Are Cowboys the most under-the-radar improved team ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft?
The Dallas Cowboys have been one of the most active teams during the 2023 NFL offseason when it comes to making significant changes. This starts with the coaching staff, particularly the firing of offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. The biggest result that comes with the departure of Moore is Jerry Jones announcing that head coach Mike McCarthy will take over the play-calling duties.
With a change in playcallers comes a new offensive philosophy. McCarthy has already stated that he plans on running the football much more than Moore did when he was calling the plays. The only catch here is that the Cowboys recently released Ezekiel Elliot, one of their workhorses over the past several seasons. This means Tony Pollard will likely receive more touches than ever before.
Mike McCarthy to reporters at the owners’ meetings on re-adjusting to life as a play caller: https://t.co/pyyejwVVxM
In addition to losing Elliot this year, star tight end Dalton Schultz is also leaving Dallas. He signed a new contract with the Houston Texans during the free agency period. While much has been made about the subtraction of talent from their roster during the 2023 NFL offseason, they have also made significant upgrades as well.
Two major acquisitions have gone a bit under the radar in Dallas this year, drastically improving its team from a season ago on both sides of the ball. The Cowboys basically skipped the free agent market and instead looked to the trade block for their targets. The value they found and the price they paid for it seems to be a bit underrated.
The Cowboys lacked a true No. 2 wide receiver next to CeeDee Lamb in the 2022 NFL season after trading away Amari Cooper. They seem to have solved that problem by acquiring veteran Brandin Cooks. Their biggest weakness in their defense last season was another reliable cornerback next to Trevon Diggs. They went out and traded for Stephon Gilmore, a former NFL MVP winner.
The two major upgrades to their roster pretty much complete the Cowboys as they have no glaring holes right now. They advanced to the second round of the NFL playoffs last year, but with their new additions this year, they may have sneakily propelled themselves to be among the favorites to make it to the Super Bowl.
Cowboys can make a luxury pick in the 2023 NFL draft
While the Cowboys can surely improve certain areas of their roster, such as offensive line depth and tight-end production, they have no major weaknesses in their roster structure ahead of the 2023 NFL draft. This allows them the luxury of selecting whomever they believe is the biggest impact player when they are on the clock.
Jerry Jones has been no stranger to this strategy in the past and he seems primed to execute it once again. While some teams draft to fill specific needs, others believe in selecting the best player available, regardless of their position. Jones has often used the latter, such as his recent selections of Ezekiel Elliot and CeeDee Lamb, just to name a few.
Jones could do so again this year without leaving any holes on their roster, as most of them have already been addressed. Adding another highly-rated prospect with star potential this year further adds to the fact that the Cowboys are having one of the best offseasons in the entire NFL that's still going a bit unnoticed.