As we enter the summer months with the NFL draft now over, we have to try and pass the time until September rolls around.
I really enjoy reading Pro Football Focus and the content they put out.
About a week ago they released the top 30 players who will be age 30 or older when week 1 of the season begins.
The Dallas Cowboys had two of those players on the list. One on offense and one on defense.
Dak Prescott
Yes, say what you want, I understand it. He needs to show up in the playoffs. Let me start by saying I COMPLETELY agree with you.
Nonetheless, Dak Prescott was listed at the 18th best player who will be 30 and over by the start of the 2024 season by PFF.
Here is what they had to say about him.
“Prescott turned in the best season of his career in 2023, with a 90.3 overall grade.”
“The only thing holding him back is season-to-season inconsistency and playoff struggles.”
“If he can put it together against the best competition, Prescott can rise up these rankings.”
Everything said above is 100% true.
Look around the league, let’s just be happy we have a quarterback who can at least get to the playoffs. A lot of teams have putrid QB play.
DeMarcus Lawrence
DLaw has been one of the most consistent players for the Cowboys defense since he got drafted to big D.
He doesn’t get enough flowers for the impact he makes every single season. We all want to focus on the negative and never the positive that players bring. Most people, anyway. Just check social media.
Here is what PFF had to say about the former Boise State Bronco.
“Lawrence often gets overlooked because of the utter dominance of teammate Micah Parsons.”
“That’s a mistake, as his 91.2 grade in 2023 was one of the best among edge defenders and he has earned an 88.2-plus PFF grade in six of the past seven years.”
88.2 PFF grade in six of the last seven years? That is the definition of consistency. This is a big season for this Cowboys defense.
With Mike Zimmer now calling the plays, I think they will be more physical up front.
DLaw is going to play a huge role in stopping the run. Something they struggled with as a team under Dan Quinn.
Let’s appreciate the greatness we’ve gotten with him, because he very well could be with another team next season or maybe even call it a career.
Exceptions for 2024?
As I’ve looked at the Cowboys schedule over and over again, the slate they have to start the season is tough, but they finish with a flurry of home games.
I think if they can weather the storm early and come out even one game over .500 I think they can get to 10 wins.
That should be good enough for a playoff spot.
Let’s not forget that they have indeed won 12 games the last two season, and although they didn’t get better in the offseason, they still have 4 All-Pros from a year ago.
This team I think has one more chance with Mike McCarthy and Prescott if they can’t get to at least an NFC title game they both may be out.
I hope CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons get new deals. Dallas is going to play around and wait to long for Lamb.
Justin Jefferson is going to get paid and Lamb is going to ask for even more. Not a smart idea on Cowboys part.
This has been the story all offseason, and it will continue to be until they get these deals done, that way we don’t have to worry about it anymore.