The Dallas Cowboys offense under new head coach/play-caller Brian Schottenheimer will look different in 2025.
Partly due to scheme and identity, but also player-wise.
With the Dallas offense last season being CeeDee Lamb or bust, Dak Prescott and then Cooper Rush struggled to move the ball if No. 88 was taken away.
So, a running mate is needed.
Then there's running back. Ashton Jeanty is the flashy pick to lead the room behind Dak, but there's a world in which he doesn't make it to No. 12 (Dallas' pick), and with Rico Dowdle a free agent, that is another position that needs attention.
With the scouting combine wrapping up, ESPN's Dan Granziano has compiled all the rumors and whispers he's heard in Indianapolis and put them to paper, and the Cowboys' needs are as expected.
"The Cowboys will be in the market for a No. 2 receiver behind CeeDee Lamb," Graziano writes. "They have some hope that Jonathan Mingo, their trade-deadline acquisition from Carolina, can evolve into that, but obviously it's too soon to know and they will be in the market to add at that position. They could end up being a Cooper Kupp suitor if his price drops far enough. Dallas also will look to add a dynamic player at running back to pair with Rico Dowdle, who finished the season strong for them."
Mingo is the punchline of most jokes right now, with the Washington Commanders giving up a fifth-round pick for Deebo Samuel. Many make the correlation to Dallas' fourth-round pick for Mingo. Let's not forget that the reason for "only" a fifth for Deebo is his salary in 2025 (reportedly $17.5 million).
Cooper Kupp is an interesting option, but we are fairly confident the Cowboys won't be paying his $20 million salary if he is part of a trade. So unless that number is cut on half, Dallas likely won't be suitors.
That brings us to the running back spot. The draft is deep at the position, and Jeanty, along with Omarion Hampton, are the top two prospects. But there is free agency with Nick Chubb, Aaron Jones, and Najee Harris all available.
There are plenty of needs, and the Cowboys, if they choose, will have the cap space to fill each one.
Time to start ticking those items off your list, Dallas.
