The 2024 NFL Season is rapidly approaching. The season kicks off on Thursday, September 5 and every day through Monday, September 2 we’ll be going team-by-team as we preview the new season. Be sure to come back here every afternoon as we look at a new team and get your ready for the 2024 season. We’ll cover off-season changes, the fantasy prospects, and the prediction for how the team will fare this season.

The Cowboys had a near dream season in 2023…right up until the end. The team produced big numbers with Head Coach Mike McCarthy at the offensive helm. The defense did its thing and the Cowboys played hard to the end—eclipsing the Eagles to win the NFC East and land the No. 2 seed in the playoffs. Things were set for a run toward a Super Bowl title, then the Cowboys hit a speed bump. The young Green Bay Packers came to Dallas and laid the wood to the Cowboys, knocking them out without so much as a playoff win. Now, with a team that lost a host of veterans, can the Cowboys rebound in 2024? Let’s dive in.

Off-Season Changes

McCarthy is breaking in a new Defensive Coordinator this year in Mike Zimmer after Dan Quinn took over the Washington Commanders. But it wasn’t just coaches that the team lost. Starting running back Tony Pollard headed to Tennessee, while Michael Gallup signed with the Raiders before retiring. La’el Collins went to Buffalo, Tyler Baidasz went to the Commanders and Tyron Smith went to the Jets, meaning the team lost three star offensive linemen. The Cowboys also saw defensive lineman Dante Fowler, Jr., head to the Commanders while Johnathan Hankins headed to Seattle.

In free agency, the team was somewhat quiet. The team did add linebacker Eric Kendricks and defensive end Carl Lawson on defense. The biggest signing was bringing back Ezekiel Elliott to lead the backfield. In his year away in New England, Elliott led the Patriots’ rushing attack. He had 642 rushing yards and three touchdowns, catching 51 passes for two more touchdowns. His return was a bright spot for the Cowboys’ off-season.

In the draft, it was about building up areas of need. The team grabbed tackle Tyler Guyton and guard Cooper Beebe to boost the Offensive Line. On defense, the team used a Second-Round pick on Marshawn Kneeland to boost the pass rush. Later, the Cowboys added linebacker Marist Liufau.

Fantasy Prospects

In addition to not having much cap space for free agents, the Cowboys’ off-season has featured contract issues for quarterback Dak Prescott and receiver CeeDee Lamb. The Cowboys have indicated a desire to re-sign both, but neither has of yet. Prescott is in camp and seems locked in to play at the team’s starter. He was a QB1 last year and I expect him to be in a similar position this year.

In the backfield, Elliott figures to team with Rico Dowdle. I like Elliott as the lead back in the RB3 range, with Dowdle in the RB4/Flex range. Lamb has yet to report, but I suspect he’ll play this season. He was WR1 in 2023 and I think he can repeat the feat. The only other receiver of note is Brandin Cooks, who I like in the WR3/4 range. At tight end, Jake Ferguson put up TE1 numbers in 2023 and I think he will again in 2024.

Prediction

The Cowboys have had strong finishes under McCarthy but little playoff success. This might be the weakest team McCarthy has had, and a key injury to Prescott or Lamb could doom them. Still, I think they can get to 10 wins and make the playoffs, but I’m not optimistic about the Cowboys making much of a post-season run.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.