The Dallas Cowboys endured a rough start to the Mike McCarthy era to become a powerhouse in the NFC with back-to-back 12-win campaigns. Unfortunately, it's only produced one playoff win.

That made this offseason an important one for the Cowboys as they long for consistent postseason success for the first time since the 1990s. Dallas did a great job of retaining in-house contributors, especially safety Donovan Wilson and linebacker Leighton Vander Esch.

Unlike years past, the Cowboys decided to put their feet in the trade pool also and added much-needed veteran leadership and instant impact. It's a big reason why Pro Football Focus gave Dallas a B- grade for their offseason maneuvering. 

The biggest moves the Cowboys have made were trades for wide receiver Brandin Cooks and cornerback Stephon Gilmore. Both players showed in 2022 that they are still capable of high-level play, and each will have less responsibility to be the best player on their respective units given Dallas' talented roster.

Gilmore was one of the better cornerbacks in the NFL last season despite it being his 11th year. He only allowed a completion percentage of 56.2, 6.5 yards per target, and 11.5 yards per catch which were lower rates than Jalen Ramsey had in 2022, and he gives the Cowboys another lockdown cornerback to go with Trevon Diggs.

Cooks still has the speed and versatility to stretch defenses in a multitude of ways. Bringing him on board will free up a healthy Michael Gallup on the outside and let CeeDee Lamb play more in the slot where he does his most damage, and the Cowboys have him for the next two seasons which is huge.

The Cowboys' draft was solid, if unspectacular. Mazi Smith should provide some much-needed strength on the interior of their defensive line — a weakness for years now. He finished 2022 with 27 run stops, the sixth most in the draft class at his position. Second-round pick Luke Schoonmaker should also contribute plenty at tight end early in his career.

Smith combined with veteran Johnathan Hankins gives the Cowboys multiple space-eaters in the middle, plus the former has upside as a pass rusher. Schoonmaker can block and find open spots in the zone as a pass catcher and will be a nice complement to Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot when the Cowboys run 12 personnel. Also, he can line up in the slot or on the outside. 

Dallas should get significant contributions from linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and his versatile skill set as well as running back Deuce Vaughn with his speed and elusiveness. 

If all these things can happen simultaneously, the Cowboys will be in the thick of things in the NFC.