Training camp is around the corner and NFL head coaches begin the process of building a championship team. Cowboys fans enter every season with high expectations. They want a roster with the talent to compete for a Super Bowl. This years roster may still be under construction as training camp will tell us more. The Cowboys offense returns a handful of key weapons and sprinkles in some new faces to round out the system. However, Dallas fans should be extremely optimistic entering 2022, as this offense showcases a handful of question marks and similarities to a struggling offense of the past, Moore was the quarterbacks coach at the time, but that 2018 roster has to be in the back of his mind. This 2022 roster, especially the offensive side, could run into a handful of issues this season.
Ride Or Die With The Run Game
The Cowboys enter 2022 with Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard running the backfield, a combination that has demonstrated game-changing capabilities. The pair combined for 2,345 scrimmage-yards and 14 touchdowns last season. Dallas spent its first round pick on Tyler Smith to shore up the offensive line. The Tulsa product has shown excellent run-blocking skills and athleticism on the field. This mentality is healthy for a football team, as the running game plays a vital role in the success of an offense.
Elliott however has trended downwards over his last few seasons and enters this year in potentially his final season in Dallas. Last year, Elliott failed to top the 100-yard mark after week five, with four of those games resulting in under 10 carries. The passing game finished in the top-three of several categories last season, but some of those names are gone. If the passing game struggles to move the ball, Elliott and Pollard would be asked to step in. Elliott is not the same back fans have seen in the past, which could lead to a stagnant offense.
Life Before Amari Cooper
The Cowboys always feature an elite wide-receiver and true number-one on the roster. Amari Cooper served this role for three-and-a-half seasons after the departure of Dez Bryant. Cooper, however. was acquired following the Cowboys week eight bye in 2018. At the time, Dallas was 3-and-4 and had thrown for more than 200 yards only twice. This was largely in part to an underwhelming wide receiver group with no true number-one receiver. Cole Beasley and Elliott led the team in targets that season. Cooper finished third, second among wideouts despite playing just nine games.. Dallas experimented with a rookie Michael Gallup and fifth-year pro Allen Hurns, only to acquire Cooper for help at the half-way point.
Cooper and Cedric Wilson caught 113 passes combined last year and both are playing in the AFC this season. Dallas has labeled CeeDee Lamb as its number-one option. Lamb has racked up 2,000 yards and 11 touchdowns on 153 catches thus far. Tight end Dalton Schultz established himself as a threat, but there’s question marks following those two. Gallup returns from an ACL tear and may be unavailable for week one action. James Washington arrives after four years with the Steelers, but has never caught more than 45 passes in a season. Dallas also spent a third-round pick on Jalen Tolbert out of South Alabama to join the rotation. Lamb is more than capable for the job, but the depth could be a huge factor in this teams success. There is something to be said when three receivers are questionable in July. If Lamb is locked up and other receivers struggle to create space, the Cowboys could be in for a long year.
What’s The Solution?
If things go well, Lamb is a top-5 wideout and the Cowboys roll into the playoffs and go hunt the Lombardi. Elliott could find some magic of the past and handle the rushing responsibilities that comes with an 18.2-million-dollar cap hit. A healthy Gallup could line up as the number-two option and take pressure off Lamb. If the coaching staff felt it was necessary, a talented line of wide-receivers are still on the market to provide some help and depth.
Cowboys fans are expecting an offense that produces points and wins games on a weekly basis. The fan base is eager for a Super Bowl run and the NFC East improved this off-season. The Cowboys offense needs to be clicking on all cylinders early and Moore needs to maximize the potential this offensive roster has. The first half of 2018 was a struggle for Cowboys fans without the wide-receivers that garnered the necessary attention. Let’s hope this group of pass-catchers rises to the task.