After three preseason games, I have concluded that this off-season has been one of the most interesting in decades. First, and most obvious, we actually had a pretty good draft. We bring in Sam Williams, Tyler Smith, DaRon Bland, Jake Ferguson, Jalen Tolbert, and Devin Harper.
I like all of those guys.
Williams will be a force on defense. And I'm for keeping him at guard, but wherever Tyler Smith plays, I think he'll do well for us. I can't remember who it was, but a Wisconsin fan was talking to me about Ferguson, saying, "I can't wait to watch him on third and Ferguson." That's exactly what I see: a 3rd down machine. And I think Jalen Tolbert and DaRon Bland both end up being great players for us during their careers. And I think both contribute this year.
UDFA's Make 2022 Offseason Most Interesting in Decades
But this off-season was one of the most interesting because of our UDFAs. We've got a lot of talent there. First, we brought in two really nice running backs: Aaron Shampklin and Malik Davis. I'm not sure which one the Cowboys keep, but I suspect Shampklin goes on PUP and Davis makes the team.
On top of the two preseason standouts at running back, we also brought in a talented TE, Payton Hendershot whose ceiling is the limit. Many thought Hendershot would worthy of a draft pick. In any case, off-the-field issues devalued his draft stock.
Voila.
He's a Cowboy via the undrafted free agency.
Good pick up with Hendershot. It's like getting a free draft pick!
After Hendershot, we have Marquese Bell, who hasn't played perfectly. But he has played rather well at times, tackling along the line as well along the line and recording an interception while defending the pass.
It appears that Bell is another good signing who can not only make the team, but has potential to challenge the starters and push whichever player wins the spot through competition.
Brandon Smith is another player who has a shot to break the roster. He possesses enough talent that he could eventually earn some playing time. Thus far, he's recorded the two longest receptions throughout the preseason.
And don't count out James Houston. Many have reported about the chemistry he has after working with Dak Prescott in the offseason.
Honorable mentions for the 2022 UDFA class are: James Empey, Juanyeh Thomas, and Mika Tafau.
I think there's a good likelihood we see someone else's name other than Bell, Hendershot, Smith, Houston or Davis this year. But even with those five, that's quite a few players to be vying for a spot on an NFL team.
In most cases, that would have me worried. But this UDFA class is not lacking in talent. There's really a lot to unpack when you peel back the layers.
Veteran Players Developing Roles
The other thing I've noticed after watching the Dallas Cowboys in preseason was that a few of our rookies from last year are seemingly turning the corner this year.
We have Semi Fehoko. Fehoko and Brandon Smith looked like two most polished receivers out there. Without seeing it with my own eyes, I'll have to trust the word of reporters and other fans who attended the Cowboys' training camp who say Noah Brown had a good camp.
We didn't see him out there for even a snap, which can only lead us to conclude that Brown has already secured a starting role on offense, and he likely didn't play because the Cowboys didn't want to risk injury to a key player.
With that said, I'm looking forward to see how our second year players like Fehoko, Kelvin Joseph, Osa Odighizuwa, Chauncey Golston, Bohanna and Galloway play. I definitely noticed some improvement in Galloway and Bohanna. I'm almost positive Odighizuwa will improve on last year's performance.
And despite the fact we no longer have Tyron Smith, I think our running game improves.
I expect the Cowboys to lean on the 12 personnel sets and the creativity of Kellen Moore this year, who I happen to be a big fan of.
I see us as more of ball control, bully ball style of offense. We may not have the best play at left tackle, but then again, I'm optimistic that whatever we do we'll be able to get the run game going consistently since we seem to have a healthy stable of running backs.
Shampklin went out with an injury in preseason, so that may be a blessing in disguise because it allows you to keep him on the injured reserve list and play him after the second half of the season.
So, if I'm the Cowboys, I run the ball this year, and run it some more.
Driving the Bus, Slow and Steady
The Dallas Cowboys have Cee Dee Lamb, and players who can beat you deep like Fehoko and Hendershot, but I think their bread and butter will be setting teams up with the dink and dunk stuff, and letting our players beat you with their athleticism after the catch. Logic tells you that the longer Dak holds onto the ball, the more he's exposed to pressure.
So the Cowboys should perfect their short to medium range passing game, along with a heavy dose of the run game. If they do that, the longer range passes will come.
Overall, I would like to see the Cowboys using the pass to set up the run by going for high-percentage pass plays to get defenses thinking pass. If you can get them thinking pass first, then you'll have more success in with the run game.
Outlook
I'm optimistic for the season. I see the Cowboys anywhere from a 10-7 to a 12-5 team due to a much improved defense.
I would like to note that the defense was ranked number 8 in points allowed last year. To me, points allowed is the most important metric to ranking a defense.
I expect the Cowboys to be a top 5 defense in points allowed in 2022. If they're able to accomplish that, I like their chances at a playoff run.
Below is my guess at the 53, with a tad bit of my own biases inserted into the few roster spots that are up for grabs.
Quarterbacks (2)
Prescott
Grier (I still say Grier, but DiNucci turned it on tonight a little bit. I would poach Strong from the Eagles if I could.)
Running Backs (3)
Zeke
Pollard
Davis (Even though Shampklin may have outplayed him by a tad, I place him on PUP and see how Davis does.)
Receivers (6 for now until Gallup returns)
Lamb
Fehoko
Tolbert
Brown
Turpin (James Houston sounds nice, but there's not enough space for him behind Fehoko, Tolbert, Brown. What would he do when Gallup returns? In any case, you really don't need 7 receivers and you can get by with 6.
B. Smith
Tight Ends (3)
Schultz
Ferguson
Hendershot (More upside than McKeon, overall. Hendershot has an 8.4 RAS, so he's got more athleticism, even though he's a tad smaller. If Ferguson or Schultz get hurt, you still need a well-rounded TE and I think Hendershot is a more complete player, and likely a better STer, too. Place McKeon on the PS, as a veteran.)
Offensive Line (9)
Ball/Veteran Free Agent
T. Biadasz
T. Smith
Terence Steele
Zack
McGovern
Farniok
One of these two scenarios.
Empey (perhaps the Cowboys go with 2 back up centers, given the headache the middle of the OL was last year. Plus, Farniok can play guard. You can also release one when Gallup/Washington returns. If Farniok plays guard, Empey backs up at C. Then again, Empey probably doesn't make it.)
*Waletzko (swing tackle if healthy. If not, we'll have to find a vet and put Well let's go on PUP).
Cornerbacks (6)
Diggs
Bland
Brown
Joseph
Lewis
Wright
Safeties (4)
Kearse
Hooker
Bell
Mukuamu (Mukuamu is better than Wilson, in my opinion. And cheaper. Plus, do you really need 5 safeties?)
Defensive Ends (6)
D-law
Dorance
Fowler
Williams
Basham
Defensive Tackles (5)
Gallimore
Bohanna
Oddigy
Hill
Golston (It's either Golston or Ridgeway. I'll take Golston. I honestly don't like Ridgeway, whatsoever. Overrated.)
Linebackers (6)
Parsons
Barr
LVE
Cox (I could go Cox or Gifford here. Neither are very good at this point)
Harper
Jefferson (Could be Jackson, maybe Gifford)
Special Teams (3)
Anger
Kicker (hopefully not Maher, although it's him right now.)
McQuade
