Getty Images
The Dallas Cowboys walked away from the 2015 NFL Draft with an impressive haul of players, most significantly shown by them landing the talented but troubled Randy Gregory in the second round. But their draft strategy was a bit puzzling — despite more obvious needs for offensive playmakers the team focused on their defense and offensive line. For me, I think you’re going to see a different Cowboy team than we saw in 2014.
Without a doubt, and no matter how they try to play it off, losing DeMarco Murray to the rival Philadelphia Eagles was a big blow to the Cowboys’ offense. Murray was a talented player who not only held up to the ridiculous amount of carries he got, he made the most of them and became the engine of the offense. So his departure sent many into thinking that despite the signing of Darren McFadden, the Cowboys would address the running back position in the draft.
But that didn’t happen. Neither did the belief that the team would find a new receiver to potentially upgrade over Terrance Williams. It seems odd that the team would rely on McFadden and Williams to step their games up in 2015 when neither of them were much of a factor for their offenses last season, but the Cowboys are going to try to win games differently this year.
Gone is the strategy of controlling the clock with a strong running game sprinkled in with big plays to Dez Bryant — you can’t do that with McFadden and his lengthy, frequent injury history. Instead, I think the Cowboys are going to try to win games with their defense. They’re banking big on Byron Jones and Gregory. Instead of essentially playing keep away with Murray, there is going to be a more balanced Cowboys offense, and a defense that on paper should be better built to keep the score down.
In theory, that strategy keeps the team from leaning too hard on the fragile McFadden. It also allows them to stick somewhat to their formula from last season. By and large the Cowboys’ defense was hidden last year with a dominant Murray, but they can’t do that this year. So the hope is their 2015 draft class will beef the defense up enough to offset his loss. Don’t expect the same Cowboys you saw last year. Losing Murray hurts more than anyone realizes.
Doug Green is a Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com covering the Philadelphia Eagles and the NFL. Follow him on Twitter @DGreenNFL.
