A brief overview and prediction, as to what the Dallas Cowboys offensive roster could look like to open the 2018 season. Be sure to check out our defensive predictions as well.
Quarterback(3)
Dak Prescott
Cooper Rush
Mike White
Even though it may be common knowledge that the quarterback position is perhaps the most important one in the league, it could enter as the least experienced on roster for Dallas heading into the 2018 season. A combined 33 NFL starts, all of which are accounted for by Prescott. Ranked dead last in the league, the group will be responsible for only 1.54% of the team’s total cap spending. With incoming rookie, Mike White, it was a plan designed all along by Jerry Jones to remain young, in hopes to capitalize off what seems like a dream scenario for any GM.
Running Back(4)
Ezekiel Elliott
Rod Smith
Bo Scarbrough
Tavon Austin
An addition that caught everyone off guard, the question since has been, will Tavon Austin be listed as a wide receiver or running back? Perceived to be dynamic, Austin’s supposed impact has been vacant in the league, but Linehan has found ways for these type of backs to have success.
Twitter: "Man Linehan doesnt know how to use web backs!"
Mo Williams 65 rec
Onterrio Smith/Mewelde Moore 63 rec
Reggie Bush- 94 rec in 2 years
Hell even Lance Dunbar had 21 rec in 3 games lolIm just as big of critic as most but he has done it before
— Skywalker Steele (@SkywalkerSteele) May 14, 2018
Couple him with rookie Bo Scarbrough, it’s a backfield that presents many different variables as a focused Elliott should return to dominance alongside backup Rod Smith.
Fullback(1)
Jamize Olawale
Though the acquisitions were in different times, the Raiders pretty much did a trade with the Cowboys with their fullbacks. As Keith Smith continues his career in Oakland, Dallas payoff was very much received with Jamize Olawale. As for someone who started in Dallas, the scenery should be of nothing new. A capable runner in the open field and pass catcher out of the backfield, Olawale has risen as one better fullbacks that should be an immediate asset to this offense.
Wide Receiver(6)
Allen Hurns
Terrance Williams
Cole Beasley
Michael Gallup
Noah Brown
Cedrick Wilson
Even after the departures of Ryan Switzer and Dez Bryant, this is perhaps the most crowded position on the team, and most difficult to pinpoint on exactly who. After Williams recent troubles with the law, his place on this team may be hanging on the precipice of his contract. This may make the free agency pickup of Deonte Thompson more valuable for Dallas in due time, as they also found their X replacement in Allen Hurns after being released by the Jaguars. Beasley is a shoe-in for the slot, and rookie Michael Gallup has more than enough noise to potentially be the number two. The blocking ability of Noah Brown is loved by the coaches, but also expect a growth as just being pure a receiver. Last but not least, rookie Cedrick Wilson’s proved he can move downfield while at Boise State with sure hands, completing this unit come September.
Tight End(3)
Dalton Schultz
Blake Jarwin
Geoff Swaim
Who replaces future Hall of Famer Jason Witten? What did Rico Gathers exactly mean when he stated “[making] somebody’s 53 man roster”? Who do the coaches want more as the starter, Swaim or Jarwin? Many questions surround the tight ends, and it is going to be an answer the Cowboys have not needed to address in the past fifteen years. The darkhorse for this group, and potentially to be the number one come opening week, is newly acquired Dalton Schultz out of Stanford. As Swaim was the one to run out with the first team at the start of OTAs, Jarwin has been noted to be the player they want to put their stock in. Schultz tape details a good blocker who runs routes pretty well, but his strength will be his biggest test to overcome in an offense that relies heavily on a successful zone-running game. Do not count out Gathers as well. He has the best playmaking ability out of the four, but it will just come down to how much does he want it.
Offensive Line(8)
Tyron Smith
Connor Williams
Travis Frederick
Zack Martin
La’El Collins
Chaz Green
Cameron Fleming
Marcus Martin
Not much change, but much excitement. Since former Cowboy LG Ronald Leary left to the Denver Broncos, the Cowboys took on an approach to just make it work. Whether it be Jonathan Cooper, who provided valuable minutes, or Chaz Green filling into multiple positions, Dallas just went with what they could. After seeing the issues presented when Tyron Smith went down last year, and Cooper leaving to the Bay to Shanahan’s offense, left guard became a necessity in the draft. That is when the perfect pick of Connor Williams slid down to the Cowboys in the second round. Allowing only one sack in three seasons, he will quickly complete a wall of what is nearly impenetrable already.
As was the case on Tuesday, Zack Martin was out so Chaz Green was the first-team RG. Rookie Connor Williams has started his lock-down of the LG job. '52 looks good!' O-line coach Paul Alexander says. pic.twitter.com/ckSCTb2JNA
— fishsports (@fishsports) May 23, 2018
Then to address the lack of depth, Byron Bell’s time in Dallas is of no more, as the signings of swing tackle Cameron Fleming and swing guard Marcus Martin could replace Joe Looney as well.
