In the ninth of a 32-part series, we will feature 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. Today we will look at the Dallas Cowboys.
Key Off Season Acquisitions
The Dallas Cowboys will be asking James Washington of Abilene, Texas to fill the void at wide receiver, after trading Amari Cooper to the Cleveland Browns in the offseason in a deal that involved draft picks. Washington, who signed a one-year deal worth $1.2 million, only had 24 catches for 285 yards and two touchdowns last year with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Another offseason acquisitions for the Cowboys includes fullback Ryan Hall from the Chicago Bears, who signed a one year contract worth $965,000.
Fantasy Stars
There are two Cowboys worth taking in fantasy pools who are ranked in the top 10 in their respective positions. Tight end Dalton Schultz of Sandy, Utah is ranked third among tight ends, only behind Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs and Mark Andrews of the Baltimore Ravens. Last season Schultz had 78 catches for 808 yards and eight touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott of Sulphur, Louisiana is ranked ninth. In 16 games last season, Prescott completed 410 passes in 596 attempts for 4449 yards, 37 touchdowns and 1o interceptions. He also had 48 rushes for 146 yards and one touchdown.
On special teams, kicker Greg Zuerlein was released by the Cowboys. Dallas then signed undrafted rookie Jonathan Garibay, a senior from Texas Tech. Normally drafting kickers on the Cowboys in fantasy pools is a foregone conclusion, but be careful in drafting rookies.
Prediction
The Cowboys have the most talent and should win the NFC East even without Cooper. The issue is don’t expect a deep playoff run in a talented NFC outside their division. Dallas has not won a Super Bowl since 1996 and when they do make the postseason, they have underachieved more frequently than not.
