The Dallas Cowboys house one of the best offensive units in the NFL. Although often criticized for shrinking in big moments, including owning just one playoff win over three straight 12-win seasons, Dallas and quarterback Dak Prescott have posted monster numbers during the Mike McCarthy era. Outside his inaugural season in 2020, the Cowboys have led the NFL in scoring per game twice, including registering a league-best 29.9 points per game in 2023. The NFC East club scored at least 30 points in more than half of their regular season games despite ranking 20th in rushing yards per attempt.
The high-powered Dallas offense of 2023, powered by Prescott, led the league in passing touchdowns but struggled with Tony Pollard leading the way in the backfield. Pollard, a former fourth-round pick and Pro-Bowler took over the alpha role in the running back room with the departure of longtime star Ezekiel Elliot but labored with the added volume. Pollard finished the season averaging a career-worst 4.0 yards per rush attempt and now plays for the Tennessee Titans, leaving Dallas short-handed at that position heading into next fall. However, after much talk about adding a running back via the draft, the Cowboys went without drafting a potential Pollard successor, leaving fans of the NFC East club distraught.
The Dallas Cowboys owned the best statistical offense in football last year despite the absence of an elite rushing attack. With the previous year’s lead back Tony Pollard out in Dallas, Cowboys fans turned their attention to the 2024 NFL draft for his replacement. After Thursday’s first-round concluded, owner Jerry Jones made headlines for his praise regarding Texas football product and top-ranked running back Jonathon Brooks. Jones said in an interview, “In 30 years, I thought it was the best interview I’ve ever had with a player….We got him high, high, high (on our board).
Cowboys drafted Mazi Smith last season to help shore up their defensive line but the rookie struggled and sparsely saw the field and in the offseason top defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins left in free agency to play for the Seattle Seahawks. Rogers could be a useful run-stuffer for the Cowboys.
Leave a Reply