The most ridiculous Dallas Cowboys take of the offseason just dropped, and it makes zero sense
The Dallas Cowboys’ playmakers are known as one of the best in the NFL. But in the latest national media rankings, their spot is a major surprise. Not because of their spot, but because of who’s ahead.
There is little to no question the Dallas Cowboys offense has one of the best groups of playmakers in the NFL. Heck, you can pause right after listing CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, who established themselves as one of the very best wide receiver duos in the game last year.
So you can understand my surprise when I saw the Cowboys rank seventh in the latest ESPN rankings of best offensive playmaker groups. Not because I think seventh is a terrible spot on the list, but because of who is ranked ahead.
ESPN lists Cowboys below… who?
According to ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, the Detroit Lions have the top group of playmakers in the league. Hey, I don’t hate that. Jahmyr Gibbs is one of the most explosive running backs in the game, Amon-Ra St. Brown is one scary dude, and Jameson Williams and Sam LaPorta sure take the unit to the next level.
I feel a similar way about the Puka Nacua and Davante Adams-led Los Angeles Rams. The Ja’Marr Chase Cincinnati Bengals are neat, too. The Atlanta Falcons seem a bit too high at four, but okay, I’ll bite because Bijan Robinson is top tier. And the San Francisco 49ers? Tough to argue against them.
But at number six, one spot ahead of the Cowboys are… The Arizona Cardinals.
Come on now. In what world can you rank wide receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson ahead of Lamb and Pickens? Sure, running back Jeremiyah Love is an exciting rookie but… he has yet to play a down of NFL football.
Now, I’ll give you this: Tight end Trey McBride is one of the best in the game. So yes, I can see why the Cardinals should rank higher than the average NFL fan may expect. But better than the proven Cowboys?
Here’s the thing. This is what Barnwell writes about the Cardinals:
“There’s a scenario in which Love and Harrison live up to expectations, Wilson is able to sustain the sort of form he showed without Harrison on the field all season and the Cardinals have a legitimate case for No. 1 in these rankings next year,” Barnwell writes. “But it also feels like the only true sure thing they have is McBride.”
That last part is important. With the Cowboys, there’s not a lot of imagining you need to do.
Lamb and Pickens terrify defensive coordinators around the league because they’re two No. 1 receivers on the same offense, each fulfilling very different roles. And that’s a true sure thing.
Additionally, Javonte Williams was one of the most efficient running backs in the NFL last year. And while it was a down year for Jake Ferguson, he remained a big red zone threat, ranking third among tight ends in touchdown catches (8).
Barnwell does a great job breaking down analytics and film and by no means do I want to come off as a hater. But this take in particular caught my eye because truth be told, it feels a little disrespectful to a Cowboys offense that was Top 5 in EPA/play largely because of its playmakers.
The Cardinals’ playmakers may be great if Harrison lives up to the hype, if Love hits the ground running, and if Wilson can produce as a WR2. That’s too many ifs if we’re comparing them to Pickens, Lamb, and company.