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2020 NFL Roster Breakdown: Dallas Cowboys


Roster changes

 

Key additions

QB Andy Dalton, DE Aldon Smith, DT Gerald McCoy, DT Dontari Poe, S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, K Greg Zuerlein

 

Key losses

WR Randall Cobb, WR Tavon Austin, TE Jason Witten, OT Cameron Fleming, G Xavier Su’a-Filo, DE Robert Quinn, DE Michael Bennett, CB Byron Jones, S Jeff Heath

 

2020 draft class

WR CeeDee Lamb (1.17), CB Trevon Diggs (2.51), DT Neville Gallimore (3.82), CB Reggie Robinson (4.123), C Tyler Biadasz (4.146), DE Bradlee Anae (5.179), QB Ben DiNucci (7.231)

 

Projected Starters

 

Offense

QB: Dak Prescott
RB: Ezekiel Elliott
WR: Amari Cooper
WR: Michael Gallup
WR: CeeDee Lamb
TE: Blake Jarwin
LT: Tyron Smith
LG: Connor Williams
C: Tyler Biadasz
RG: Zack Martin
RT: La’el Collins

 

Defense

DE: Demarcus Lawrence
DT: Gerald McCoy
DT: Dontari Poe
DE: Aldon Smith
LB: Leighton Vander Esch
LB: Jaylon Smith
CB: Trevon Diggs
CB: Chidobe Awuzie
CB: Jourdan Lewis
S: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
S: Xavier Woods

 

Team Outlook

 

Biggest strength: Wide receiver

The offensive line remains among the best in football, but wide receiver gets the edge here after Dallas saw CeeDee Lamb fall into their laps last month. Having two star-level talents behind Amari Cooper should smooth out the inconsistencies for both him and the offense in general, and it’s worth noting that Mike McCarthy’s system in Green Bay was able to sustain multiple 1,000-yard receivers at a time. The franchise clearly has big things in mind for their first-rounder after giving him No. 88, but don’t forget that Michael Gallup had a 66/1,107/6 line in 2019.

 

Biggest weakness: Secondary

I wouldn’t even classify the secondary as a weakness for the Cowboys because I have a very high opinion on the two new starters in particular (Trevon Diggs and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix), but it’s probably fair to say the group as a whole is currently unproven. However, the pass rush—potentially bolstered by Aldon Smith and Randy Gregory—will make things easier in coverage, and a new coaching staff should be a plus considering the previous regime didn’t really get the most out of a talented unit.

 

Position battle to watch: Center

I thought former Wisconsin center Tyler Biadasz was worth a selection in the middle of Day 2, but the Cowboys were able to get their Travis Frederick replacement in a rare trade up with the rival Eagles in the fourth round, and it will be interesting see the impact he makes this season and beyond. To start his career, Biadasz will have to beat out veteran Joe Looney—who started 16 games a couple of years ago when Frederick missed the entire 2018 season.

 

One more thought

Dak Prescott’s potential holdout will be one of the biggest storylines of the summer, and it might be a mistake for him to miss valuable time if a deal isn’t reached before training camp. No matter how you feel personally about the franchise, there’s no denying that being the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys brings inherent value to someone’s personal brand, so the organization is wise to stand strong in negotiations—and Dak could be getting some bad advice if winning is the top priority. Right now, I’d guess this turns into the Kirk Cousins game where the two sides go with the franchise tag for one or two years, but that doesn’t seem like a formula for a championship team.

 

Early over/under: 9.5 wins (via FOX Bet)

Over. The Prescott situation complicates things, but based purely on talent up and down the roster, there is no excuse for the Cowboys to fall below expectations in Mike McCarthy’s first year at the helm. If the offensive line stays healthy and the rookies adjust quickly to the NFL game, Dallas should be dangerous.

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