Summarize and humanize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs in EnglishWhen we broke down the Dallas Cowboys’ defense a couple of weeks ago in the aftermath of the bulk of free agency, it was apparent how much the notable moves — additions, subtractions, retentions — favored defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus’ side of the ball. The biggest signing — Osa Odighizuwa — came on defense, as did trades for linebacker and cornerback along with free-agency signings at linebacker and along the defensive line. The biggest losses also came from the defense: Jourdan Lewis and DeMarcus Lawrence.Where does that leave the offense?The spotlight will shine bright this month on the Brian Schottenheimer-led unit. The Cowboys made one noteworthy move Thursday by trading for backup quarterback Joe Milton. The trade for the New England Patriots’ 2024 sixth-round selection essentially amounted to the Cowboys using a Day-3 selection in this year’s draft on a backup quarterback.The Cowboys finished 21st last season in scoring, 25th in yards per play, 27th in rushing offense and 30th in yards per rushing attempt.While the quarterback room appears to be complete, there’s plenty of work to be done at other positions. Let’s examine where the offense stands and what needs to be done.QuarterbackIt looks like the quarterback room is complete, but that doesn’t mean the depth chart is set. Dak Prescott is obviously QB1 but Milton won’t just be handed the QB2 role, the same way Trey Lance wasn’t handed that role despite the Cowboys trading a fourth-round pick to get him. Lance never was able to beat out Cooper Rush, who departed for Baltimore this offseason and left veteran Will Grier as the only other quarterback on the roster.Milton, 25, is younger than Grier, 30, has more upside and the tools and talent that made the Cowboys go get him. Still, there will be a competition for QB2 and that’ll be worth tracking throughout the offseason and training camp. Prescott has missed time with injury in four of the past five seasons so the backup quarterback spot being in decent shape is important.Milton’s arrival makes it unlikely Dallas drafts a quarterback, but there’s always a chance if a player it loves is available at great value. But with all of the other roster needs, taking care of the insurance plan at the most important position was a tidy bit of business by the front office.Running backFree-agency additions Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders were fine but neither can be counted on as RB1 material. Both have qualities that make them good fits in an NFL backfield but the Cowboys are still searching for their lead back. That is somewhat by design. This draft class is friendly for teams looking for a quality young back. Ashton Jeanty is the flashiest name but there’s no guarantee he’d be available when the Cowboys pick at No. 12. Even if Jeanty is available, it doesn’t sound like the Cowboys are drooling over the opportunity to pick him. He certainly would be in the mix but if there are other highly-graded players at other positions of need, they may get the nod. It’s also possible the Cowboys get an offer they like and trade back.Running back has to be addressed in the draft. Regardless of how much this running back class is talked up, the Cowboys really need to come out with a guy they like on Day 1 or Day 2. Adding another back on Day 3 is an option as well but the position needs to be addressed early.Wide receiverBecause of contract situations, the bulk of the WR room is set. CeeDee Lamb is the No. 1. They aren’t giving up on Jonathan Mingo five months after trading a fourth-round pick for him. They won’t give up on their 2022 third-round pick Jalen Tolbert, who still is on his rookie deal and they just re-signed KaVontae Turpin. Last year’s draft pick, Ryan Flournoy, also has some fans in the building.There’s a glaring hole at WR2.Mingo, Tolbert, Turpin and Flournoy all profile as No. 3 or No. 4 types. Dallas needs somebody who can reliably work the field opposite Lamb and take advantage of teams shading over to him. There are different attributes that could fit the profile — speed, frame, agility, explosiveness — but the Cowboys need more from that primary spot than they’ve gotten in recent years. With all of the money tied up in Prescott and Lamb, there needs to be a move that helps get the best version of them, as well as boosting the overall productivity and depth of the offensive playmakers.
Jalen Tolbert has improved from two receptions as a rookie to 22 in 2023 and 49 last season. (Tim Heitman / Imagn Images)Tight endShort of potentially doling out an extension to Jake Ferguson, there isn’t much activity to be expected at this position. Ferguson showed TE1 potential in 2023 before taking a step back in 2024. Luke Schoonmaker was the team’s second-round pick in 2023 and Brevyn Spann-Ford was a priority signing last year. The Cowboys are also hoping John Stephens Jr. makes a strong recovery from his ACL injury and lives up to the hype of his training camp and preseason action.Offensive lineEven though it’s pretty easy to identify the five-man starting offensive line for Week 1, the Cowboys can use help almost across the board. Both tackle spots are vulnerable. Right tackle Terence Steele has struggled since his serious knee injury a couple of years ago and the Cowboys have a potential out of his big contract extension after 2025. Left tackle Tyler Guyton had a subpar rookie year and while the Cowboys believe he will rebound, it needs to show on the field before it’s etched in stone. The ideal situation would be Guyton improving at left tackle. If he doesn’t, the Cowboys may eventually be forced to try their 2024 first-round investment at his natural position on the right side.Brock Hoffman and T.J. Bass are decent candidates to take over at right guard but neither is good enough for the Cowboys to not think about the position. Tyler Smith is a lock at left guard and Cooper Beebe did enough as a rookie to secure his spot in the interior, preferably at center but even at right guard, if needed.The Cowboys aren’t in terrible shape up front but there’s too much riding on hope and that is never a great strategy. If the right offensive linemen (inside and outside) present themselves in the draft, the Cowboys should seriously consider them.(Photo of Javonte Williams: Matthew Stockman / Getty Images)
