Cowboys' 2025 outlook already has fans worried about what’s coming

It's the middle of July, and the Dallas Cowboys have been dominating headlines all offseason. Between the disappointing 2024 season, the retirement of team legends, the George Pickens trade, and Micah Parsons' contract dispute, the team has been at the forefront of analysts' minds. With repetitiveness becoming annoying, networks looked to take another jab at America's team.

Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report just released his NFL power rankings ahead of the 2025 season. The Cowboys checked in at No. 17. Let's dive into the analysis and determine whether this is a fair ranking.

Concerns about Dak Prescott's health

Much of the criticism is pointed at the health of quarterback Dak Prescott. It's understandable considering the impact the position has on the team's overall success, and Dak's injury troubles since 2020, but the same can be said about other teams ranked higher.

The Minnesota Vikings (14th) have a quarterback battle between J.J. McCarthy, the 2024 first-rounder who's rookie season was missed due to a torn meniscus, and Sam Howell, who started one season, finished with 21 passing touchdowns and 21 interceptions.

The Pittsburgh Steelers (13th) are relying on a 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers coming off a solid season with the New York Jets, despite the circumstances, and certainly a shell of himself. Or Mason Rudolph, returning to the team after spending five years as a failed developmental project with the team before a disappointing 2024 season with the Tennessee Titans.

It was only two seasons ago that Prescott finished second in MVP voting, behind Lamar Jackson. He isn't the most consistent quarterback, or the most successful in the playoffs, but neither are most. He has more playoff wins than either of the Vikings' quarterbacks, Denver's Bo Nix, the Chargers' Justin Herbert, and Green Bay's Jordan Love.

Trading for George Pickens was risky

Dallas needed a WR2, and they acquired the best one available. George Pickens the player and George Pickens the person are two different topics, but when taking a look at the combined product, yes, it is a risky move. Kristopher Knox noted it was a "major risk" and "how the team went about it was wrong."

The young wideout has struggled thus far with mental mistakes dating back to his time as a Georgia Bulldog. From fights to public portrayals of being upset with his team, Pickens as a person could be a challenge, but that's also why someone as talented and young as him was available.

At 24 years old, boasting the speed, frame, and strength to succeed as a reliable receiver in the NFL, the potential is sky high. Fielding a low-end WR1 as a secondary option gives the wideout opportunities against lesser talent and less pressure.

Trading essentially a third-round pick for a player that could fall out is risky, but it's probably one worth taking. Not only is there value added in acquiring the talent, but also in the impact it has on the rest of the roster. Dak gets a big-play option, CeeDee Lamb might get some more space, and the rest of the receiving corps can be utilized more efficiently.

In the end, trading for a talented wideout (despite the possible fallout) should not be a negative point for a team. At the very least, the trade should not impact the team's ranking at all, but should not be held against them. If all goes well, it may be what puts the offense over the top.

"Built to stay relevant and not one built to challenge for a championship."

The Cowboys are not contenders for the Super Bowl in 2025; that should not be a surprise. They should compete for a playoff spot, but they won't be much of a playoff threat. According to Davenport, Dallas should not be in the playoffs.

Wild Card spots are taken by the Washington Commanders, Green Bay Packers, and Minnesota Vikings, with the San Francisco 49ers occupying the runner-up spot. That seems like it's around the right spot, with health and the high potential of the players on the roster fluctuating how much better or worse they are.

Have the Cowboys really fallen this far? Being in the bottom half of the NFL after being playoff-bound three of the past four seasons seems a little rough, but the retooling of the team from the aging core of the 2010s to the new one was never going to be smooth.

With young talent all along the trenches and within the receiving corps, Dallas' development should result in constant improvement year-over-year.

Owner Jerry Jones loves bringing back his guys, so impact players should continue growing. With superstars on both sides of the ball, the time is ticking for the new core to start making a push for a deeper playoff run, but maybe that's not this year.