Dallas Cowboys Depth Chart 2018 Cowboys Depth Chart

Preseason Analysis: Back at Full Strength – The Dallas Cowboys Are Loaded in 2018

One of the biggest offseason stories was Dez Bryant heading out of Dallas, leaving a big hole to fill. Dallas went out and drafted Michael Gallup out of Colorado State, who has plenty of NFL potential and will get a chance to step into a lead role. With Brice Butler and Bryant out of the picture, Dallas turned to landing Allen Hurns as well. Already having Terrence Williams, this is a thin position for Dallas heading into 2018, especially losing their Hall of Fame tight end, Jason Witten, to retirement. Dallas addressed the tight end position in the draft, oddly before Witten’s retirement, landing Dalton Schultz. Whether it is Rico Gathers or Schultz starting, there is likely not going to be position of excitement for 2018. As Ezekiel Elliot looks to return for a full season, the likeliness of Dallas leaning on him will be very high. As far as the depth behind Elliot, Dallas added to it in the draft. Bo Scarbrough out of Alabama was grabbed with the 236th pick overall, and was a bruiser in college. While he has some talent, Elliot will be the lead dog, while Rod Smith will work a few passing downs but not enough.

2017 was a season complicated by the unknown. For the better part of the first half of the schedule, Dallas didn't know from one week to the next if one of their top weapons would be available. The tribulations of Ezekiel Elliott had to wear mentally on the Cowboy squad. As they turn the corner into a new season, the Cowboys are back to full strength and loaded with talent.

NFC East Competition or Lack Thereof

Sure, it's going to be hard to argue that the Philadelphia Eagles aren't a prominent team in the NFC East. As defending Super Bowl Champions, they return a very talented team. However, there is also the notorious "Post Super Bowl Hangover". Since 2000, seven Super Bowl winners have failed even reach .500 the following season. From 2006 to 2013 every defending champ either missed the playoffs altogether, or lost in the first round. Recall that Philadelphia was 7-9 prior to their championship season. Maybe the Eagles shouldn't be viewed as highly as many experts have them.

Then, both the New York Giants and Washington Redskins are obviously in rebuilding mode. The G-men have a new coaching scheme to absorb, and the Redskins are fighting off perennial ineptitude. Washington will begin 2018 with a new quarterback under center. The Dallas Cowboys return a core unit that was a strong Super Bowl favorite the last two seasons. With suspect competition in the division, the odds of a successful 2018 playoff appearance are excellent.

Offense at Full Strength

The Cowboy brass may have downplayed the looming and eventual suspension of star running back Ezekiel Elliott, but it affected their game preparation. Zeke will be back with a chip on his shoulder in 2018, so look for Dallas's power control game to be dominant. Starting quarterback Dak Prescott struggled to overcome the sophomore jinx in 2017. His numbers lagged in all the good categories, and ballooned in the bad ones. However, he set such a high bar in his rookie season, even a regression in productivity still ranked him as an excellent quarterback.

The whole offense suffered from the lack of healthy production from All-Pro offensive tackle Tyron Smith. Smith is at full strength heading into 2018, which must delight both Prescott and Elliott. Dallas has their entire offensive line back to full health. In addition, they added highly-prized guard Connor Williams out of Texas. The Cowboys also turned the corner from their love affair with vocal wide receiver Dez Bryant. Bryant had his own issues staying on the field. After 15 storied seasons, another familiar pass target in the Cowboy offense will be absent with the retirement of Jason Witten. Dallas will enter the season with three rookies and three second year players vying for pass routes. Look for talented third round draft pick Michael Gallup to surface as a Prescott favorite target. In the fourth round, Dallas selected a formidable replacement for Witten in Stanford grad, Dalton Schultz. The offense will also welcome former LA Ram's speedster Tavon Austin to camp. Austin is proposed as a versatile web-back, and could prove a sleeper addition to the Cowboy offense. One thing for certain, the offense in Big D will start the season at full strength.

Big D in Big D?

Injuries befuddled the Dallas defense in 2017 as well. The secondary was young, and the front line didn't show much cohesiveness. However, defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli has a way of developing that cohesiveness. Marinelli has mastered a Super Bowl Champion defense, and is regularly the leader of one of the best statistical units in the league. Demarcus Lawrence is a fantastic pillar to build any defensive strategy. Oppositions either focus a double team on Lawrence, or usually pay the consequences. With a cast of young and hungry players, there is the promise of a Big D in Big D. Penn State's Sean Lee, albeit an injury risk will start 2018 in maybe the best physical health of his 9-year career. The Cowboys also resigned David Irving from Sarasota, Florida and Kony Ealy to help add depth at defensive end. Second year nose tackle Antwaun Woods comes over from Tennessee and is viewed as the prototypical center piece to the defensive line.

Jaylon Smith is primed to be a force strong-side linebacker and Dallas used their first pick in last year's draft to add another Boise State player on defense. Rookie Leighton Vander Esch has the speed and size to make an immediate impact on the Dallas defense. Dallas worked the off season to add talent and depth at their most suspect positions. The battle for pass routes in camp will be intense. Defensive players will have to fight for playing time as well. A couple things are basically guarantees though. Dak Prescott will confound defenses with his multiple talents, and the Cowboys will attempt to ram the ball down their opponent's throat, by pounding Zeke Elliott into the line over and over again. If ball control proves to be as important as it historically is in the NFL, look for the Dallas Cowboys to be in control of their 2018 destiny.