10 things you need to know about the Dallas Cowboys heading into the 2020 season
So you think you know a lot about the Dallas Cowboys? Well, did you do know that they won’t have season-long captains, the team’s 2020 draft class has reason to puff out their collective chest and the coaching staff has achieved something that no other NFL team has done this century. Here are 10 things you need to know about the Dallas Cowboys heading into the 2020 season.
1. From Zack’s dollars to Dak’s dollars? The Cowboys are continuing to restructure deals to add to a warchest for a possible contract extension for quarterback Dak Prescott. They restructured RG Zack Martin’s deal earlier this week, freeing up $8 million, sources have confirmed. If they don’t use that money on a player this year then it will be carried over to next year. The Cowboys did the same with DE DeMarcus Lawrence on Friday, signing him to one year voidable extension, converting his $15 million 2020 base salary to a signing bonus to clear $12 million in cap room. They did the same with LT Tyron Smith earlier in camp, creating $6.7 million in space.
2. Don’t put Randy Gregory on your fantasy team, yet. The Cowboys’ defensive end will not be eligible to play until Oct. 19 after being conditionally reinstated by the NFL from an indefinite suspension. But he won’t be a one-and-done player with the Cowboys, as the team extended his contract through the 2021 season. The new deal includes a $200,000 signing bonus. Gregory can make up to $2.1 million next season.
3. Hello, my name is Trysten Hill. The Cowboys’ 2019 second-round pick had been a disappointment, but he’s making a good first impression with the new staff. He has filled in for the injured Gerald McCoy to earn a starting spot at defensive tackle. Hill has shown growth and maturity while flashing some of play-making potential that prompted the Cowboys to draft in him in the first place.
4. Hello, my name is Brandon Carr. The Cowboys signed veteran defensive back to the practice squad and could sign him to the roster before Sunday’s season opener against the Rams. If he is on the roster Week 1 as a vested veteran his full salary would be guaranteed. So look for the team to wait until Week 2 to play him, barring an emergency.
5. Is CeeDee Lamb really going to return punts? The Cowboys have Cedrick Wilson listed as the primary punt returner on the initial depth chart for the Rams game, but it is officially unofficial. Exciting rookie top pick CeeDee Lamb is slated to return punts with Tony Pollard as the primary kick returner, according to Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones.
6. Empty at fullback. There is no fullback on the Cowboys roster, but there are four tight ends in Blake Jarwin, Dalton Schultz, Blake Bell and Sean McKeon. Schultz will serve as the fullback when the offense goes to 12 personnel, requiring a lead blocker for star running back Ezekiel Elliott.
7. Congrats to the Cowboys Class of 2020! Dallas had all seven draft picks make the initial 53-man roster for Week 1, which is the first time that has happened since 2013 and the eighth since the 1989 season when Jerry Jones purchased the team and became the general manager. Look for receiver CeeDee Lamb and cornerback Trevon Diggs to play the biggest roles as opening day starters.
8. Aldon Smith will serve as a rush linebacker. Aldon Smith is listed as the starter at strong side linebacker on the Cowboys depth chart and that is the position he is playing the Cowboys’ abbreviated 4-3 scheme that will convert easily to the 3-4. Smith and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence are pseudo outside linebackers with defensive end Tyrone Crawford and tackles Trysten Hill and Dontari Poe as the other down linemen.
9. Cowboys doing something not seen this century. Along with coach Mike McCarthy, the Cowboys have five members of the staff that have some NFL head coaching experience. Besides McCarthy, who led Green Bay from 2006-18), Dallas has; defensive coordinator Mike Nolan (San Francisco, 2005-08); offensive line coach Joe Philbin (Miami, 2012-15); defensive line coach Jim Tomsula (San Francisco, 2010 interim and 2015); and special teams coach John Fassel (St. Louis, 2016 interim). Add it up and it means the Cowboys are the first NFL team since the 1999 St. Louis Rams to have at least five coaches on staff with previous NFL head coaching experience.
10. The captain carousel. The Cowboys will not have season captains in 2020. Coach McCarthy said that throughout the season they will select three team captains on Saturday night prior to that week’s game. Why? The coach says it will be as a reward for weekly work and as a way to share leadership throughout the team. It’s a practice that he used during his Green Bay days.
This story was originally published September 11, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
