Whether we like it or not, the Dallas Cowboys offense has been one of the best in football over the last three seasons, but that could change in 2024. With the offensive line seeing Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz leave, along with Tony Pollard and Michael Gallup, and no CeeDee Lamb signing in site, things could be interesting when September rolls around.
Yes, as long as a contract with Lamb gets done, the offense will still produce, but outside of him, who is going to scare opposing defenses in 2024?
The Unknown
KaVontae Turpin, Jalen Tolbert, and Jalen Brooks; these three players are going to be key this season.
They need to get Turpin involved in the offense more this season. Move him around, let him run the football, anything at this point. He is a playmaker when on the field.
Tolbert should have no problem becoming the third guy behind Lamb and Brandin Cooks, but can he give them more than they got from Gallup a year ago? Gallup posted 34 catches for 418 yards and two touchdowns in 2023.
Tolbert will not be a guy teams make a game plan around until he makes them. Here is to hoping he can eclipse the 500-yard mark and be someone the defense has to at least pay attention to.
I think Turpin and Tolbert have a chance to carve out a very important role within the offense, they just have to prove they can do it consistently.
Jake Ferguson & Brandin Cooks
After Jake Fergusons’ rookie season, I thought he was just another body, but with 71 catches for 761 yards and five touchdowns in 2023, he will be the second option on this team behind Lamb.
Let’s ask ourselves, has Ferg taken that next step to make other teams worry about him like others?
Not to mention, he had 10 receptions, 93 yards, and three touchdowns in the playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Things you love to see: Dak Prescott and Jake Ferguson getting offseason reps in at TEU!
🎥: jakeferg84 on Instagram pic.twitter.com/Qpoaf3Yn4r
— Jess Nevarez (@JessNevarez_) June 18, 2024
He doesn’t need to be Travis Kelce, because nobody will be, but if he can become as good as maybe a George Kittle, then we can have a conversation.
I am on the fence about what type of year Brandin Cooks will have. Part of me thinks he will return to his 1,000-yard ways, while the other part of me thinks that 600-800 is a more realistic number.
Running Backs
Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle each have respectable qualities but are better served as No. 2 backs.
They will have their days or nights, but let’s be real.
This team has the worst backfield in all of football. They don’t scare anyone!
Tony Pollard might not have performed the way I had hoped last season, but he was still a player teams had to make sure they kept an eye on. He could change the game with one broken tackle or one wheel route out of the backfield.
One-Trick Pony
Let’s be honest, CeeDee Lamb is that dude, but if this team does not pay him his money, he may not even be here and then they are in real trouble.
.@keyshawn calls for CeeDee Lamb & Micah Parsons to not show up to training camp without a new contract 👀 pic.twitter.com/e5oSahKJM4
— The Facility (@TheFacilityFS1) July 10, 2024
Lamb should have nearly the same numbers in 2024 as he did last season, and that is why, although they won’t win 12 games again, they should at least make the playoffs.
This offense will be a one-trick pony, though.
They have nobody at this moment who makes the opposing team’s defensive coordinator create matchups based on them.
Until given a reason not to, it will be to cover CeeDee Lamb and force everyone else on the Cowboys offense to beat you, and it will probably work most of the time.
