In the ninth of a 32-part series, we are featuring all National Football League teams with a prediction of where each team will finish within their division, key off-season acquisitions and their top fantasy stars. Here are the Dallas Cowboys.
Key Off Season Acquisitions
The Cowboys made two key trades in the offseason to try and improve their squad. They acquired cornerback Stephon Gilmore of Rock Hill, South Carolina in a deal with the Indianapolis Colts and wide receiver Brandin Cooks of Stockton, California in a deal with the Houston Texans.
The Dallas Cowboys did have three offseason acquisitions in free agency. However, they are not of strong significance. Dallas came to terms with long snapper Trent Sieg, tackle Chuma Edoga and running back Ronald Jones II on one-year contracts worth $1.2325 million. Sieg played last year with the Las Vegas Raiders, Edoga was with the Atlanta Falcons, and Jones II was with the Kansas City Chiefs. Dallas will not have Jones II for the first two weeks of the season because he violated the NFL’s performance enhancing drug policy.
Fantasy Stars
There is simply a lot to get excited over Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, as he has emerged as one of the most electrifying offensive stars in the NFL. Ranked sixth among all wide receivers in fantasy football, Lamb had 107 catches for 1359 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in 2022. However, in order for Lamb to have a great season in 2023, the native of Opelousas, Louisiana needs his star quarterback, Dak Prescott, to stay healthy.
At running back, Tony Pollard of Memphis, Tennessee is ranked eighth. Now that we know that Ezequiel Elliott is not back with the Cowboys, Pollard should get more playing time. Last season he had 193 rushes for 1007 rushing yards, and nine rushing touchdowns, along with 39 catches for 371 receiving yards and three touchdown catches.
The Cowboys have the third best defense in the NFL when it comes to fantasy. This past season they gave up 342 points, the second fewest points in the National Football Conference.
Projected Finish
There is no doubt that Dallas has one of the best defenses in the NFL. Dallas is poised to have an impact in the National Football Conference this season when they don’t have the pigskin. Questions arise with the Cowboys regarding their overall team health and consistency. It is because of these questions that the Philadelphia Eagles need to be considered the favourite to win the NFC East, with the Cowboys at number two.
