Opinion: Dallas Cowboys most complete positional group might surprise fans

Page 2 – Is the Cowboys’ most complete positional group on offense?

Let’s start with the offense. At quarterback, Dak Prescott is one of the top passers in the NFL and the best player under center in the NFC East. But his backups are questionable and I’m not sure anyone believes either Cooper Rush or Will Grier (both currently on the practice squad) could step into Dak’s shoes if needed and win more than a game or two without a spectacular performance from the defense. To be honest, there aren’t many backup passers in the NFL who could.

At running back, the combo of Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard is one of the better one-two punches in the NFL. But Zeke’s steadily declining rushing yards per game average and bloated salary sink this group’s potential as the team’s top positional group in my eyes. But if Elliott has a bounce back season, the depth at this position is solid with Rico Dowdle and Malik Davis waiting in the wings and both performing well this summer.

As one of the most controversial parts of the roster in Dallas this season, the wide receiver corps might be a better candidate for the team’s worst overall positional groups. Although that might need to be revisited once Michael Gallup returns to the field from injury and rookies like Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin, and Dennis Houston have had a chance to establish themselves.

The offensive line falls under that same category. The loss of All-Pro left tackle Tyron Smith has this unit hitting near rock bottom. Right guard Zack Martin is still the stalwart of the O-line in Dallas and might be the team’s best overall player. But there are major question marks and concerns surrounding every other starting position along the line outside of Martin.

Ironically, the tight end position might be one of the top three positional groups on the entire roster in Dallas. Although that’s just a projection based mostly on potential. Blake Jarwin should be Prescott’s top passing target outside of wideout CeeDee Lamb this season. And rookies Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot were both so impressive in the preseason that Dallas might believe they already have instant replacements for Jarwin if he decides to jet as a free agent in 2023.