It is safe to say expectations are low for the Dallas Cowboys in 2024.
The front office has left countless positions on the roster weakened and their refusal to extend some of their top players is costing them millions.
Dallas has brought in just one outside free agent, with veteran Linebacker Eric Kendricks.
Meanwhile, too many in-house starters and depth pieces have jumped ship to other organizations.
In the NFC East, it is almost impossible to win the division in back-to-back seasons.
No team has done it since the Eagles from 2001-2004.
Considering the Cowboys are the reigning champ, it might be especially tough for them to walk away from 2024 with NFC East champion hats.
That said, jobs are on the line in Dallas this season.
Lots of coaches and players know this could be their last shot to prove their long-term worth, especially the ones who are in the last years of their contracts.
So, what can the Cowboys do to exceed their low expectations in the 2024 season?
Let’s talk about it.
Get MVP Season out of Dak Prescott
It is going to pain some to admit, but, Dak Prescott had the best year of his career in 2023.
Not to mention, it was the best statistical season of any quarterback in the league, which is why he finished second in MVP voting.
The season did not end the way anybody wanted, but that does not change the fact that Prescott had an elite season in 2023, and the team desperately needs him to replicate it.
It is far from uncommon that the runner-up in MVP voting ends up winning it the next season.
While winning the award should not be the barometer for the Cowboys’ success in 2024, having a similar or better season than the last is crucial for Prescott.
The question is whether the surrounding offense is good enough to make that happen.
That side of the ball is reeling after free agency, with huge holes on the offensive line, running back, and wide receiver.
Lucky for the team, they have a chance to fill some of those weaknesses.
The NFL Draft is coming, and it seems possible the team will draft an offensive lineman and running back with their first two picks.
If they do that, Prescott is going to have an adequate offense to make a playoff push.
It is a major ask for the veteran quarterback to have a second career year in a row.
Especially when his supporting cast is clearly weaker.
However, a stellar season (and postseason) from Prescott may be the only way for the team to negate the negativity that is surrounding the organization.
I think it is fair to say a repeat of Prescott’s 2023 regular season, or an improvement, would result in exceeded expectations for the Cowboys in 2024.
2023 Draft Class Revival
It is hard for any team to succeed in a season where they get virtually no contributions from their rookie draft class.
That is exactly what the Cowboys did in 2023.
Winning 12 games and the NFC East when their best rookies were UDFA Full Back, Hunter Luepke, and UDFA Kicker, Brandon Aubrey, was a major accomplishment.
First-round pick Mazi Smith had just 9 solo tackles, second-rounder Luke Schoonmaker caught just 8 passes, and third-rounder DeMarvion Overshown blew out his knee before his season could ever get started.
Smith in particular proved very little about his NFL prospects in his rookie year, and is needs to become a proven commodity next season.
The rest of the class did not produce much either, but they will need to in 2024.
With the roster taking a step back, it is time for the 2023 draft class to take a step up.
Smith and Schoonmaker need to show they are not busts, and Overshown needs to become a major part of the defense.
Guys like Viliami Fehoko, Eric Scott Jr, Deuce Vaughn, and Jalen Brooks should have increased roles as well.
If Dallas gets a revival season from their 2023 class, the roster will look a lot better than it does now.
Mike Zimmer Masterclass
One of the main reasons for the Cowboys’ postseason disaster against the Packers was the complete disappearance of Dan Quinn and the defense.
Blown coverage, missed assignments, shotty effort, it was all bad.
Quinn did not have his guys ready and it showed.
With new Defensive Coordinator, Mike Zimmer, returning to Dallas, it is on him to make sure that kind of performance does not happen again.
The Cowboys have all the tools to have a really good defense, but it just feels like they can’t put those pieces together.
Zimmer can do that, and he will need to for Dallas to have a good season.
He’s been given one of his own with Kendricks, and he has a perennial DPOY candidate in Micah Parsons.
With some expected additions in the draft, it is fair to say the Cowboys have a solid defense on paper.
If Zimmer can take his group and make them better, it could be a fruitful hiring.
There is a lot to prove for the Cowboys in 2024, and there is work that needs to be done for them to exceed expectations.
There is no question they can do it.
But, it will take an extended effort by Prescott, their young guys, and the coaching staff.