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The Cowboys are counting on Ezekiel Elliott to start and have a big season
Todd Archer
ESPN Staff Writer
The Dallas Cowboys open training camp on July 30 in Oxnard, California. Here's a starting lineup projection:
Offense
Quarterback (Tony Romo): If he can stay healthy, the Cowboys' chances of making the playoffs improve significantly. The Cowboys are 15-4 in Romo's past 19 regular-season games. Romo has not played a full season since 2012 but had a terrific offseason even with collarbone surgery.
Tailback (Ezekiel Elliott): Tony Dorsett ran for 1,007 yards in 1977, which remains the best season by a Cowboys' rookie. The Cowboys are hoping (needing?) more than that from Elliott, the fourth overall pick in the draft.
Wide receiver (Dez Bryant): He was not Dez Bryant last year. He had just 31 catches and three touchdowns in nine games, mostly because of a broken foot. He was held out of the offseason program this spring as a precaution but expects to be full-go early in camp. If he's healthy, he will produce.
Wide receiver (Terrance Williams): He is in the final year of his contract and needs a solid season to earn a big contract in 2017. He doesn't miss games. He doesn't miss practices. He can run all day. He is also a better receiver when lined up opposite Bryant.
Wide receiver (Cole Beasley): He is coming off a career high in catches and yards and that was mostly without Romo. He could be in position to set career highs again if the offense operates as hoped. He is extremely effective in the slot.
Tight end (Jason Witten): He averaged just 9.3 yards per catch last year but some of that is on the poor quarterback play and the routes he was asked to run. He turned 34 in May but if you ask the coaches and staff he is not slowing down. He remains the glue to the entire operation.
Left tackle (Tyron Smith): He is considered to be one of the best tackles in the game and he is durable. He has missed just one game in his career.
Left guard (La'el Collins): He was given the job early last season, and while he had moments of greatness he also had too many mistakes. He has to be more consistent in his second year.
Center (Travis Frederick): The Cowboys were ridiculed by many when they took him in the first round in 2013. All he has done is start every game and made the Pro Bowl the past two years.
Right guard (Zack Martin): Is this the year he becomes the best guard in football? He is smart and tough and plays with the right amount of meanness.
Right tackle (Doug Free): The other offensive linemen follow his lead. He plays hurt and without complaint. His time is running short but he knows how to get through a game, season.
Defense
Defensive end (Benson Mayowa): Signed as a restricted free agent from the Oakland Raiders, the Cowboys are betting that with more playing time will come more sacks. He is coming off knee surgery before minicamp but should be ready to go and win the job during Randy Gregory's four-game suspension.
Defensive end (David Irving): With DeMarcus Lawrence out the first four games because of a suspension, Irving and Ryan Russell will get the chance to win this job. Russell took most of the turns in the spring with Irving limited with a wrist injury.
Defensive tackle (Tyrone Crawford): He signed a five-year, $45 million deal last summer and posted a career-high five sacks. He knows the Cowboys need more, especially with the suspensions of Lawrence and Gregory.
Defensive tackle (Cedric Thornton): The Cowboys' biggest free-agent signing at four years, $17 million, the Cowboys are looking at him as a solid run defender with some pass rush ability. They need him to occupy blockers to help Crawford.
Weakside linebacker (Sean Lee): He was added to the Pro Bowl as an injury replacement after missing 2014 with a torn ACL. He led the Cowboys in tackles and remains their best playmaker. He had a scope on his knee that kept him off the field in the spring but should not limit him this summer.
Middle linebacker (Anthony Hitchens): With Rolando McClain suspended the first 10 games, Hitchens is the most logical fill-in. With McClain suspended the first four games last year he was credited with 35 tackles, two sacks and four quarterback pressures.
Strongside linebacker (Kyle Wilber): The position is something of an afterthought because of how much the Cowboys use their nickel defense. Wilber can be a good run defender and in certain matchups the Cowboys could go with the more athletic Damien Wilson or Mark Nzeocha in this spot.
Cornerback (Orlando Scandrick): He missed last season with a torn ACL and MCL as well as the offseason program. He promised to be ready to go for the start of camp and nothing in his rehab suggests otherwise. He is one of the better slot corners because of his strength and smarts. Like all of their cornerbacks, he needs more interceptions.
Cornerback (Brandon Carr): He has not had a pick since Thanksgiving of 2013 and accepted a hefty pay cut in the offseason. He has never missed a game or start in his career. He moved to right cornerback in the offseason, which could be his more natural position.
Strong safety (Barry Church): He is entering the final year of his contract. He finished second to Lee in tackles last year.
Free safety (Byron Jones): Last year's No. 1 pick will benefit from playing one position compared to last year when he played slot corner, outside corner and safety. The Cowboys believe his athleticism will give them a centerfield safety they have not had in years. He did not have a pick as a rookie but the Cowboys believe he has playmaking ability.
Special teams
Kicker (Dan Bailey): He is the most accurate kicker in NFL history and has proven to be even better in the clutch with 10 game-winning kicks, including five in overtime.
Punter (Chris Jones): He is coming off his best season in which he had a 42.5-yard net average. His directional kicking has improved greatly and he has a strong leg that can flip field position.
Long snapper (L.P. Ladouceur): He has not had a bad snap in his 11 years. He helps Bailey and Jones do their jobs well because of his precision.
Todd Archer
ESPN Staff Writer
The Dallas Cowboys open training camp on July 30 in Oxnard, California. Here's a starting lineup projection:
Offense
Quarterback (Tony Romo): If he can stay healthy, the Cowboys' chances of making the playoffs improve significantly. The Cowboys are 15-4 in Romo's past 19 regular-season games. Romo has not played a full season since 2012 but had a terrific offseason even with collarbone surgery.
Tailback (Ezekiel Elliott): Tony Dorsett ran for 1,007 yards in 1977, which remains the best season by a Cowboys' rookie. The Cowboys are hoping (needing?) more than that from Elliott, the fourth overall pick in the draft.
Wide receiver (Dez Bryant): He was not Dez Bryant last year. He had just 31 catches and three touchdowns in nine games, mostly because of a broken foot. He was held out of the offseason program this spring as a precaution but expects to be full-go early in camp. If he's healthy, he will produce.
Wide receiver (Terrance Williams): He is in the final year of his contract and needs a solid season to earn a big contract in 2017. He doesn't miss games. He doesn't miss practices. He can run all day. He is also a better receiver when lined up opposite Bryant.
Wide receiver (Cole Beasley): He is coming off a career high in catches and yards and that was mostly without Romo. He could be in position to set career highs again if the offense operates as hoped. He is extremely effective in the slot.
Tight end (Jason Witten): He averaged just 9.3 yards per catch last year but some of that is on the poor quarterback play and the routes he was asked to run. He turned 34 in May but if you ask the coaches and staff he is not slowing down. He remains the glue to the entire operation.
Left tackle (Tyron Smith): He is considered to be one of the best tackles in the game and he is durable. He has missed just one game in his career.
Left guard (La'el Collins): He was given the job early last season, and while he had moments of greatness he also had too many mistakes. He has to be more consistent in his second year.
Center (Travis Frederick): The Cowboys were ridiculed by many when they took him in the first round in 2013. All he has done is start every game and made the Pro Bowl the past two years.
Right guard (Zack Martin): Is this the year he becomes the best guard in football? He is smart and tough and plays with the right amount of meanness.
Right tackle (Doug Free): The other offensive linemen follow his lead. He plays hurt and without complaint. His time is running short but he knows how to get through a game, season.
Defense
Defensive end (Benson Mayowa): Signed as a restricted free agent from the Oakland Raiders, the Cowboys are betting that with more playing time will come more sacks. He is coming off knee surgery before minicamp but should be ready to go and win the job during Randy Gregory's four-game suspension.
Defensive end (David Irving): With DeMarcus Lawrence out the first four games because of a suspension, Irving and Ryan Russell will get the chance to win this job. Russell took most of the turns in the spring with Irving limited with a wrist injury.
Defensive tackle (Tyrone Crawford): He signed a five-year, $45 million deal last summer and posted a career-high five sacks. He knows the Cowboys need more, especially with the suspensions of Lawrence and Gregory.
Defensive tackle (Cedric Thornton): The Cowboys' biggest free-agent signing at four years, $17 million, the Cowboys are looking at him as a solid run defender with some pass rush ability. They need him to occupy blockers to help Crawford.
Weakside linebacker (Sean Lee): He was added to the Pro Bowl as an injury replacement after missing 2014 with a torn ACL. He led the Cowboys in tackles and remains their best playmaker. He had a scope on his knee that kept him off the field in the spring but should not limit him this summer.
Middle linebacker (Anthony Hitchens): With Rolando McClain suspended the first 10 games, Hitchens is the most logical fill-in. With McClain suspended the first four games last year he was credited with 35 tackles, two sacks and four quarterback pressures.
Strongside linebacker (Kyle Wilber): The position is something of an afterthought because of how much the Cowboys use their nickel defense. Wilber can be a good run defender and in certain matchups the Cowboys could go with the more athletic Damien Wilson or Mark Nzeocha in this spot.
Cornerback (Orlando Scandrick): He missed last season with a torn ACL and MCL as well as the offseason program. He promised to be ready to go for the start of camp and nothing in his rehab suggests otherwise. He is one of the better slot corners because of his strength and smarts. Like all of their cornerbacks, he needs more interceptions.
Cornerback (Brandon Carr): He has not had a pick since Thanksgiving of 2013 and accepted a hefty pay cut in the offseason. He has never missed a game or start in his career. He moved to right cornerback in the offseason, which could be his more natural position.
Strong safety (Barry Church): He is entering the final year of his contract. He finished second to Lee in tackles last year.
Free safety (Byron Jones): Last year's No. 1 pick will benefit from playing one position compared to last year when he played slot corner, outside corner and safety. The Cowboys believe his athleticism will give them a centerfield safety they have not had in years. He did not have a pick as a rookie but the Cowboys believe he has playmaking ability.
Special teams
Kicker (Dan Bailey): He is the most accurate kicker in NFL history and has proven to be even better in the clutch with 10 game-winning kicks, including five in overtime.
Punter (Chris Jones): He is coming off his best season in which he had a 42.5-yard net average. His directional kicking has improved greatly and he has a strong leg that can flip field position.
Long snapper (L.P. Ladouceur): He has not had a bad snap in his 11 years. He helps Bailey and Jones do their jobs well because of his precision.