Dallas Cowboys: 6 Remaining Questions this Offseason

Between the NFL Draft haul, the new coaching staff, and some savvy moves in free agency, the Dallas Cowboys took a huge step forward, but there are still some remaining questions which must be answered.

The Dallas Cowboys have a new coach, a new philosophy, and some new players. For this team to take the next step and be a more successful team, there are some remaining questions that must be answered.

On paper, this team got better this offseason, but there are still some things that could derail what they have been building (or at least some unknowns).

Dallas Cowboys Unknown No. 1: Defensive End

The first unknowns are in the form of Randy Gregory and Aldon Smith. Gregory is currently suspended and as far as anyone knows, has not applied for reinstatement. He hasn’t played in two years and will be needed at defensive end, even if it’s just part of the rotation. The same applies to Aldon Smith who has been out of football for five years and is now 30. Both will be needed this season, even if they are not the same players they were the last we saw them.

Smith is the bigger unknown in some ways. He has been out of football for a long time and while he appears to be in shape, he hasn’t played a down. The Cowboys invested in Bradlee Anae during the draft, but the experience and depth at defensive end without Smith and Gregory is a question we just do not have an answer for.

Dallas Cowboys Unknown No. 2: Tight End

The next unknown is what the tight end position will actually be. I feel pretty confident that Blake Jarwin is the starting tight end, but after him the waters get murky. The backup group is a mash-up of Dalton Schultz, Sean McKeon, Blake Bell, and Cole Hikutini.

If Jarwin gets injured the depth behind him is a huge question and the depth chart is anyone’s guess at this point. Bell has the most experience, so penciling him in at the number 2 is a fairly safe assumption right now.

Dallas Cowboys Unknown No. 3: Offensive Line

The offensive line is a question as well. Maybe not in the dire way that some other spots are, but who will be the starting center is a relative unknown. Joe Looney is a known commodity, but drafting of Tyler Biadasz certainly gives Looney a run.

Marcus Henry is somewhere in the mix and they could move a guard like McGovern over to get some looks as well. Losing an All-Pro like Frederick hurts, and we are not sure what it looks like yet.

Dallas Cowboys Unknown No. 4: Cornerback

At corner, it seems like there is little agreement on the starting two. Some will insist it is Jourdan Lewis and Chidobe Awuzie. But with the drafting of Trevon Diggs and Reggie Robinson II, the acquisitions of Daryl Worley and Marcus Canady, the returning of Anthony Brown, CJ Goodwin, and Deante Burton along with some others, the depth chart is far from a sure thing.

Guessing today I would say Awuzie and Diggs might be your starters, but there is a good chance they move Awuzie to safety so we’ll probably have to wait to training camp to find out.

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Dallas Cowboys Unknown No. 5: Receiver

At wide receiver the position group looks a little clearer, but the depth chart after the top three is a little mysterious. Of course Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, and Michael Gallup are your top three. After them the questions abound. Noah Brown and Devin Smith might be the front-runners, but really it is anyone’s guess.

Dallas Cowboys Unknown No. 6: Quarterback

The last question is whether Dak Prescott will hold out, play on the tag, or will he sign a contract. My guess is he will eventually sign before the July 15 deadline, but it is a question right now.

The depth behind Prescott was shored up with Andy Dalton, but should Dak hold out, then who will be behind Dalton is probably Ben DiNucci or Clayton Thorson — a huge yikes. They need to get Dak signed, period.

This team on paper could be an eleven win team. If some questions are answered in the wrong direction, well who knows. There are questions left to be answered and with the strange offseason, we may not get the full answers we are looking for. If it comes together the way it could, this will be a very good Dallas Cowboys team.

• Published on 05/19/2020 at 12:01 PM
• Last updated at 05/19/2020 at 11:49 AM