This Roster is Deep in the Trenches

In 2016 the expression “the great wall of Dallas” found new life. Rookie running back Ezekiel Elliot was averaging over 5 YPA behind a massive barricade of humanity. Since then, injuries across the offensive line have left the wall looking more like a fence.

However, after some draft attention, recovery time for players such as Tyron Smith and Travis Frederick, and fortuitous development of defensive pieces; Dallas is looking deep in the trenches.

Offensive Tackle	Defensive Tackle	Guard	Defensive End
Tyron Smith	Maliek Collins	Zack Martin	Demarcus Lawrence
La'el Collins	Tyrone Crawford	Connor Williams	Robert Quinn
Cameron Fleming	Trysten Hill	Connor McGovern	Joe Jackson
*Connor Williams*?	Daniel Ross	Xavier Su'a-Filo	Taco Charlton
	Antwaun Woods		Dorance Armstrong

The Cowboys are in an excellent situation regarding their defensive line, and with the addition of Connor McGovern and a healthy Travis Frederick worries about the OL’s interior strength should subside.

         Dak Prescott has Receivers that Fit his Game

When your franchise quarterback doesn’t excel in throwing receivers open, you have to find a receiver that excels in getting open himself.

Second-year Cowboy Amari Cooper does just that. Averaging just over 4.6 yards of separation per route, Cooper gets open more than virtually everyone in the league. Couple Cooper with free agent acquisition Randall Cobb out of the slot and Prescott has an excellent high-low combination to work with (for more on Cobb’s game click here).

Randall Cobb put the defense on skates for the TD 😮 #GBvsCAR pic.twitter.com/exLABB0zNb

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 17, 2017

Amari Cooper is open always. COWBOYS LEAD!! (via @NFL)#PHIvsDAL #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/Z2aZpTPFsZ

— SportsDay Cowboys (@dmn_cowboys) December 10, 2018

The Element of Surprise

Dallas may have the element of surprise for the first time in years, nobody is quite sure what new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore will change about a traditionally predictable offense. The Cowboys are playing the details close to the vest, but all signs point to change in big D. The front office is excited about what Moore is bringing to the table, and an influx of youth into the coaching staff could prove to be just what the Cowboys needed.

When asked about Moore and his potential impact, Stephen Jones said the following via team writer Rob Phillip:

“That’s certainly the way we’re set up. We have a lot of confidence in Kellen. We also love our staff. It’s a good young staff. I think someone pointed out we’ve got four former quarterbacks on the staff between Jason, (tight ends coach Doug) Nuss(meier), (new quarterbacks coach Jon) Kitna and Kellen. I think that’s a good thing when you’re talking about offensive football.”

Whatever Moore decides to do, he has the depth, versatility, and resources necessary to get the job done. While success in the always difficult NFC is never a guarantee, Cowboys fans have every right to be excited about 2019.