Let's just take a quick look at the present snap shot

[CCBoy]

The season totals for two of the past three seasons is significant, even if not guaranteeing status quo in a changing NFC East.

This is relevant:

Elliott Harrison, NFL media analyst for NFL.com: Even with the departure of Wade Phillips, the Broncos' defense is a championship-caliber unit. Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders are the most talented pair of receivers Romo could find. Over the past three years, they've combined for 562 catches -- and that's with some mediocre-to-bad QB play. Back to that D, though ... Wouldn't it be nice if Romo could walk out on the field like Russell Wilson has throughout his career, thinking, If I score 17 points today, we win?

Harrison on Houston as Romo's landing spot: Romo's career passer rating is 25 points higher than the one Brock Osweiler posted last year -- and that's despite the fact that half of Romo's career came before all the player-safety rules made throwing the football over the middle a safe option. With a defense that is already stout -- and poised to get J.J. Watt back -- a Romo-led offense makes Houston a Super Bowl contender NOW.

...but if Tony is retained after all this, that is a win for team strength.

But let's take a quick snap shot:

Last year's team team depth chart to now...

OFFENSE

WR 1 Dez Bryant - Brice Butler / Dez Bryant - Brice Butler
TE Jason Witten - Gavin Escobar / Jason Witten - James Hannah
LT Tyron Smith - Chaz Green / Tyron Smith - Chaz Green
LG Ronald Leary / La'el Collins
C Travis Frederick - Joe Looney / Travis Frederick - Joe Looney
RG Zach Martin - Emmett Cleary / Zach Martin - Emmett Cleary
RT Doug Free - Emmett Cleary / Doug Free - Emmett Cleary
WR2 Terrance Williams - Cole Beasley / Terrance Williams - Cole Beasley
QB Dak Prescott - Tony Romo / *(presently) Dak Prescott - Tony Romo
RB Zeke Elliott - Alfred Morris / Zeke Elliott
FB Keith Smith / Keith Smith


DEFENSE

LDE Jack Crawford - Demarcus Lawrence - Benson Mayowa / Demarcus Lawrence - Benson Mayowa - Charles Tapper
DT Terrell McClain - Cedric Thornton / Cedric Thornton - Stephen Paea
DT Maliek Collins - David Irvin / Maliek Collins - David Irvin
RDE Tyrone Crawford - David Irvin - Ryan Davis / Tyrone Crawford - David Irvin - Damontre Moore
SLB Damien Wilson - Andrew Gachkar / Damien Wilson (to be seen)
MLB Anthony Hitchens - Mark Nzeocha / Jaylon Smith - Anthony Hitchens
WLB Sean Lee - Justin Durant / Sean Lee (to be seen)
CB Brandon Carr / Nolan Carroll
CB Morris Claiborne - Leon McFadden / Anthony Brown - Leon McFadden
CB Orlando Scandrick - Anthony Brown / Orlando Scandrick
SS Barry Church - JJ Wilcox / Jeff Heath
FS Byron Jones - Jeff Heath / Byron Jones - Kavon Frazier

The secondary still has some questions, but free agency and the draft are far from over.

But straight up, what remains isn't a shell of last season...and remains a team that can challenge, right now.

 

[CCBoy]

Now, this type move would still be a game changer:

Jane Slater‏Verified account @SlaterNFL Mar 7




As Cowboys weigh a DeMarcus Ware return, I'm told an MRI last week looked good following season ending surgery on bulging disc in back


Or would a solid pick for Tony Romo put a move for Sheldon Richardson on the table?

 

[CCBoy]

Most of the players that the Cowboys draft will eventually get replaced by undrafted free agents. Jones loves diamonds in the rough. Players such as safeties Jeff Heath and Barry Church, running back Lance Dunbar, guards Ronald Leary and La’el Collins, wide receivers Cole Beasley and Lucky Whitehead have all become starters or received significant playing time.

http://thelandryhat.com/2017/03/10/dallas-cowboys-scouting-combine-matter/