Between now and the end of August, TGS will offer up a quick snapshot of every NFL team heading into the 2016 regular season. Today, the Dallas Cowboys.
2015 in a nutshell: Injuries to Pro Bowlers Tony Romo and Dez Bryant derail what was supposed to be a Super Bowl-caliber season as Dallas finishes with its worst record since 1989, going 4-12.
Why 2016 could be different: Romo and Bryant could stay healthy, and top pick Ezekiel Elliott could give the offense the shot in the arm it received from DeMarco Murray two years ago.
Major additions: Elliott and a healthy Romo are the key. They also signed running back Alfred Morris.
Major losses: Troubled pass-rusher Greg Hardy is gone, while talented front-seven defenders Rolando McClain and DeMarcus Lawrence will be suspended for 10 games and four games, respectively.
Breakout watch: This is a veteran team, but the Cowboys will still have to count on improved seasons from young defenders David Irving, Tyrone Crawford, Anthony Hitchens and Byron Jones. Jones, though, is the key. The 2015 first-round pick was stellar as a safety and a corner last season and has the ability to become a star very quickly.
Position to watch: The defensive line hasn’t been stable in several years, and now they’re hoping that Irving (an undrafted rookie from 2015), Crawford (eight sacks in three NFL seasons) and free-agent additions Cedric Thornton (four sacks in four NFL seasons) and Benson Mayowa (two sacks in three NFL seasons) can solidify things. Quite the gamble, but they don’t have much of a choice considering the losses they’ve suffered up front.
Prediction: If they remain healthy, they’ll be the best team in the NFC East. I think that can happen, which is why I’m giving them the division title and am willing to predict that they win a playoff game or two. But the NFC East is always so damn hard to get a read on.
