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Before the season kicks in, it’s a good time to reflect on the team and look at the state of the Dallas Cowboys.

The Dallas Cowboys are coming up on their first year under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer, and it’s safe to say that the pressure is already on Schottenheimer. For a franchise that’s as legendary as the Cowboys, there isn’t much patience when it comes to waiting for a comeback year, so this really has to be it.

Schottenheimer has been putting his own stamp on the team during the offseason and making some adjustments to the Cowboys’ roster. They still have franchise quarterback Dak Prescott, who will be back from his season-ending injury last season, and star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. So, some of the big name are back and ready to rock.

But, there’s still nervousness in the Cowboys camp as the 2025-26 season approaches. Will they finally have more than a mediocre season? Before the season kicks in makes for a good time to reflect on what’s been happening during the offseason and look at the state of the Cowboys. So, does the team have the kind of winning roster it needs to make some noise this season?

Cowboys Have Some Major Playmakers

Prescott’s job will be a lot easier if he has good playmakers around him. In a Tuesday, July 8 feature for ESPN, NFL expert Bill Barnwell names the best playmakers in the NFL, and he gives his thoughts on the Cowboys.

Let’s get to Dallas. Barnwell has the Cowboys ranked No. 11 on the tally. That’s not bad at all. It’s actually up from No. 18 last season, so quite an improvement.

“Last season was a step backward for CeeDee Lamb, but it seems reasonable to chalk up some of his decline to Dak Prescott’s injuries,” Barnell notes. He also makes the observation that “Lamb will finally get some help on the outside, where George Pickens should — on what can only be described as the most paper-ish substance imaginable — be an upgrade on the likes of Michael Gallup and Brandin Cooks.”

It’s not all fun and games, though, as Barnell notes that he’s “still not entirely sure why Dallas downgraded from Rico Dowdle to Javonte Williams by choice, but this is arguably the league’s worst backfield on paper. While these rankings index more heavily on wide receiver, the Cowboys seem entirely disinterested in even taking fun fliers at running back.”

So, it’s a mixed bag, but in general, the Cowboys are looking significantly stronger in this area going into the new season.

Looking at the Cowboys’ Secondary

The Cowboys’ secondary is a different story. In a story published on Tuesday, July 8, for PFF, John Kosko lays out the best secondaries in the NFL.

He has the Cowboys at No. 31, so really not great. Here, Kosko makes the case that “injuries, coaching changes and key departures have depleted the unit’s depth.” He later adds, “While there is still talent in this group, the prime years of these players may already be behind them unless an infusion of youth provides a spark.”

Of course, it’s just his prediction, and hopefully the Dallas Cowboys will surprise everybody in a good way when the new season starts.

Anne Erickson is an award-winning reporter for Heavy Sports covering the NFL, NBA and college football. Anne Erickson has years of experience covering the NFL and additional sports, and her work has been published via ESPN, Fox Sports and more. She has interviewed some of the biggest names in sports, including Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff. Erickson also hosts several podcasts and is a Detroit-based radio host. More about Anne Erickson