After sharing with you my attempt at being the General Manager in my 2021 offseason guide to fix the Dallas Cowboys I thought I’d show you what the projected depth chart would look like based on the moves I’ve made. Sometimes a visual aid helps to put things in a better perspective.
Let’s take a look…
OFFENSE
| Dallas Cowboys 2021 Depth Chart | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| POSITION | FIRST TEAM | SECOND TEAM | THIRD TEAM |
| QB | Dak Prescott | Garrett Gilbert | Ben DiNucci |
| RB | Ezekiel Elliott | Tony Pollard | Rico Dowdle |
| FB | Jamize Olawale | Sewo Olonilua | |
| WR (X) | Amari Cooper | Kyle Pitts | |
| WR (Y) | Michael Gallup | Cedrick Wilson | |
| WR (slot) | CeeDee Lamb | Malik Turner | |
| TE | Kyle Pitts | Blake Jarwin | Dalton Schultz |
| LT | Tyron Smith | James Hudson | Brandon Knight |
| LG | Connor Williams | ||
| C | Tyler Biadasz | Joe Looney | |
| RG | Zack Martin | Connor McGovern | |
| RT | La’el Collins | Terence Steele | |
As you can see, there isn’t much change from the Dallas Cowboys depth chart last season to my projected 2021 depth chart. Getting back several starters from injuries is the key to the Cowboys offensive success in 2021 and other than that the only new additions I made were TE Kyle Pitts and OT James Hudson.
Kyle Pitts is someone I think Dallas could utilize in a a variety of ways. I think he compares favorably to Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Evans or Las Vegas Raiders TE Darren Walker, which is why I have him listed at both positions on the depth chart. James Hudson’s addition upgrades the Cowboys swing tackle position and gives them someone to eventually replace Tyron Smith.
DEFENSE
| Dallas Cowboys 2021 Depth Chart | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| POSITION | FIRST TEAM | SECOND TEAM | THIRD TEAM |
| RDE | Randy Gregory | Aldon Smith | Bradlee Anae |
| LDE | DeMarcus Lawrence | Dorance Armstrong | Ron’Dell Carter |
| 3-tech | Gerald McCoy | Trysten Hill | Neville Gallimore |
| 1-tech | Malcolm Brown | Antwaun Woods | Lorenzo Neal Jr. |
| MLB | Leighton Vander Esch | Foyesade Oluokun | Francis Bernard |
| WLB | Jaylon Smith | Jabril Cox | JaCoby Stevens |
| CB1 | Richard Sherman | Ifeatu Melifonwu | |
| CB2 | Trevon Diggs | Maurice Canady | |
| CB3 (slot) | Anthony Brown | Keith Taylor Jr. | |
| SS | Talanoa Hufanga | Donovan Wilson | |
| FS | Marcus Williams | Reggie Robinson II | |
Obviously the most of the Dallas Cowboys offseason turnover will be on the defensive side of the ball. I believe the additions I made are all arguably upgrades and should improve the overall play from what was one of the worst defensive units in the league last season. Of course, not everyone will likely feel as I do.
I believe Gerald McCoy is an upgrade over Tyrone Crawford and Malcolm Brown and upgrade over Antwanu Woods, which will go a long ways in helping the Cowboys run defense. At linebacker trading for Foyesade Oluokun gives the Cowboys an experienced, young LB who could challenge for a starting job and the same could be said for Jabril Cox. JaCoby Stevens provides versatility and depth at LB and SS and should be a key special teams player.
I believe I completely revamped and made over pretty much the entire Cowboys secondary secondary. Richard Sherman provides much-needed veteran experience and someone who knows and has excelled in Dan Quinn’s system. His addition should help Dallas’ young CBs transition into a new defensive scheme and into the NFL go much more smoothly.
At safety the Cowboys finally get a difference making type of free safety in Marcus Williams, who would be a perfect fit in Quinn’s heavy Cover 1-3 coverage scheme. And even though Donovan Wilson is probably a capable starter at SS, I think Talanoa Hufanga is an upgrade and someone who can excel in a Kam Chancellor type of role in and around the line of scrimmage.
