Pass catchers talk is the talk of the 2018 Dallas Cowboys offseason. How wouldn't it be with Dez Bryant being cut and Terrance Williams being in trouble? Not to mention the retirement of 15-year veteran and future Hall of Famer Jason Witten?
It's a new era for America's Team. If everything works out according to plan, an era that will be led by Quarterback Dak Prescott. Hopefully, it's one in which the Cowboys will get back to glory and bring home the much-desired sixth Lombardi Trophy.
A 12-4 record and the #1 seed in the NFC had almost everyone in Cowboys Nation content with #4. However, a rocky 2017 season and a 9-7 record resulted in tough criticism for the second year QB. Although he showed signs of improvement as the team's passer, the team's performance through Ezekiel Elliott's suspension and Tyron Smith's injury earned Dak Prescott a ton of “haters.”
Heading into his third year in the NFL, Prescott has a ton to prove. It's time to show whether or not he's the future of the franchise. A good year and he'll probably see a juicy extension soon. A bad year and the front office may find themselves re-evaluating the position for 2019.
Plenty of challenges will be on the way of Dak, including facing the defending Super Bowl Champions twice this season.
Perhaps the biggest challenge for the young signal-caller will be the players he's throwing to. During his first two seasons, Prescott has been mainly throwing the football to the same guys. His main targets in the span of two seasons have been Jason Witten, Dez Bryant, Cole Beasley and Terrance Williams.
Witten and Bryant are both out of the picture now. Williams just might be in the future. He's job in Dallas was relatively safe because his contract really provided job security. However, after bringing in a ton of wide receivers in the offseason, he has to earn himself a spot.
Unfortunately for him, he's sitting out for offseason practices due to a foot injury. On top of that, we all know how T-Will got into trouble last week. You see, even before the accident, he arguably was the fourth best WR on the team, with Hurns, Gallup and Beasley over him.
If a suspension does come, Williams will likely be released since his guaranteed money will take a hit. The Cowboys may decide to stick with him, but with the receivers they have on the roster, they may want to use the roster spot on somebody else.
Let's say T-Will is ultimately released. That'll take away three targets that have always been there through Prescott's short career. In order to have a truly successful 2018, he'll have to overcome the absence of these guys and adapt to the new faces. Even if he isn't cut, he likely won't be a starter.
Allen Hurns and Michael Gallup are both expected to start once the season takes off. On the tight end side of things, the starting role is still up for grabs. Whether it's Dalton Schultz, Blake Jarwin, Geoff Swaim or even Rico Gathers remains unknown. The point is, it won't be Jason Witten.
In a year in which Dak has to prove he's the franchise quarterback this team needs, doing so with some of his main targets gone could make things a bit harder… or perhaps not.
At the end of the day, the receivers they brought in are supposed to be the kind of receivers they want on the so-called Dak-friendly offense. Prescott recently pointed out that he doesn't think a team needs a #1 WR.
If the team's plan works out and these receivers are better for a Dak-led offense and the identity they want to take as an offensive unit, the receiving corps should be seen as an upgrade rather than a downgrade. Of course, Witten is the exception. Even still, maybe they try new things with a younger TE lined up.
The new era the Cowboys are about to go into hinges on the success of this offense. Hopefully, both the receivers and the quarterback are able to step up. Let's get excited about it.
