Cowboys get perfect “way-too-early” ESPN ranking

You know what time of the year it is, the most boring time of the year, where all the topics dry up for not just us, but every single place that talks football.

That means we result to having some fun with posts like this one, and as I was doing my normal routine, I saw ESPN drop their first “way-too-early” power rankings, and honestly, the Cowboys are exactly where they should be.

Now before I get into it, let’s remember everyone it is MAY, and this will change, be updated, and look a lot different by the time September gets here, but as of right now, I think they have Dallas in the perfect spot.

The Cowboys didn't make any real moves on offense this offseason. They are just running things back.

But the way the offense could become even better in 2026 is if Flournoy takes a big step up in Year 3. https://t.co/dnSV8sQRV4

— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) May 6, 2026

Middle Of The Pack

As of today, ESPN has the Cowboys slotted in the power rankings at No. 16, the 8th best team in the NFC, one spot away from making a playoff spot, but that will change.

The NFC teams ranked ahead of them are the Lions, Bears, 49ers, Packers, Eagles, Rams and defending Super Bowl champs, the Seattle Seahawks.

I think Dallas is exactly where they should be with the offseason and draft that they had. Regardless of what their schedule looks like, this team with the worst defense in football a year ago won seven games.

If you don’t think about the improvements that they made, the defense still has some glaring issues. They are better today than they were at any point a season ago.

I was on the wrong side of this as well, but just think about this for a moment. In the end, the Dallas Cowboys traded Micah Parsons and got four brand-new starters on the defense.

They now have Kenny Clark, Rashan Gary, Caleb Downs and Jerry Jones. He was not given enough credit for trading for probably the third-best defensive tackle in football in the middle of last year, Quinnen Williams. He was first for nearly three or four years in a row.

You can make the argument for guys like Dexter Lawrence and Chris Jones, but Williams has been with the Jets his entire career, so.

I feel like myself included downplay how big of a trade for him that was, clearing planning for this year and not last.

Either way, when you look at the above list, I think it is the perfect spot for Dallas, they are middle of the pack in the NFL after the draft and offseason thus far.

George Pickens signed his tag, so the offense outside one spot on the offensive line will do what they did a year ago, and the defense should be better.

.@Chris_Broussard: “Right now, nothing’s official…I have got the Cowboys winning the NFC East.”@getnickwright: “I don’t think the Cowboys have 14-win upside, but if Philly is closer to their floor than their ceiling, I think 10 wins can win the division.” pic.twitter.com/dunUVPLyez

— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) May 5, 2026

I know it is not on par, but Dallas should have as good a chance as any of the others outside the Rams and Seattle to make the playoffs.

Winning the NFC East is totally possible, the Eagles are going to have another new offensive system and lost four starters on defense. That is a major issue.

The Giants will be better, but new head coach and can Jaxton Dart and the others hold up enough? That can be said about Dallas also, but this, to me, is the best spot to have Dallas in May before all the summer offseason programs start.

Again, it is May and things will change, but as long as everything stays the course from now until August and September, Dallas should only move up this list one or two spots, but you know how this team is and somehow Jerry Jones will find some drama when the team current has none to worry about!