Dallas Cowboys: 4 significant losses Dak Prescott must overcome

As Dak Prescott enters year No. 8, the faces in the Dallas Cowboys organization continues to change around him. Most would say the 2022-2023 was the worst season in his career. After starting the season with an embarrassing loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he missed 5 games with a thumb injury.

Once he returned against the Detroit Lions, the interceptions came along for the ride. Of those eleven remaining games, he had double digit interceptions in five of them. The anxiety of the fans was at an all-time high.

Regardless of the missteps, Jerry Jones, Mike McCarthy and everyone else in the Dallas Cowboys organization continue to have the upmost confidence in the maligned quarterback. Now, the same can’t be said for those around him. At the end of the 2021-2022 season, Amari Cooper and La’el Collins were shown the door even though they were important to the Dallas Cowboys success.

So, what’s in store for the 2023 offseason?

We assess the pending roster changes and explain the impact of possible losses on the Dallas Cowboys

We know early on that there is changing of the guard in the coaching ranks. There will be changes to the roster as well. The most important question we should ask ourselves is – which of the changes will impact Dakota Rayne Prescott the most?

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1). How will Dak and the Dallas Cowboys cope without Kellen Moore?

Kellen Moore and Dak Prescott have been tied at the hip practically the entire time Dak has been with the Dallas Cowboys. It seems like centuries ago that Dak was actually fourth on the depth chart behind Tony Romo, Kellen and even Jameill Showers for a smidge of time. A broken ankle for Kellen, injured back for Tony and Jameill being Jameill and the rest is history.

Early on, Dak needed support. He was a rookie quarterback that was leading in the most high-profile team in America. Kellen and Tony were Dak’s support system in the locker room. In 2019, Kellen eventually found his way to the offensive coordinator spot. While some fans didn’t love Moore’s play calling abilities, we can’t deny the fact that Dak’s statistical career started to blossom once Kellen was fully in charge.

Call it coincidence but Kellen’s first year as offensive coordinator was also Dak’s best statistical season to that point in his career. Just over 4900 yards, 30 touchdowns and a quarterback rating of 99.7.

Whether it’s admitted or not, Dak’s comfort in knowing the offense like the back of his hand will be gone. Being on the same wavelength with his play caller will be gone. Having the relationship and freedom to tell Kellen what’s working well and what’s not working – gone.

While Kellen Moore has said all the right things about the separation from the Dallas Cowboys, something tells me that Dak Prescott wasn’t fully a part of that decision making. Granted, players play, coaches coach and front office handles the business. But I would bet my last dollar that Dak Prescott deep down inside didn’t want this change but has taken the professional approach and say all the right things.

Change Impact Meter: 7 out of 10

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2. The Dallas Cowboys anticipated release of long-time running back, Ezekiel Elliott.

This isn’t breaking news or anything like that. But it may be in the news cycle sooner rather than later. Everyone has either read or heard about the possibility that this may be the last year for running back, Ezekiel Elliott.

A restructured contract may give him another year. But, if I was a betting man, I would tell Dak Prescott to prepare for life without his long-time backfield mate.

The term “security blanket” has been thrown around for players like Jason Witten, Cole Beasley and even Dalton Schultz. All three were worthy of having that title for Dak Prescott. But Zeke’s name needs to be on that list.

From the first four years of their career, Ezekiel Elliott was the best player in that backfield. Some would argue that Zeke should have been the Offensive Rookie of the Year. Those first four years when Dak was described as a “bus driver”, Ezekiel Elliott was the engine that moved that bus. He averaged 292 carries, 1351 rushing yards and a total of 40 rushing touchdowns. He was a top three runner in the league at that point and a first-round fantasy football choice.

Once Zeke’s body started to slow down, he still arrived to work with his lunch pail ready to ensure that Dak was protected. Week after week Elliott was a pass protecting extraordinaire ensuring that his quarterback had those few extra seconds in the pocket.

I won’t go out on a climb and say Dak wouldn’t be who he is without Zeke. However, I will say that it was definitely comforting to have a bruising, All-Pro running back to hand the ball off to in your formidable seasons.

Nothing has been set in stone yet with the running back’s future in Dallas. It’s rare to find a franchise quarterback and an elite running back in one draft but Dallas absolutely fell backwards into that situation. Very soon, Dak may have to find someone else to pick up the delayed blitz for him, but that’s easier said than done.

Change Impact Meter: 5 out of 10

Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

3. Will Tyron Smith be back for the Dallas Cowboys next season to protect Dak’s blind spot?

For this potential change, there’s at least a plan in place but it doesn’t change the fact that this is another moving piece around Dak Prescott. Tyron Smith has been his anchor and his blind side protector for the better part. of Dak’s entire career. Dak was able to drop back carefree because he knew Tyron was there in pass protection and would minimize the pass rush.

This move is the ultimate domino effect. Without Tyron, Tyler Smith will have to move from the interior and to the edge. While he is overly talented, he’s not quite the technician that we’ve come to expect from Tyron.

There’s no debating that Tyler has a bright future in this league. It’s more about Tyron and the player he was (when healthy) for Dak. Let’s reference our good friend Pro Football Focus. According to PFF, in Dak’s seven years in the league, Tyron has averaged an overall grade of 77.28.

The knock is always going to be the availability with number 77. Tyron’s value to Dak is clear when he is not on the field as much as when he is on. Prior to last season, it was a notable train wreck on that left side when Tyron wasn’t available.

Everyone remembers the Chaz Green fiasco against Atlanta. With that said, let’s move on. Revisiting that memory reminds every one of the legend of “Coach Clap”. All Dallas Cowboys fans will understand that reference.

Players come and go in the NFL, so it’s probably won’t be as big a deal. However, the one thing that quarterbacks enjoy, and Dak is no exception, is continuity in their offense especially the offensive line. Tyron may or may not be a Hall of Fame lock, but he was definitely an important piece for Dak’s ascension.

Change Impact Meter: 3 out of 10 (would be higher if not for injuries)

. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

4. Will the Dallas Cowboys let Dak’s security blanket walk out the door?

A good tight end is hard to come by in the NFL. The chess piece that are too big for corners to cover but too fast for linebackers/safeties. There are not many game-changing tight ends and when a quarterback finds one, they automatically, by default, becomes the “security blanket”. Mahomes has Kelce. Purdy had Kittle and Lamar has Mark Andrews.

That’s exactly what Dalton Schultz was for Dak Prescott for the last three seasons. Averaging 66 receptions, 666 yards and 17 total receiving touchdowns is a testament to Dalton’s relationship, connection and trust that he has earned with the signal caller.

Last offseason, Dak watched from the sideline as his number one receiver (Amari Cooper) was cast off to the dog pound better known as Cleveland, OH. It was a much easier pill to swallow knowing that the Dallas Cowboys wanted to elevate CeeDee Lamb into that number one receiver role. Where will Dak turn when he’s looking for number 86 and he is no longer there to bail him out? What’s the plan for Dalton?

If Dalton leaves in free agency, that will change the way Dak operates in the pocket. It took Dak and Dalton two seasons before the rapport that everyone sees on the field started to show itself.  Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot will be fine players for the Dallas Cowboys, but fans should temper expectations.

It will not be an overnight success and the fruits of their labor may need some time to produce. Whether Dak admits or not, if Dalton walks out that door, the impact will be felt. Whether or not it’s marginalized by the replacements will be something to watch out for.

Change Impact Meter: 6 out of 10

The changes won’t end there. Many additional personnel changes are expected over the next few weeks as well, all sure to have an impact in 2023.