Dallas has good vibes heading into training camp at the end of the month. No drama, Jerry Jones has been radio silent, and that's an unusual feeling for them. But don't let the quiet fool you. Despite the lack of outside noise, there are some serious on-field questions swirling for the Cowboys, and these issues could sting them early this season.
Linebacker Depth Is a Real Problem
Look, the Cowboys are thin at linebacker and they absolutely need a bump in talent. Seriously, no one is sure how veteran Rashan Gary or Donovan Ezeiruaku, who's coming off hip surgery, will get utilized in Christian Parker's scheme. If those guys are mostly at the line of scrimmage, the defense is just short at linebacker. DeMarvion Overshown and Dee Winters are the two key players who will take most of the snaps. Overshown has proven himself when healthy, and a lot of folks are calling for him to be a breakout star in Parker's defense. Winters looks like a smart acquisition, too. But here's the kicker: Overshown and Winters are similar players. The Dallas defense really needs more of a thumper in the middle, someone who can actually help stop the run. Trading for Dolphins All-Pro Jordyn Brooks or signing veteran Bobby Wagner would make so much sense. Shemar James and Justin Barron are also on the depth chart, along with rookie Jaishawn Barham, but a rookie's learning curve shouldn't stop them from adding another option. There's versatility, sure, but those linebacker questions are totally valid.The Pass Rush Has No Dominant Edge
You wanna win in the NFL? You gotta disrupt the quarterback. And right now, there are serious concerns about the Cowboys' ability to do that with their current personnel. They've got some good pass rushers, but where's the dominant edge rusher? Gary had 7.5 sacks last season, which is decent, but guess what? He didn't record a single one of those in the entire second half of the season. Ouch. Ezeiruaku had trouble finishing as a rookie, and their returning sack leader, James Houston, only had 5.5 sacks last year. They did draft Malachi Lawrence in the first round and brought back Sam Williams, who should fit Parker's scheme better. But honestly, there isn't much firepower on the edges. The team is just counting on Gary becoming a double-digit sack guy, hoping Ezeiruaku makes a massive jump, and banking on rookie Lawrence to contribute right away. They're buying into the idea that the sum of these edge rushing parts will collectively get after the QB effectively. That just feels like a ton of wishful thinking to me, and it's something to worry about big time as camp gets started.Starting Offensive Tackles Need Consistency
The interior of the Cowboys' offensive line? Among the best in the league, no doubt. But the tackles are a definite concern. Left tackle Tyler Guyton showed improvement in Year Two, which is great. The problem is injuries kept him from truly thriving or making that big leap they needed. The ability is there with Guyton, but he absolutely needs to stay healthy and find some real consistency. Fellow bookend Terrence Steele's situation isn't much better, and that's just adding to the anxiety. The vibe might be chill in Dallas right now, but these on-field worries are real. With training camp hitting at the end of the month, the Cowboys need to figure out some answers fast. Can they find that thumper? Will the pass rush finally show up for a full season? The pressure is on to turn "wishful thinking" into actual results.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.