Only one NFL team had less roster turnover than the Dallas Cowboys this offseason… what does that mean for Dallas in 2024?
We’re all hoping that 2024 will show improvement from the Cowboys over their last three seasons, particularly in terms of the playoffs. But if Dallas does reach new heights this year, it will have to be mostly their same cast. One source has the Cowboys with the second-lowest roster turnover of all NFL teams, meaning the front office’s “we like our guys” mentality will once again be put to the test.
Based on analysis from Over The Cap, Dallas is bringing back 73.8% of its 2023 players between the 53-man roster and practice squad. They’re tied with this week’s opponent, coincidentally, the Cleveland Browns, for the second-highest retention rate among all teams. Only the Indianapolis Colts have a higher rate at 81.7%. To put this in perspective, most other teams have about 58-65% of last year’s players returning with a few even lower than that.
This isn’t surprising after many spent the entire spring and summer decrying the Cowboys’ lack of free agent activity. While new pieces have come through the draft and a few modest signings, the core of the team is still very much the same as it was a year ago. Let’s run through the 14 roster changes quickly by position:
- QB: None
- RB: Ezekiel Eliott
- WR: Ryan Flournoy
- TE: John Stephens Jr., Brevyn Spann-Ford
- OL: Tyler Guyton, Cooper Beebe
- DE: Marshawn Kneeland
- DT: Jordan Phillips, Linval Joseph
- LB: Eric Kendricks, DeMarvion Overshown, Marist Liufau
- CB: Caelen Carson, Andrew Booth Jr.
- S: None
- ST: None
Not all of these are entirely “new” players for Dallas from last year. Stephens and Overshown were both injured in the 2023 preseason and did not return from IR, so Sunday will be their regular-season debuts. They technically count in how OTC derived their numbers for this study. But the rest of these are newcomers either as rookies or free agent signings, including Zeke after his one-year hiatus.
A couple of these new faces probably wouldn’t be here if not for recent circumstances. DaRon Bland’s injury opened a spot at cornerback which made it easier Booth to stick around, otherwise he might be on the practice squad. The Cowboys also have a roster exemption right now for CeeDee Lamb because of how long his holdout lasted. Without that, either Flournoy or Spann-Ford would probably not be here.
One of the keys for Dallas in 2024 will be how these changes help or hurt the roster. Everyone’s high on the changes at linebacker, both in new personnel and how our new defensive coordinator will utilize them. The infusions of veteran talent at defensive tackle should increase depth and mitigate developmental delay from Mazi Smith.
On the other hand, two rookie starters on the offensive line are a legitimate concern. Even if Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe are destined to join the legacy of great Cowboys linemen, thinking they’ll immediately match the skill levels of the departed Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz is very dangerous. Growing pains will happen, and it’s just a matter of how much damage they cause.
While these changes matter and will impact the upcoming season, the core is still your same All-Pro talent. Dak Prescott, Micah Parsons, CeeDee Lamb, Zack Martin, Tyler Smith, Trevon Diggs; they’re all still here and the foundation of whatever the Cowboys will bring to the table.
The problem for Dallas right now is assessing the value of its own continuity. Three consecutive 12-win seasons is a great reason to keep the band together. Three-straight disappointing playoff exists, especially last year’s against the Packers, is a valid reason to blow it up. The Cowboys have clearly decided to give the current crew one more year before taking any drastic steps, with head coach and quarterback (unless a deal is reached) being the key areas for potential change.
Does the front office truly believe in this year’s roster or are they just riding this out until it’s more financially beneficial to hit the reset button? Whatever their motivation, the Dallas Cowboys are going into 2024 with the fewest personnel changes of all but one other NFL team. Will their internal familiarity promote chemistry and success, or will it perpetuate the same old issues and failures?