It’s impossible to say three months before the season starts whether the Dallas Cowboys will have more success in 2023 than they did in 2022. After all, the conference’s biggest rivalry can easily be said to play in their own division, and as with those of us Those who have watched the Cowboys for decades need not be reminded – the Cowboys haven’t advanced more than they did in 2022 in 27 years. The odds are against them to improve that ending.
After acknowledging that — if one were to measure the Cowboys personnel this upcoming season against the 2022 Cowboys, position by position — they would have a very difficult time identifying areas in which the team failed to improve off the season. Indeed, the composition of the current Cowboys roster is – as of the first day of June – objectively better than better The releases they were able to participate in at various times throughout 2022.
Every NFL team will find players during a season that exceed their initial expectations, and the Cowboys were no different. If we simply compare the Cowboys roster as of June 1st to the way they started Season 22, we get some unfair comparisons. This is not how we want to play.
Instead, let’s take the best version of what the Cowboys delivered in ’22 at their own spots, including the best second basemen all season, and see if the argument holds.
We discussed this overarching idea in a recent episode of Ryled Up on The Boys podcast. Be sure to subscribe to our network so you don’t miss out on any of our offers! Apple devices can sign up here And Spotify users can sign up here.
quarterback
22′ – Dak Prescott; Cooper Rush
23 – Duck Prescott; Cooper Rush
evaluation: Pay. Not much has changed here. Duck’s career history suggests Prescott’s 2023 edition will be better than 2022. Another year away from the horrific injury he suffered that ended his 2020 season, along with a drop to average in terms of interception percentage – 3.8% IQ Last season is the highest of his career so far, and the first time it has been above 1.8% since his second campaign in 2017 – providing optimism that he will improve in 2023. Objectively speaking, it is almost impossible to say the team is better here from an individuals point of view, even If you had high hopes for the adjustments Brian Schottenheimer would bring to his offensive game plan. The Site Collection is a push heading into 2023.
running back
22 – Tony Pollard, Ezekiel Elliott, Malik Davis
23 – Tony Pollard, Ronald Jones, Deuce Vaughn, Malik Davis
evaluation: better. Let’s face it – last season, the Cowboys took a very long time to give Tony Pollard the respect he deserves, and even when they did, it wasn’t enough. Consider this — Tony Pollard exceeded 15 carries in a game only three times last season in 18 games (despite team averages at 5.2 ppi), and exceeded 18 touchdowns only four times. By comparison, Zeke and his average of 3.8 ppg carried the ball 15 times in 12 of 16 games, and had 18 touches in six games. Simply thanks to the fact that Tony Pollard is determined to absorb the lion’s share of touches, it means this backfield is better on paper than it was last season. A sprinkle by Ronald Jones, a dynamic pass back at Deuce Vaughn, and the assurance of having Malik Davis around, they’re better at the top and deeper as a group.
tight end
22′ – Dalton Schultz, Jake Ferguson, Peyton Hendershot
23 – Luke Schoonmaker, Jake Ferguson, Peyton Hendershot
evaluation: worst. For all his faults, Dalton Schultz was far and away the second best pass-catching weapon the Cowboys have for two consecutive seasons, and that includes a year in which he caught 10 more passes than Amari Cooper. Even in what many consider to be a down year last season, Schultz finished second on the team in goals and receptions — as he did in 2021. They’ll try to replace his production elsewhere, but the list of tight ends who’ve caught more passes than Schultz in the past two seasons consists of Just three names – Travis Kelsey, Mark Andrews, and TJ Hawkinson. Whatever your expectations are for second baseman Luke Schoonmaker, they have to be astronomical to believe he will provide this level of production in his rookie season. There is hope for the future here, but the future is not here yet.
wide future
22 – CeeDee Lamb, Noah Brown, Michael Gallup, TY Hilton, Simi Fehoko
23 – Sir Lamb, Brandyn Cox, Michael Gallup, Simi Fyoko, Galen Tolbert
evaluation: Much better. You’d be forgiven for not realizing that Noah Brown actually had a better season than Michael Gallup (43-555-3 vs. 39-424-4), and that speaks to how bad they were in office last year. He replaced Brown with Cooks, who even last year had 57 receptions for 699 yards in just 13 games played. Given the general consensus it would have likely taken Michael Gallup at least one season to find his legs again after ACL surgery, if he can even come close to finding any of his old image this becomes easily the most improved unit in the squad since general.
offensive line
22 – Tyrone Smith, Tyler Smith, Tyler Biadasz, Zach Martin, Terrence Steele, Jason Peters, Conor McGovern
23 – Tyrone Smith, Tyler Smith, Tyler Biadasz, Zach Martin, Terrence Steele, Asim Richards, Josh Paul
evaluation: better*. They haven’t done much to add to the pool of personnel outside of fifth-ranked Richards, but the offensive line is unique in that continuity can play a major role in personnel and units improving from season to season. You shouldn’t bet on it, but there is a path that is bringing Jason Peters back into the fold on a part-time basis. Even if he doesn’t come back, they’re even better thanks to the development of Tyler Smith and Steele’s “contract year factor.”
* Pending Tyron Smith’s apparent health concerns
defensive end
22′ – DeMarcus Lawrence, Dorrance Armstrong, Sam Williams, Dante Fowler, Chauncey Goulston
23 – DeMarcus Lawrence, Dorrance Armstrong, Sam Williams, Dante Fowler, Chauncey Goulston
evaluation: Pay. I know maybe we can (and maybe He should) include Micah Parsons as part of this list, but for this workout, we’ll keep him with the LBs. No major changes have been made to this unit from a personnel standpoint, as the entire squad is back again and ready to run at 23. Cowboys fans hope Armstrong and Williams continue to develop—Armstrong in particular was the second most sacks on the team with 8.5 and second. most sacks + TFL + QB hits w/ 34.5 (2.5 more sacks and 6.5 more sacks/TFL/QBHits than Lawrence, respectively) — but right now, nothing about it looks better or worse on paper than it does in 2022 .
Defensive tackle
22′ – Jonathan Hankins, Osa Odigizwa, Carlos Watkins, Neville Gallimore
23 – Mazie Smith, Jonathan Hankins, Osa Odigizwa, Neville Gallimore
evaluation: better. The best version of the Cowboys’ inside defensive line didn’t really develop until halfway through the season, thanks in large part to a mid-season trade that brought Hankins on board and immediately showcased him as the best filler defender on the team. Now, they’re adding another elite through the draft, and that gives them options further down the depth chart. They’re better and deeper in this position heading into 2023.
full back
22 – Micah Parsons, Leighton Vander Esch, Anthony Parr, Damon Clarke, Luke Gifford
23 – Micah Parsons, Leighton Vander Esch, Damon Clarke, DeMarvion Overshown, Gabriel Cox
evaluation: better. It’s hard to imagine Micah Parsons continuing to improve in his already historic first two seasons, and LVE is such a good player, but he may have really hit his ceiling. However, they’ve already ramped up their depth with the appearance of Damon Clarke, and like Tony Pollard, his expanded role in ’23 will make fans forget Barr. The addition of DeMarvion Overshown through the draft adds depth in this position.
noon corner
22′ – Trevon Diggs, Daron Bland, Anthony Brown, Jordan Lewis, Nahshon Wright
23 – Trevon Diggs, Stephon Gilmour, Daron Bland, Jordan Lewis, Nachshon Wright
evaluation: better. By the end of the season, Daron Bland had emerged as a legitimate weapon after playing both home and away, making losing this unexpected Browns practically an afterthought. Even still, the Cowboys weren’t satisfied with their cornerback room (no team can ever have enough of a good team) and made the move to bring in Gilmour. Similar to the addition of Brandin Cooks and Mazi Smith, the addition of Gilmore has pushed talented players further down the depth chart, ideally putting them in better positions for success in 2023.
safety
22 – Jaron Kerse, Donovan Wilson, Malik Hooker, Israel Mokwamo
23 – Jaron Kerse, Donovan Wilson, Malik Hooker, Israel Mokwamo
evaluation: Pay. Much like the defensive end group, this was a situation where they just needed to get the squad back together and keep the record high in the position they’ve occupied in 2022. They found some variety in the latter part of the season with Mukuamu playing in the slot, Cowboys fans should be hopeful. Because we see more flexibility in position being used throughout defense in 2023. Fortunately, they don’t need this group to be much better than they were in 2022, because on paper they are no better or worse.
Of the ten place groups we looked at, six are better at the moment than they were at the peak of their powers in 2022, and there are arguments to be made that the other four could be better when the season gets underway. Fans may be upset at the downgrade of the tight final group, but the group combined is very young and inexperienced.
How do you feel about position combinations and how have the Cowboys handled their needs this season? Comment below!