The Cowboys had an elite offense during the 2026 season that ranked up there with nearly any in the sport despite having a rookie head coach and a rookie offensive coordinator. The offense will be expected to take the next step heading into the 2026 season as the young coaching staff heads into year 2. The personnel that the Cowboys have on the offensive side of the ball will also loom large as the 2026 season approaches. I have done an analysis of the Cowboys’ offensive line personnel as the season approaches and here, I will go into detail assessing the skill position grouping for Dallas entering the 2026 season.
Starting at running back is former 2nd rounder Javonte Williams who has had an up and down career thus far in the NFL. Williams had a very strong rookie season and was ostensibly in line to become a star at the position but unfortunately really tailed off the next three seasons with Denver ranking well below average among players at his position according to Pro Football Focus in all three seasons. After three consecutive subpar seasons with the Broncos, he then joined the Cowboys where he had a strong season that was comparable to his rookie year. Williams ranked in nearly the top third among players at his position according to Pro Football Focus despite the youth of Dallas’ coaching staff. I think it is very possible that he ranks as a borderline elite player next year with Dallas as the offensive line improves and as the young coaching staff heads into year 2.
Malik Davis is currently listed as the #2 back for Dallas and he has some talent but concerns. Davis, a 2022 undrafted free agent, had a very strong rookie season in limited snaps. Davis however did not see the field at all during the next two seasons but returned to action during this past 2025 season. Davis graded among the worst running backs in the NFL but still averaged nearly 5 yards an attempt in limited snaps. Davis is likely better suited as a #3 back but will be the primary reserve back for Dallas next season as of now.
At tight end the team has some talent but many question marks as well just like at running back. The unit is led by veteran Jake Ferguson who is a talented but inconsistent player at the position. Ferguson in each of his first two seasons in the NFL was graded as a top 10 caliber tight end according to Pro Football Focus. Ferguson has however graded near the bottom of the NFL in each of the next two seasons. Perhaps as Ferguson heads into year 2 with Dallas’ offensive coaching staff, he can recapture the strong form he had earlier in his career.
Tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford is an intriguing player at tight end for the Cowboys as he graded in the well above average range during this past season albeit catching just 9 balls, with this past season being his only season outside of his rookie year. While 2023 2nd round pick tight end Luke Schoonmaker has really underwhelmed in limited NFL snaps but was still drafted very highly for a reason and still has not accumulated enough experience to draw a conclusion on how good he can be.
The Cowboys have one of the premier wide receiver units in the NFL heading into the 2026 season. Former first rounder CeeDee Lamb highlights the unit for Dallas and is one of the top wide outs in the NFL although perhaps not being quite in the same class as the Nico Collins’, Justin Jefferson’s, and Jamarr Chases’ of the world. Lamb has garnered five Pro Bowl selections, two Second-team All-Pro selections, and one First-team All-Pro selection during his time in the NFL thus far.
Former Steeler and second rounder George Pickens was acquired before last season by the Cowboys and really came into his own in year 1 with Dallas. Pickens in three seasons with the Steelers never once graded near the top ten at his position according to Pro Football Focus and never made a pro bowl. While in year 1 with the Cowboys he warranted a Pro Bowl selection, a Second-team All-Pro selection and graded in the top ten among all qualified wide outs according to Pro Football Focus. Pickens is likely the best overall #2 wide out in the NFL as of now.
The Cowboys have some strong depth at wide out as well that could step up for the team in case of injury. 2024 6th rounder Ryan Flournoy struggled as a rookie but had a very strong year 2 in the NFL grading (16/97) among players at his position while catching 40 balls. Flournoy is in the discussion for being the best WR3 in the NFL as of now and is likely a capable WR2 and could prove to be perhaps a WR1 as he improves with more experience and as Dallas’ young coaching staff gains more experience as well. Wide receiver Kavontae Turpin is solid and is a strong backup. Wide receiver Marquez Valdez Scantling is one of the scariest deep threats in the sport today although not being consistently strong as a wide out. While former second rounders Denzel Mims and Jonathan Mingo have been mostly busts thus far in the NFL but were still drafted highly for a reason and either/both could reach their potential with Dallas or at least be viable.
The Cowboys have a solid group of skill position players led by an electric wide receiver core that might be the best in the sport. They have question marks at running back and tight end but have multiple promising players in those units, however. A breakdown of the skill position grouping for Dallas can be found below.
Notable Cowboys’ Wide Receivers
WR – Ceedee Lamb – B+ to A-, maybe graded too low
WR – George Pickens, B+ to A-, maybe graded too low
WR – Ryan Flournoy – B to B+, could improve with more experience
WR – Kavontae Turpin – C+
WR – Marquez Valdez Scantling – C+
WR – Jonathan Mingo – 2023 second rounder, D+ so far, still has played very limited snaps
WR – Denzel Mims – 2020 second rounder, C to C- so far, still has played very limited snaps
Notable Cowboys’ Tight Ends
TE – Jake Ferguson – C+ to B-, great start to career in first two seasons, has nosedived past two years since, could rebound next year
TE – Brevyn Spann-Ford – B- in very limited snaps, still could improve
TE – Luke Schoonmaker – C- so far as 2023 2nd rounder, still has not had enough of a chance to show his potential
Notable Cowboys’ Running Backs
HB – Javonte Williams – C+ to B-, could grade higher than this if he can prove to be more consistent
HB – Malik Davis – C+ to B-
