ESPN’s Cowboys Roster Ranking Is Hard to Argue

I wanted to hate ESPN’s ranking for the Cowboys. Where the Cowboys roster got ranked sounds low based on the players on this roster.

This isn’t some busted group hoping to squeak out eight wins, but a team coming off a monumental let-down last season. Not because of the personnel, but because of the terrible play calling and coaching on the defensive side of the ball.

Once I got past the number given to the Cowboys, the write-up was harder to argue with than I wanted to admit. ESPN, for what it’s worth, didn’t just toss out a lazy take and move on. They hit on the same areas that can make this an interesting season.

Ranking the Cowboys 14th, might actually be about right in the grand scheme of things.

Wide Receiver Should Be the Strength

I have no issue with receiver being listed as the best part of the team.

When you have CeeDee Lamb as the engine, the offense has one of the best receivers in the NFL, you can’t count the offense out. Then you have George Pickens on the other side and the entire equation changes for a defense.

CeeDee brings the yard after catch while George Pickens brings contested catch ability. These two give Dak Prescott one of the best wide receiver tandems in the NFL and the world got to see it last year.

I agree with ESPN on this part.

The Cowboys passing game is going to be dangerous. If this receiver’s room is not one of the best in the NFL in 2026, something went horribly wrong.

The Cornerbacks Have the Most to Prove

I wanted to fight the cornerback label pretty bad, but I can’t really do it.

I like DaRon Bland, and the additions of Cobie Durant and Derion Kendrick. Then you add in young players like Shavon Revel Jr, Devin Moore, Caelen Carson, Reddy Steward, and Zion Childress.

There’s talent, but also a lot of risk.

Bland and Revel have to prove they are healthy. While Cobie Durant has to show he can make a tackle. The rest of the secondary cannot spend half the year trying to figure it out.

I can’t give credit where it hasn’t been earned and this group hasn’t earned anything yet.

So, the cornerback room being the weakness is fair, and I don’t know how anyone can argue with that.

Caleb Downs Is ESPN’s X Factor

ESPN said Caleb Downs will be the X factor and I think it’s the strongest part of the whole Cowboys section.

I don’t want him to walk onto the field week 1 thinking he has to be a superstar right away. He just needs to give this defense something it lacked last season; range, versatility, and a little calm when things get messy.

Christian Parker has a player in Caleb Downs to make his defense less predictable by having the ability to play two different positions at a high level.

I know Downs can help and if he does, this group starts looking different quickly.

ESPN Was Not Wrong

Do I still think 14 is low? Yes.

But it is not low enough to be disrespectful to the team and the players.

I would personally have Dallas a couple spots higher because the top-end talent is some of the best in the NFL, but the defense killed the team’s ranking.

This roster has teeth, but ESPN’s concern is easy to understand. They have the names on paper. Now the defense has to prove it on the grass.

I think if Bland is right, Pickens picks up where he left off, Downs grows fast, and the pass rush comes to life, Dallas will look better than the 14th-best roster.

If the secondary falls apart again, ESPN will look pretty smart.

I wanted badly to say they missed the mark on this one, but I think they are just being cautious.