The Dallas Cowboys are in the midst of a disappointing season as the team is currently just 5-8 and third in the NFC East, marking a clear indication that the current roster needs upgrades before it is ready to compete at a high level.
Both the offense and defense will have positions of need entering the upcoming offseason and the franchise will have the opportunity to make meaningful changes to a roster that won 12 games in each of the previous three seasons.
Here are two positions on offense in which the Cowboys will have to improve during the 2024 offseason to make a significant playoff run during the 2025 NFL season:
Running Back
Running back was one of the most discussed positions for the Cowboys entering the 2024 season, and the results from the current running back room were incredibly disappointing for the first portion of the year.
Rico Dowdle has established himself as the clear leader in the Cowboys’ running back room after putting up 329 rushing yards and one touchdown in the three games since being named the official starter.
Dowdle has shown massive improvement after beginning the first nine weeks of the season with an expected yards per carry of just -0.38 yards per attempt, with those numbers climbing up to an impressive 0.42 rushing yards over expected per attempt, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.
However, the Cowboys could still benefit from adding another player to the running back room due to the lack of depth at the position with Dowdle proving to be the only running back on the roster who can sustain a high number of snaps.
The most likely players to be added to the Cowboys roster are those who will be available in the draft, with the Cowboys likely looking to select a running back during one of the middle rounds.
Although Dallas could opt for taking a larger swing on a high-profile running back such as Ashton Jeanty, the most likely scenario involves the Cowboys selecting a player in one of the later rounds.
Players such as Kaleb Johnson, Quinshon Judkins, and Omarion Hampton could each fill important roles on the Cowboys without requiring a first-round draft pick, making them potential options for a team that needs reinforcements at the position.
Wide Receiver
The second most important offensive upgrade desired by the Cowboys is at wide receiver, as the team desperately needs a secondary receiver who can complement Ceedee Lamb in the future.
While Brandin Cooks is currently the Cowboys’ secondary receiver alongside Lamb, he has struggled to stay healthy at times and the franchise could decide to move on from the 31-year-old receiver during the offseason.
The potential departure of Cooks would leave a massive hole in the receiving room that cannot be filled by anyone who is currently on the team, as multiple players have seemingly attempted to fill the void but could not sustain the production needed from a number two receiver.
Jalen Tolbert was looked at as a player who could fill in for Cooks during his extended absence this season, but the third-year receiver demonstrated that he is not prepared to take on a larger role in the offense.
Tolbert has managed to collect just 451 receiving yards and four touchdowns this season despite a career-high of 64 targets with both Cooks and tight end Jake Ferguson missing time with injuries.
These struggles indicate that Tolbert is not prepared to be the secondary receiving option in an explosive option, though he could still play a role on the team as the third receiver next year.
While some of these issues could be attributed to quarterback Dak Prescott missing time with a hamstring injury, the Cowboys will still have to pursue an upgrade at the position for next season.
Potential free agents that the Cowboys could look into signing may include Keenan Allen, DeAndre Hopkins, or Stefon Diggs, but the most realistic option will come from a cheaper and younger option.
In a similar manner to the Cowboys’ needs at running back, the most likely addition to the wide receiving room will come from the franchise selecting a player in the draft.
Players such as Luther Burden III, Isaiah Bond, Emeka Egbuka, and Pat Bryant could all step into a major role on the Cowboys and provide an impact on the team during their rookie seasons.
As a result, the Cowboys will have to decide whether to invest in the position through free agency or the upcoming draft.