National media is getting the Cowboys' biggest weakness all wrong ahead of 2024 NFL season
The Dallas Cowboys' running game will look different during the 2024 NFL season for multiple reasons. After mediocre results last year, a change to the offensive scheme should be expected. I'm not talking about an overhaul or anything like that but the Cowboys need to freshen things up a little bit, specially if they start […]
The Dallas Cowboys' running game will look different during the 2024 NFL season for multiple reasons.
After mediocre results last year, a change to the offensive scheme should be expected. I'm not talking about an overhaul or anything like that but the Cowboys need to freshen things up a little bit, specially if they start Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe on the offensive line right from the get go, two rookies that could benefit from using more gap scheme plays over running inside zone repeatedly.
But mostly, the change in the running game will come because of personnel. With Tony Pollard now playing for the Tennessee Titans, the Cowboys RB room is considered to be one of the weakest in the entire league. However, many are getting a key aspect of the team's roster all wrong: Running back is not the biggest roster hole on the team.
This notion has been shared by many, including NFL.com's Kevin Patra, who recently listed the "ten biggest remaining roster holes" around the league. In his list, the Cowboys' running back room was included with the following breakdown:
Let's start our countdown with one to argue about. This feels like a true test of the theory that running backs are interchangeable. After years of disparaging Dallas for paying the going rate for RBs in a dwindling market, can we scoff at the Cowboys for going cheap at the position, given the other rising costs on the roster?
The glaring issue is that there isn't a low-cost rookie option to lean on. Ezekiel Elliott played fine last season in New England but averaged a career-low 3.5 yards per attempt. He no longer owns the every-down juice. Entering his ninth NFL campaign, Zeke's best attribute at this stage is his pass protection, which is great because the Cowboys figure to pass a lot. Rico Dowdle is a fine complement, but can he sustain with a larger load?
Deuce Vaughn got little run as a rookie last year, and the Cowboys are cross-training him at slot receiver. Running a committee is an acceptable plan, but adding another quality body or two, perhaps after roster cuts, feels needed.
Patra isn't wrong in his evaluation of the room: I'd expect Rico Dowdle to spearhead the running back by committee strategy with Ezekiel Elliott earning a role on par – if not behind – with him. But durability questions are a legit concern as Dowdle has dealt with multiple injuries during his still short career.
Deuce Vaughn remains a question mark and he'll compete with Malik Davis and Royce Freeman among others for one of the last spots on the 53-man roster.
However, I'd expect the Cowboys offense to be just fine. Positional value makes this less of a concern and as long as the offensive line up front is doing a better job than Dallas' did last year run blocking, Zeke and Rico should be productive as defenses fear the passing game while bracketing the offense's first-team All-Pro target, CeeDee Lamb. Losing Tyron Smith will particularly hurt in the passing game but there's an argument to be made that Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe will be a better run duo at left tackle / Center than Tyron and Tyler Biadasz.
The Cowboys' running woes had a lot of causes in 2023, but blocking and scheme were at the top, not running back talent. Elliott and Dowdle isn't exactly inspiring and it's absolutely one of the team's top needs, but I wouldn't list is as the biggest roster hole in Dallas, let alone a Top 10 worst unit in the entire league.
If not RB, what is the Cowboys' biggest roster hole?
Easy: Defensive tackle.
The Cowboys have no proven starting nose tackle and the depth is inexperienced at best and bad at worst. Behind Mazi Smith, whom the Cowboys are betting on big time, Mike Zimmer will have seventh-round rookie Justin Rogers and career backup Carl Davis.
Osa Odighizuwa makes things better at three-technique but the Cowboys are missing bigger bodies, with every potential three-tech weighing below 290 pounds.
If there's one position I see the Cowboys potentially adding talent to in what's left of the offseason, it'd be defensive tackle.
