Afrigather After one other loss and a uncommon 1-2 begin to a season, the Dallas Cowboys have little to be ok with. This week’s rankings replicate the clear culprits within the staff’s struggles as they’ve been getting dominated within the trenches on each side of the ball. Sadly, with a brief week earlier than Thursday night time’s sport in opposition to the New York Giants, there’s not a lot time to repair the issues.
In a format like this, somebody must be on prime. We’re not saying that anybody is enjoying properly proper now, however some are extra accountable than others. Clearly, there’s not a lot “energy” in these rankings proper now for anybody.
- Quarterback (LW: 2nd) – Convey on the hate, however the way you do clarify how Dak Prescott is extra accountable for the issues than guys at different positions. He at the moment leads the league in passing yards and did way more to maintain Dallas within the final sport than value them. He has issues to scrub up, however he’s not almost as soiled as a lot of the staff.
- Tight Finish (LW: seventh) – Even after lacking a sport and apply with a knee damage, Jake Ferguson returned to steer the staff in catches and passing yards. He wasn’t 100% in opposition to Baltimore however nonetheless produced; an incredible signal for what he can do the remainder of the best way to assist enhance the offense.
- Guard (Final Week: 1st) – Whereas not as unhealthy as the remainder of the road, Zack Martin and Tyler Smith aren’t making a lot of a constructive impression. Granted, there’s solely a lot they’ll do with breakdowns round them. However a part of the logic in beginning the rookies was they’d subsequent two All-Professional skills. We’re not seeing that come collectively but.
- Defensive Finish (LW: third) – Groups are efficiently scheming Micah Parsons out of video games as a result of the remainder of the protection isn’t making them pay for it. That’s not Parsons’ fault, nevertheless it’s not like DeMarcus Lawrence has actually performed a lot since Week 1. These guys are the supposed defensive leaders they usually have to begin stepping up.
- Large Receiver (LW: 4th) – CeeDee Lamb has been open about his failings final week and Brandin Cooks has been a non-factor. It’s been good to see Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin, and Jalen Brooks stepping up when referred to as upon. Maybe Dallas begins spreading the ball round extra to develop into much less predictable.
- Heart (LW: eighth) – Whereas the first-round rookie OL goes via it proper now, Cooper Beebe has not less than been solvent. We’re not seeing the enhance to run blocking that was hoped for nevertheless it’s nonetheless early.
- Cornerback (LW: sixth) – Whereas they haven’t been uncovered as a lot with opponents’ run-game dominance, the corners haven’t stepped up when wanted. Trevon Diggs gave up a crucial move to kill Dallas’ comeback effort final week.
- Linebacker (LW: fifth) – After a shining debut in opposition to Cleveland, it’s been distress for the linebackers the final two weeks. The Browns sport proved to be idiot’s gold for who the Cowboys actually have been. Whereas the LBs can be higher with extra assist up entrance, they’re hardly free from blame as groups are working them over at will.
- Security (LW: ninth) – The veterans have much less excuse for his or her failings than the newly-constructed LB corps. Malik Hooker has been a ghost this yr and Donovan Wilson has been an issue. It might be time to offer Juanyeh Thomas and Markquese Bell extra snaps, each to show up the depth and provides them priceless work for the longer term.
- Working Again (LW: twelfth) – It’s time to cease victim-shaming the RBs. Even with poor blocking, Rico Dowdle has nonetheless topped 4.0 YPC within the final two video games. No, these guys aren’t adequate to make one thing out of nothing. However the nothing isn’t their fault. Plus, fast shout-out to FB Hunter Luepke for his large performs on Sunday.
- Offensive Sort out (LW: tenth) – Whether or not it’s run or move blocking, Guyton and Steele aren’t getting it performed. If this retains up, Dallas might have to begin exploring its bench for solutions at proper deal with as a result of Steele appears to be like damaged proper now, and their breakdowns are killing this offense.
- Defensive Sort out (LW: eleventh) – There may be zero impression coming from the center of the road, even from Osa Odighizuwa. No matter Mike Zimmer’s doing proper now isn’t mitigating the weaknesses the best way Dan Quinn’s scheme did, so maybe our new DC ought to begin stealing from the outdated one.
