No team scored more points per game (29.9) than Dallas last season, and only four teams allowed more points per game (18.5) than the Cowboys. Thanks to nine interceptions and a record five touchdowns from cornerback DaRon Bland, the team allowed opponents 299.7 yards per game, the fifth-fewest in the league last year.

Of course, Dallas was largely without the services of cornerback Trevon Diggs, who tore his ACL in practice after playing in just two games last season. Fortunately, the former All-Pro is expected to be fit for the regular season.

Floor: 6-11

The same cannot be said for Bland, who recently suffered a stress fracture in his foot that will require surgery. He will need six to eight weeks to recover while the Cowboys face teams such as Baltimore, Cleveland, Detroit and San Francisco in his absence.

Tony Pollard, the team’s best runner in 2023, will also be out after signing a three-year, $21.75 million deal with Tennessee in the offseason. He will be replaced by former Cowboy and ex-Patriot Ezekiel Elliott, the third-leading runner in franchise history.

Unfortunately, Elliott’s better days are long behind him. After being released by the Cowboys, the 29-year-old running back set career lows in carries (184), yards (642), yards per carry (3.5) and touchdowns (3) with the Patriots last season.

Backup running back Rico Dowdle will certainly have more than the 89 carries he had in 2023, but with just 385 yards and two touchdowns over the past three seasons, the team may have to get creative with running the ball in 2024.

That responsibility falls to head coach Mike McCarthy, who took over play-calling duties last season but hasn’t signed a contract beyond 2024. As long as the team is winning games, he’ll be fine, but if the Cowboys get off to a slow start, his lame duck status could become a distraction.

The Cowboys open their regular season on Sunday, September 8, away against the Cleveland Browns.