NFL training camp is nearing and the Dallas Cowboys lack depth and production in a few positions. Most teams in the league are battling the same issue, but for a Cowboys team that is striving for another double-digit win season, these holes could be lethal.
What's left of the free agent pool is the only way to improve these spots. If Dallas wants to battle for the NFC East crown and make a run in the postseason, some positions are going to need more attention than others. With that, let's dive into three positions that are hindering the team the most before camp.
3. Cornerback
Now you might be thinking: How can cornerback be a concern when ball-hawks Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland are patrolling the secondary. Well, since we are talking about depth, the position is absolutely a concern.
Diggs and Bland have had great seasons individually in their time with Dallas. Still, after Diggs' season-ending injury last September, the two have yet to play a full season side by side. If you look at it, this duo could be one of the league's best with more time together. Yet, behind this duo and with Jordan Lewis mainly at the nickel position, this cornerback room is thin.
Nashon Wright and Eric Scott Jr. have showed very little and nothing, respectively, over the years. Additionally, 2024 fifth-round pick Caelen Carson's injury history in college can stall his usage early on. Dallas also went out and tried their luck in the UFL talent pool yet again, bringing in former first-round pick Gareon Conley to the practice squad.
Whatever way you look at it, Diggs and Bland are likely to stand out yet again in 2024. However, they cannot be the only corners that defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is comfortable putting on the field. This position will need to be a focal point in training camp.
2. Defensive Tackle
The Cowboys have had some dominant defensive tackle groups in their history. However, it has been quite some time since the team was stout at this position. In 2024, the team looks further from the "DT glory days" than ever before.
Dallas lost valuable depth this offseason behind Osa Odighizuwa and Mazi Smith as Neville Gallimore and Jonathan Hankins signed with new teams. Odighizuwa has carved out a solid career so far, but Smith is in a prove-it year after a lost rookie campaign. The team's suspect backups are stirring up worry going into training camp.
Currently, 2021 third-round pick Chauncey Golston and vet Carl Davis Jr. make up the third and fourth spots on the depth chart, but so far they have had limited impact in Dallas. In an NFL Draft that was loaded at the position, Dallas did not look at bolstering this spot.
Zimmer has prioritized stopping the run throughout his coaching career, especially when he was first in Dallas. But with this poor position, it could be difficult for him to muster heavy production from this group.
Plain and simple, the Cowboys might have a repeat year of a poor rushing defense unless this group heavily improves or more pieces are brought in.
1. Running Back
Perhaps the biggest question mark on this roster, the running back position, will be unfairly blamed if Dallas has a poor season. Ezekiel Elliot returned to Dallas for essentially the vet minimum after one year in New England and was rightfully welcomed back with open arms. While this was a step in the right direction, it isn't enough to fill the void left by Tony Pollard.
Rico Dowdle seems like he will be battling Elliott the most for touches, but Dowdle likely would not be an RB1 if he was on any other team. His ability to miss tackles and sprinkle of quickness could surprise many, but it is still too uncertain to depend on him.
As for guys like Deuce Vaughn and Royce Freeman, they will not be factors. Vaughn has taken reps at wide receiver during practices and might make the switch to the position full-time. Freeman, on the other hand, has just 10 rushing touchdowns in his six NFL seasons.
Mike McCarthy has always preached the importance of a run game. But, with a 30-year-old Elliott and a handful of low upside-runners, the ground game could struggle next season. As a result, the offense's success will fall on Dak Prescott's shoulders once again, which is not ideal.
To make matters worse, Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz are no longer in Dallas, putting more pressure on the young linemen for protection.
On a brighter note, the 2025 class of running backs will be one of the best in decades. The Cowboys could look to improve this position then. This might be the only way the Cowboys get the running game back on track, but McCarthy might not even be here to see it come to fruition.
