Squad, Draft and goals for the season

To dawn of the 2022 season, We Sport looks back on the situation of the 32 NFL franchises. Today, zoom on the Dallas Cowboys, alone in the world in their division ?

The balance sheet of Dallas Cowboys last season

After two seasons of vegetating in the middle of the NFC East, far from the playoffs, the Cowboys were violent. For his second year on the bench, Mike McCarthy defeated the Indian sign by bringing the Texans back to postseason with the third-best record in the NFC. Best attack in the league thanks in particular to a particularly efficient aerial game, Dallas has reaffirmed itself as a stronghold of its conference by showing itself to be complete on both sides of the field. An encouraging season therefore, spoiled by an early elimination in the playoffs against the 49ers. Happy season with a tragic end, a constant in the recent history of the franchise.

[12-5]NFC East winners, eliminated in Wild Cards by the San Francisco 49ers

The movements of the off-season

Rather calm offseason on the Dallas side, with nevertheless an important game of musical chairs among the receivers. Arrived with great fanfare from Oakland in 2018, Amari Cooper was transferred to Cleveland after losing his No. 1 status to CeeDee Lamb. To compensate for this departure, as well as that of Cedrick Wilson Jr., the Cowboys played on all fronts: extension (Gallup), free agency (Washington) and draft (Tolbert). What to densify a group which also preserves the tight-end Dalton Schultz.

The Cowboys have also suffered two major losses on the offensive line with the departures of La’el Collins and Connor Williams, partially offset by the draft of Tyler Smith in the first round. Dallas also had several starts on the other side of the ball, on all lines, starts to which the franchise responded with only a few bets in the free agent market (Barr, Fowler).

Major arrivals: LB Anthony Barr (Viking), OF Dante Fowler (Falcons), WR James Washington (Steelers)

Notable departures: OL La’el Collins (Bengals), WR amari cooper (Raiders), OF Randy Gregory (Broncos) S Damontae Kazee (Steelers), OG connor williams (dolphins)

Extensions: WR Michael Gallup, OF ByMarcus Lawrence, YOU Dalton Schultz (franchise tag)

Draft*: TO Tyler Smith (Tulsa) OLB sam williams (Ole Miss), WR Jalen Tolbert (South Alabama)

* Only the players selected during the first two days are mentioned.

The number of Dallas Cowboys 2022/2023

On paper, Dallas has one of the most complete rosters in the National Conference. Around Dak Prescott, the group of targets, led by CeeDee Lamb, did not necessarily suffer from the departure of Amari Cooper, while the Elliott/Pollard duo still seems capable of garnering yards on the ground. The real question mark is on the offensive line, where Tyron Smith and Zack Martin are still there but will hope not to be hampered by physical issues.

In defense, the Cowboys can rely on a leader per line: DeMarcus Lawrence on the defensive line, Micah Parsons at linebackers and Trevon Diggs at cornerbacks. The rest of the defense will depend on the progress of some of its members, as well as the performance of the three players mentioned above.

Dallas Cowboys : Ambitions and ranking

After a successful 2021 exercise in the regular season but disappointing in the playoffs, Dallas will be keen to do better this season. If the offensive line, usual strong point, seems to have weakened, Dak Prescott and his partners have ample means to dominate their division once again to correct the situation in the games at stake. Favorites to their own estate in the NFC Eastthe Cowboys know that they will be judged on their results in the playoffs, where too early an elimination would be another failure for a franchise that dreams of finding, at the very least, conference finals that it has not known for years. 90, when Barry Switzer held the position of head coach.

Player to watch: Micah Parsons

He was one of the revelations and one of the best defenders in the league in 2021 and he will have to confirm. Defensive Rookie of the Year and runner-up for the Defensive Player of the Year, Micah Parsons asserted himself upon his arrival in the league, establishing himself, moreover, as the leader of the defense of the Cowboys. The effect of surprise dissipated, the former university star will be expected and will have to maintain the rhythm to guide a defense which relies largely on his performance.

The calendar of Dallas Cowboys in 2022

Feature image credit: USA TODAY Sports

Louis Rousseau

The words « Minnesota Miracle » and « No-Call » are scratched from my vocabulary. My heart mourns the retirement of Drew Brees as my eyes finally widen watching the Knicks.