PREDICTING THE DALLAS COWBOYS STARTERS FOR THE 2024 SEASON
Despite a few free agent additions and eight total draft picks, the Dallas Cowboys starters in all three phases of the game will look pretty much the same as they did a season ago. For a team that finished 12-5 last year and made the playoffs, having the majority of their starters return should be viewed as a good thing, but it's his new faces that will likely determine their success or failure in 2024.
Today, we are going to attempt to predict the Cowboys starters this year in all three phases in an attempt to get a better understanding of where things stand right now, and where they could still attempt to improve. After all, there is still plenty of time to make a few moves here and there before the 2024 season gets underway.
OFFENSE
- QB Dak Prescott
- RB Ezekiel Elliott
- WR CeeDee Lamb
- WR Brandin Cooks
- WR Jalen Tolbert
- TE Jake Ferguson
- LT Tyler Guyton
- LG Tyler Smith
- OC Cooper Beebe
- RG Zack Martin
- RT Terence Steele
Minus a few new faces, the Dallas Cowboys will be returning the majority of their starting offense that finished second in EPA per play last season.
Despite being in a contract year, Dak Prescott will once again drive the bus with his old pal Ezekiel Elliott returning to navigate in his old role as Dallas' RB1. The question is how much of the work load Zeke will likely handle with Rico Dowdle also getting reps.
At receiver, CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks return as the Cowboys top WR duo with Jalen Tolbert expected to take on an expanded role after Michael Gallup's release. There are some WRs behind Tolbert who could challenge him for the job though. And don't forget about Jake Ferguson. He should be even better in Year 3 after a full season of starting experience under his belt.
The offensive line is where we will see the most changes. Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe are expected to replace last year starters at LT and OC in Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz. Other than that it's much of the same. Zack Martin, whose entering a contract year, and Tyler Smith give Dallas arguably the best guard duo in the league with Terence Steele returning as a starting right tackle.
DEFENSE
- DE DeMarcus Lawrence
- DT Osa Odighizuwa
- DT Mazi Smith
- DE Micah Parsons
- LB Eric Kendricks
- LB Damone Clark
- CB DaRon Bland
- CB Trevon Diggs
- CB Jourdan Lewis
- S Malik Hooker
- S Donovan Wilson
Unlike the offensive side of the ball, the Cowboys have more subtractions than additions this offseason on defense, the most notable of which could be the loss of Dan Quinn. They could however only have a few new faces starting for them though in 2024.
Last year's first-round draft pick Mazi Smith is expected to make a big jump this year and take over for Jonathan Hankins as Dallas' starting 1-tech. Beside him Osa Odighizuwa will revise his role as their starting 3-tech. Don't be surprised if the Cowboys try to find more help via trade or the waiver wire at DT.
At linebacker, Eric Kendricks comes in to replace the retired Leighton Vander Esch and Damone Clark is the favorite right now to start at WILL LB, a position he's better suited to play. He could be challenged by DeMarvion Overshown or potentially this year's third-round draft pick (87th overall) Marist Liufau.
Off the edge, DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons reprise their role as one of the best defensive end duos in the league. Backing them up will be Sam Williams, who is expected to take on an expanded role this year, and their second-round draft pick, Marshawn Kneeland.
In the secondary it's expected Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland will be the Cowboys starting outside corners with Jourdan Lewis playing in the slot. This is an impressive trio. And at safety, Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson will reprise their starting roles with perhaps Juanyeh Thomas pushing for reps.
SPECIAL TEAMS
- K Brandon Aubrey
- P Bryan Anger
- LS Trent Sieg
- KR/PR Kavontae Turpin
Nothing to see here. Brandon Aubrey and Bryan Anger will be the Cowboys starting kicker and punter this year with Trent Sieg coming back to be the long snapper for both. And with the new rule changes in regards to the return game, KaVontae Turpin could be an important weapon on his own.
2024-05-03T19:07:48Z dg43tfdfdgfd