Predicting the Dallas Cowboys’ starting 22 in 2022

2022 Dallas Cowboys starting offense

QB: Dak Prescott

Given Dak’s uncertain contract situation this is no sure thing. If Dak plays under the franchise tag in 2020, the chances of him being on the team in 2022 are slim. That’s because the tag value will increase 20% year over year and he will be impossible to tag a third time.

As I’ve stated before, Dak Prescott holds all the leverage and stands to gain the most money if he plays this just like Kirk Cousins did with the Washington DC franchise. That’s why it’s imperative the Dallas Cowboys ink Dak to a deal by the July 15 deadline.

But as indicated by the prediction above, I believe the Cowboys will get a deal done.

RB: Ezekiel Elliott

Given the structure of his contract, chances are good Zeke will be in Dallas in 2022 (although I believe he will be cut before the 2023 season). His contract was designed to make him uncuttable the first few years so I’m extremely confident he’ll be in Dallas in 2022.

WR: CeeDee Lamb, Amari Cooper, Jon’Vea Johnson

I made a couple bold predictions here, the first of which is Amari Cooper remaining on the Dallas Cowboys roster. Amari’s deal makes him cuttable in two years. In other words, if he doesn’t live up to his top-of-the-market contract, the Cowboys can release him and only face mild damage in dead money ($6M). But that may not happen.

This is not an indictment on Michael Gallup in any way. In fact, it’s the opposite. I think Gallup will be so good the next two seasons he’ll be too costly to re-sign.

This is not an indictment on Michael Gallup in any way. In fact, it’s the opposite. I think Gallup will be so good the next two seasons he’ll be too costly to re-sign. And by the time we get to 2022, $22 million for a No. 1 WR like Amari won’t be that bad. Now, if Cooper can’t stay healthy the next two seasons, this whole prediction could change, but as of today I think both Coop and Gallup are going to have great ’20 and ’21 seasons.

As for WR3, chances are a player yet to be drafted will hold the job. But since we’re trying to use real names as much as possible, I’m going with Jon’Vea Johnson. I think he’ll claim the WR5 job in 2020 and based on his tenure, 2022 he’ll be playing under the restricted tag for the Dallas Cowboys.

TE: Blake Jarwin

Age, career trajectory, and contract say this going to be Blake Jarwin for sure. Blake is primed to explode in 2020 and his contract is extremely modest for the next four seasons.

OL: La’el Collins, Tyron Smith, Zach Martin, Tyler Biadasz, Connor McGovern

I think talk of Tyron Smith’s decline is premature and in 2022 he’ll just be 31-years-old (amazing, right?) and only cost a little over $13M. Connor McGovern is 100% about cost and projection. He’s a talented pick who will still be playing under his rookie deal in 2022.