Where would you rank the Dallas Cowboys projected starters across the rest of the NFL? Take a minute and think about it. Obviously you know how the worldwide leader ranked them. Before we move on it is important for us each to set our own expectations for what we think is fair and what we think isn’t.
You are well aware that ESPN ranked Dallas as right around average. This happened this week when ESPN launched a ranking of all projected starters across the NFL. The Cowboys came in at number 14 and here is what ESPN had to say about them in certain respects.
Biggest strength: Wide receiver. Similar to last year, we’ll focus on a wide receiver room that helped the Cowboys lead the NFL in passing yards in 2025. It starts with CeeDee Lamb, who, despite missing five games over the past two years, has delivered 1,000-plus receiving yards in five consecutive seasons. Since entering the league in 2020, Lamb sits in the top five in receptions (571) and receiving yards (7,416). George Pickens is fresh off a breakout 2025 season (his first in Dallas) in which he finished no lower than seventh among wide receivers in catches, receiving yardage, touchdowns and yards per target. Ryan Flournoy and versatile KaVontae Turpin add depth. — Clay
Biggest weakness: Cornerback. Dallas doesn’t have many major problem areas, so an unproven cornerback room is the biggest red flag. This area must be better after the Cowboys finished last in defensive EPA, allowed a 58.4 QBR (29th) and generated only six INTs in 2025. DaRon Bland battled injuries in 2025 but remains the clear star of this group. Ex-Rams Cobie Durant and Derion Kendrick were added this offseason and will battle second-year man Shavon Revel Jr. (last among CBs in PFF grade in 2025), fourth-round rookie Devin Moore and others for starting roles. — Clay
X factor for 2026: Safety Caleb Downs. The Cowboys need defensive playmaking to come from somewhere. Perhaps Donovan Ezeiruaku or Malachi Lawrence can deliver pressure from the edge. Maybe Bland can haul in a bunch of interceptions again. But if there’s going to be a long-term, positive change to this defense, it could come from Downs — for whom the Cowboys traded up to select at No. 11. If he can help make the Cowboys simply an average defense, watch out. — Walder
Nonstarter to know: Turpin. We know he’s one of the best kick return men in the NFL, but Turpin has also been extremely useful as a depth receiver, with receiving DVOA over 15.0% in two of the past three seasons. Last season, he caught 26 passes for 396 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 2.3 YAC over expectation. — Schatz
This is mostly fair. Wide receiver is certainly the team’s biggest strength and cornerback is by far the biggest weakness. That should set up for some, um, battles throughout training camp.
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It also feels fair to categorize Caleb Downs as the team’s true X-Factor. If he can have a catalytic rookie season like we have seen before (Zack Martin, Ezekiel Elliott, Dak Prescott, Micah Parsons, etc.) then it could provide a rising tide effect for all involved.
Would we really say that KaVontae Turpin is the nonstarter to know, though? I don’t know about that, but we are admittedly quibbling here.
And to be clear, this is a ranking of all projected starters so depth is not really of value (for the exercise). The defense has players who are significantly better than what was on paper last year, but that isn’t saying much. The talent on offense can only go so far if it is carrying something more porous on the other side.
If you are curious, here are the 13 teams ranked ahead of Dallas by ESPN:
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Do you agree that all of those teams should be ahead of Dallas? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments below.
