC Championship Game with Prescott at the helm. Having seemingly hit a wall with Jason Garrett as the head coach, the team then appointed Mike McCarthy as the head coach of the team. McCarthy, in my estimation, had a strong tenure with the Dallas Cowboys but after five season the two parties seemed to amicably split. The Cowboys in the Prescott-McCarthy era went 12-5 three years in a row, which is not easy to come by. In the first of the 12-5 seasons they came up just short to the San Francisco 49ers in the playoffs by one possession who although they did not make the Super Bowl, one could certainly argue that they were indeed the strongest NFC team that year. In the second of the 12-5 seasons they once again came up just short to the 49ers in the playoffs by one possession who once again even though they did not make the Super Bowl, one could certainly argue they were the strongest NFC team. In the third of the 12-5 seasons the team captured the #2 seed in the NFC, which was just short of the #1 seed 49ers who made the Super Bowl. However come postseason time the Cowboys collapsed against the likes of the Green Bay Packers. So, for a period of time when the 49ers were the premier team in the NFC, one could certainly argue that the Cowboys were the next closest thing to them. The Eagles and Lions were arguably the two premier teams in professional football over the course of the 2024 season. During the 2023 season where although those two teams were not quite as strong as they were in 2024, Dallas went 2-1 against them and finished with a higher playoff seed than both of them. Including blowing out the Eagles at home and the only time they lost against either team was very narrowly on the road in Philadelphia. In the 2024 season after the string of consecutive 12-5 seasons the Cowboys unfortunately were only able to win 7 games. A season ending injury to Dak Prescott combined with the loss of defensive coordinator Dan Quinn who is perhaps the premier defensive mind in the NFL contributed to the lack of success this past season. Heading into the 2025 season the Cowboys have split with head coach Mike McCarthy and have promoted offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to the head coaching position. Another big change on the coaching staff is the dismissal of defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer who replaced Quinn last year. The team has now appointed former Bears head coach Matt Eberflus to the defensive coordinator position. There have been big changes to the Cowboys this offseason, in particular a new head coach and two new coordinators. The Cowboys front office is optimistic that the new coaching staff with Prescott can not only return the team to the form they had when they went 12-5 three years in a row, but take that up a notch.
The Cowboys have their work cut out for them this offseason as the team struggled in all three phases this past season. The offensive side of the ball was a concerning point for the team and I have conducted an analysis of it which can be found below.
Cowboys 2024 Offensive Rankings
21st in points per game
16th in yards per game
28th in offense grade according to Pro Football Focus
As you can see from the above data, the Cowboys were a very mediocre offensive team over the course of the 2024 campaign. Prescott missing a large chunk of time with a season ending injury combined with some weak points from a personnel standpoint contributed to this. I conducted a unit-by-unit breakdown of the Cowboys offensive personnel from a season ago which can be found below. I have included the offense grade that each player on the unit was given by Pro Football Focus. I have also assigned each player a subjective grade that indicates how strong of players I deem them to be in totality outside of just 2024, which I based upon yearly statistical output and subjective grades that have been assigned to them by Pro Football Focus.
Cowboys Offensive Line Starters
LT – Tyler Guyton – (78/87) offense grade over 668 snaps in 2024, C to C- so far as 2024 first rounder
LG – Tyler Smith – (18/83) offense grade over 1052 snaps in 2024, B+
C – Cooper Beebe – (18/43) offense grade over 1059 snaps in 2024, B so far as 2024 third rounder
RG – Zack Martin – (35/83) offense grade over 638 snaps in 2024, B+ to A-, retired
RT – Terence Steele – (45/87) offense grade over 1168 snaps in 2024, C+
Cowboys Key Offensive Line Reserves
G – T.J Bass – (46/83) offense grade over 315 snaps in 2024, C
G – Brock Hoffman – (31/83) offense grade over 515 snaps in 2024, C+ to B-, free agent
T – Asim Richards – (68/87) offense grade over 181 snaps in 2024, C
T – Chuma Edoga – (75/87) offense grade over 226 snaps in 2024, C to C+, free agent
Cowboys Key Offensive Line Rankings from 2024
9th in pass blocking efficiency
14th in sacks allowed
23rd in pass blocking grade according to Pro Football Focus
18th in run blocking grade according to Pro Football Focus
As you can see from the above three sets of data, the Cowboys had a pretty average offensive line over the course of this past season. The average production that opposes the elite production on the offensive front that the Cowboys usually get in the Prescott era can be attributed to the following. Long time veteran presence at left tackle Tyron Smith departed the team in free agency and was not present on the Dallas roster for the first time since 2011. Tyler Guyton, who was a first-round pick in 2024, replaced him but really struggled as a rookie. Future hall of fame right guard Zack Martin who typically gives Dallas elite production had a career worst year despite still grading as above average among qualified guards. This combined with Martin and Steele missing extended periods of time due to injury led to the dip in the Dallas offensive line production. Quarterback Dak Prescott is not overly mobile and the Cowboys have one of the weaker if not one of the weakest running back rooms in the league so upgrading the offensive line should be a priority this offseason. The team should be optimistic that 2024 first round pick left tackle Tyler Guyton can take a big step forward in year 2 after struggling as a rookie. Similar logic applies to center Cooper Beebe who was also a rookie in 2024 but who had a pretty strong year despite the inexperience. Right guard Zack Martin has now retired and a priority this offseason should be to replace his production. If the two young players can step their game up and if the team can sign a star guard along the lines of a Trey Smith from the Chiefs who is a free agent, then the Cowboys will be in line to get elite production up front. As they have been prior to this past season for the most part in the Prescott era. I have conducted a similar analysis of the team’s key skill position players which can be found below.
Cowboys Key Skill Position Players
WR1 – Ceedee Lamb – (26/110) offense grade in 2024 in 15 games, A
TE1 – Jake Ferguson – (41/45) offense grade in 2024 in 14 games, B-
WR2 – Jalen Tolbert – (91/110) offense grade in 2024 in 17 games, C to C-
HB1 – Rico Dowdle – (21/57) offense grade in 2024 in 16 games, C+ to B-, free agent
WR2 – Kavontae Turpin – (49/110) offense grade in 2024 in 17 games, B to B-, free agent
TE2 – Luke Schoonmaker – (38/45) offense grade in 2024 in 17 games, C to C-
WR3 – Brandin Cooks – (81/110) offense grade in 2024 in 10 games, C+, free agent
HB2 – Ezekiel Elliot – (51/57) offense grade in 2024 in 15 games, C
As you can see above, outside of superstar wide out Ceedee Lamb, the Dallas Cowboys really lacked any impact players from a skill position standpoint. Tight end Jake Ferguson, after being highly productive in his first two seasons ranking above average to well above average in terms of an offense grade in both seasons, really struggled this past season ranking among the worst tight ends in the NFL. Brandin Cooks, who is now aging, had a career worst year. Cooks who before this year was consistently above average to well above average as a wideout is now a free agent as well. The production that the Cowboys can expect to get from those two is a big question mark even if they resign Cooks. As stated previously the team’s running back room is a big question mark as even though Dowdle gave the team strong production this past season, he was far from a superstar. In 2023, which was the only other year Dowdle logged substantial snaps in, he really struggled as well. The Cowboys should emphasize adding skill position talent this offseason to complement Ceedee Lamb. While also hoping that usually productive and reliable tight end Jake Ferguson can regain his form prior to this season. As well as being optimistic that Rico Dowdle who is inconsistent can maintain his form from 2024 to 2025 if they were to resign him.
Overall, on the offensive side of the ball the Cowboys left much to be desired this past season. Dak Prescott although he is effective is not a superstar and he missed half of this past season as well. Outside of Ceedee Lamb the Cowboys on the offensive side of the ball had 2-3 other solid to above average players but the remaining players were average to mediocre. It remains to be seen how the Cowboys will look on the offensive side of the ball with newly appointed head coach Brian Schottenheimer and how he will click with Dak Prescott. But regardless the team really needs to add some talent from an offensive personnel perspective this offseason as outside of star-wide out Ceedee Lamb they are really lacking in that department. If Dallas can add some key players while also seeing their young left tackle and young center take a big step forward in year 2. Along with seeing tight end Jake Ferguson regain his form, then the Cowboys will be in a very good spot offensively in 2025 with Prescott and Schottenheimer.
The defensive side of the ball was even more concerning than the offensive side of the ball this past season and the Cowboys’ team defensive statistics can be found below.
2024 Cowboy Defensive Rankings
28th in defense grade according to Pro Football Focus
31st in points per game allowed
28th in yards per game allowed
As you can see from the above data the Dallas Cowboys were one of the weakest teams in the league this past season on the defensive end. I have conducted a similar unit-by-unit analysis of the team on the defensive end which can be found below.
Cowboys Key Defensive Lineman
DL – Osa Odighizuwa – (32/146) defense grade over 859 snaps in 2024, B+, free agent
DL – Mazi Smith – (142/146) defense grade over 524 snaps in 2024, D+, 2023 1st rounder
DL – Linval Joseph – (92/146) defense grade over 264 snaps in 2024, C+ to B-, free agent
DL – Carlos Watkins – (60/146) defense grade over 228 snaps in 2024, C+, free agent
ED – Micah Parsons – (6/135) defense grade over 694 snaps in 2024, A+
ED – Chauncey Golston – (59/135) defense grade over 790 snaps in 2024, B, free agent
ED – Carl Lawson – (87/135) defense grade over 402 snaps in 2024, C+, free agent
ED – Marshawn Kneeland – (126/135) defense grade over 255 snaps, D+ to C-, 2024 2nd rounder
ED – Demarcus Lawrence – (99/135) defense grade over 167 snaps in 2024, A, free agent
As you can see from the above data the Dallas Cowboys had several standouts on the defensive line in Micah Parsons, Osa Odighizuwa, and Demarcus Lawrence, the last of whom missed most of this past season due to injury. In addition to that, the team’s remaining players on the defensive front were all solid, coincidentally outside of a few players both of whom were drafted in the first or second round in recent memory. Most of the defensive line entering this offseason are free agents and it remains to be seen how the team will handle potential re-signings. If the team can see improvement from Mazi Smith and Kneeland who were both high draft picks in recent memory but have really underwhelmed thus far in the NFL, it would suit the team well. I have conducted a similar analysis of the teams linebacking unit which can be found below.
Cowboys Key Linebackers
LB – Eric Kendricks – (14/92) defense grade in 2024 over 918 snaps, B to B+, free agent
LB – Marist Liufau – (83/92) defense grade in 2024 over 520 snaps, C to C- so far as 2024 3rd rounder
LB – Demarvion Overshown – (53/92) defense grade in 2024 over 708 snaps, C
LB – Damone Clark – (33/92) defense grade in 2024 over 163 snaps, C+
As you can see from the above data the Cowboys had a respectable linebacking unit which was led by standout Eric Kendricks who is a free agent entering this offseason. The remaining linebackers are nothing to write home about although Liufau can potentially improve into a solid starter for years to come heading into his 2nd NFL season. I have conducted a similar analysis of the team’s secondary which can be found below.
Cowboys Key Secondary Players
CB – Jourdan Lewis – (25/128) defense grade in 2024 over 871 snaps, C+ to B-, free agent
CB – Trevon Diggs – (93/128) defense grade in 2024 over 683 snaps, C+ to B-
CB – Daron Bland – (36/128) defense grade in 2024 over 436 snaps, B+ to A-
CB – Amani Oruwariye – (84/128) defense grade in 2024 over 286 snaps, C to C+, free agent
S – Malik Hooker – (47/104) defense grade in 2024 over 1062 snaps, B to B+
S – Donovan Wilson – (63/104) defense grade in 2024 over 1008 snaps, C+ to B-
S – Juanyeh Thomas- (83/104) defense grade in 2024 over 93 snaps, B, free agent
S – Markquese Bell – (96/104) defense grade in 2024 over 34 snaps, B, free agent
As you can see from the above data, the Dallas Cowboys were solid in the secondary this past season. Daron Bland is a standout player but missed much of this past season due to injury. Malik Hooker is above average at safety. Outside of those two the remaining players are all solid and capable. Jourdan Lewis and Trevon Diggs are erratic as both are highly effective on the high end but fail to maintain that high end on a consistent basis. Going into next season Lewis is a free agent and even if the team brings him back, they will need him and Diggs to be more consistent in totality next year.
Overall, on the defensive side of the ball the Cowboys were one of the weakest teams in the league this past season. In the 2023 season the Cowboys were 5th in points allowed but ranked 31st in that same department this past season. With mostly the same personnel on the defensive side from 2023 to 2024 that steep drop off can be attributed to a few injuries such as to stars Demarcus Lawrence and Daron Bland. Above all else that drop off can be attributed to the change in defensive coordinator from Dan Quinn to Mike Zimmer. Hopefully the addition of Matt Eberflus can right the ship on the defensive end for Dallas. The Cowboys have several free agents on the defensive end and it remains to be seen how the team will approach the offseason with all those free agents.
In totality the Dallas Cowboys went from the #2 seed in the NFC in 2023 to 7-10 and missing the playoffs in 2024. This can be attributed to Dak Prescott suffering a season ending injury and defensive coordinator Dan Quinn departing to be a head coach. Prescott will likely stay healthy next season and Eberflus although he may not be at Quinn’s level from a defensive standpoint can certainly coordinate the defense better than Zimmer ostensibly did this past season. The Cowboys need to decide what direction they are going in as a franchise. They have far too little talent on their team to rank 26th in the NFL in cap space. In my estimation they should explore letting many of the free agents walk and enter a rebuild mode with new head coach Brian Schottenheimer. Although based upon how they looked in the Mike McCarthy era for the most part, they have certainly shown that they’re capable of contending to win the NFC with Prescott and this core collection of players around him.
