Cowboys' offense to undergo these 5 changes in 2024 (2024)

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, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Courtney Culbreath/Getty Images)

The Cowboys struggled on early downs in 2023. With a success rate of 46% and an EPA/play of 0.42, they managed a top-10 ranking, but it was disappointing given their league-leading third down offense which posted a 53.7% success rate and a .383 EPA/play.

Given the turnover on the offensive line, the Cowboys can’t afford to rely on third downs like they used to. Obvious passing situations are plays when even veteran pass protection gets exposed. New pieces at left tackle and center are expected to struggle and likely to result in a fairly porous and unpredictable effort, for at least a portion of the year.

Avoiding third downs will be key since the vast majority of third downs are considered passing situations. McCarthy can’t afford for his offense to waste early down opportunities and will have to begin each new set of downs aggressively.

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With Michael Gallup now in Las Vegas, the Cowboys are no longer a three-headed beast at WR and may now look for their tight end group to take on a bigger role. Because of struggles behind Jake Ferguson on the depth chart, 12 personnel was only used 13.9% of the time in 2023.

Drafted in the second round of the 2023 draft, Luke Schoonmaker is hoping to be the player that benefits the most. The second-year TE is expected to be fully recovered from ailments that held him back this spring. His involvement on offense would add an extra blocker to the mix and help the Cowboys survive the expected slippage in pass protection.

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An effective screen game is a great way to stave off aggressive pass rushers. The Cowboys rarely ran screen plays in 2023 despite being one of the best in the NFL at it. Since offensive linemen inevitably play a key role on screens, Dallas will be at the mercy of the new additions but it’s nothing they can’t handle.

Assuming the Cowboys two athletic rookies, Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe, win starting spots, Dallas should be well equipped to execute the screen game effectively.

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The Cowboys were a quick strike team in 2023. Prescott’s average time to throw (TTT) of 2.72 seconds ranked as one of the fastest in the NFL. It was presumably a calculated effort to keep the pressure off of Terence Steele at right tackle, who was returning from a rather significant knee injury suffered just months prior.

The Cowboys will have to double efforts in 2024 with Steele again appearing to be a wild card in pass protection and Guyton making his NFL debut at LT. More 12 personnel will help blocking efforts, as will roll-outs and play-action, but it’s imperative the offense keeps the average TTT as low as possible if they want Dak Prescott to survive the season.

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The Cowboys skill positions were previously dominated by the headliners of the respective units. Tony Pollard was the clear alpha at running back, Jake Ferguson was arguably the only competent option at TE and the Gallup locked down the WR3 spot.

In 2024 it will look much more like a committee approach at these positions. Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott will likely split the bulk of the carries at RB. Schoonmaker will make a bid for more TE snaps. And if Tolbert can’t seize full possession early, an entire committee may step up to fill Gallup’s shoes at WR.

Expect loads of personnel changes from down-to-down and varying packages and specialties as a result.