What if Dak plays 17 games at a MVP level? What if Tyron Smith stays healthy for 17 games?
These two questions are tied together. Yet the answer is deeper than just Tyron.
I suspect Tyron will not play 50% of the snaps. With a rookie coming in, who may be required to move out to tackle, that leaves a problem. I still do not know who the RT will be, nor have any confidence this management is prepared for the train wreck if both tackles fail. And is Badass for real, or just another spare?
Saw a chart that stated Dallas has 21 million left in the purse. That is second in the league. I would think not all the moves will have been made just yet. If that is the case, these two questions may not be as serious as they appear now.
Having said this, the likelihood of Dak playing at an MVP level, or staying healthy now has just as big a question mark as the line. And this team's history with the people running it suggest we may see nothing in the way of bringing in linemen to actually do their jobs.
What if Parsons exceeds his rookie year production?
This may be the most likely thing to happen on this list. But there is too much beholding to the rest of the defense for Parsons to lift the entire defense.
Ridgeway and Williams, Lawrence, Fowler, LVE, all could play better than expected. This will give Parsons a running start at making all players around him better. But defensive coordinators will be targeting Parsons and scheming him on every play. There will be no surprise #11 this season.
Diggs, this player, as well as all the pass defenders had an outstanding year last season. History suggests that will not repeat. But their outcome will be in direct proportion to the front end defenders getting to the quarterbacks.
No pass rush, no pass defense.
What if Moore grows up and develops a running game and red zone offense? What is McCarthy plays it straight more often?
These are linked in my mind. Moore is a shiny penny that has lost his luster. Blame Dak as you will, but the OC needs to devise game plans to keep him upright and in traffic free as possible. The DC's dictate to Moore far too often. And with the possibility of having a piss poor offensive line this year, I have no confidence in Moore. I see Moore as a hero bet for Jerry Jones on a poker table. There is one card in the deck, and Jerry is waiting for that last card to be turned over.
Thus the second part of your question. If McCarthy is truly special and was a reason GB won, then he needs to jerk the reigns out of the hands of Moore quickly if we see more of the ineptitude we saw from last year. The shortness of the leash Moore is on with me doesn't apex at inches.
What if Lamb grabs a 100 catches and is the true #1?
Go back to the first two questions, and the one about Moore. Can the line protect? Will Dak be harassed or have time to throw cleanly? Will Moore be the inventive Whiz-kid the franchise seems to think he is, or will the team be saddled with a Coordinator who is protected by Jerry, thus the HC cannot make in season adjustments? Does the rest of the receiver corps have the skill set to cause teams to not just blanket Lamb?
Lamb has the skill set to reach those numbers. Is he special enough to get there with less than great assistance?
What if Gallup comes back and is a red zone monster in the second half of the season?
I expect this. I also expect him to get hurt.
