Does spending $29 million more on the offense in 2025 mean the Cowboys have improved?

The Dallas Cowboys' 2024 season went downhill quick, fast and in a hurry, thanks to the club suffering a series of major injuries to major contributors. Micah Parsons, Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland, Zack Martin, Jake Ferguson, DeMarvion Overshown, and Dak Prescott all missed significant time due to various ailments. The loss of Prescott, of course, was the biggest blow, but even before his injury, the team was underperforming, with a record of 3-5. The front office saw the exodus of several key parts in the prior offseason and didn't do much in free agency to reload the roster. To make matters worse, the last two drafts haven't added major impact players to the roster.

Once again, the Cowboys lost offensive players this past offseason, as Brandin Cooks, Rico Dowdle, and Chuma Edoga all departed after having important roles in 2024. However this time, Dallas added depth to its roster with multiple signings and what appears to be an excellent draft.

The Cowboys are set to spend $149 million on offense this season, and increase of over $29 million from 2024. Looking at the top players they lost, have the reinforcements made the offense any better, or are they headed for another lackluster season?

Quarterback

The Cowboys lost Cooper Rush in free agency, and he did an excellent job of winning games when called upon to do so. If Prescott went out for a few weeks, Rush could start and help steward the ship, giving the team a chance to win, albeit with an altered approach and much less room for error.

That isn't easy to accomplish, so his signing wit Baltimore does have a negative impact. To replace the losses of Rush, as well as third-string QB Trey Lance, Dallas made a trade with the New England Patriots for Joe Milton III. Milton played the final game of his rookie season and showed loads of potential with decent mobility and one of the strongest arms in the league.

It is unlikely any team would trade Milton for Rush, even as successful as Dallas was when he had to play. Rush dwarfs in experience, but doesn't have the talent Milton does; that's why the quarterback room can be seen as improved.

Running Back

Rico Dowdle was an underrated back who gained 1,000 yards on the ground, despite being forced to split carries with less productive options for the first half of the season; he only had a single game over 12 attempts through the first 10 weeks. He wasn't an explosive runner, by any stretch of the imagination, but he was one of the more efficient in the NFL.

Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook were a net negative when they touched the field, making their departures addition by subtraction.

Miles Sanders, one of two veterans signed over the offseason, is currently an unknown as only attempted more than seven carries in one game last season. As a rusher, Javonte Williams had an up-and-down season. He had games where he reached the teens in attempts and averaged nearly five yards per carry, and others where he averaged less than three yards per attempt.

Williams adds value as a pass catcher, something the team lacked in 2024. The game changer for this room comes from the fifth-round pick, Jaydon Blue. He brings an explosiveness to the running back room that they hadn't had since before Tony Pollard was injured. He led the running back draft class in yards after contact before the line of scrimmage and percentage of yards after contact. Phil Mafah could be a power back to go with Blue, a thunder-and-lightning situation, but he must make the team ahead of the free agent veteran additions. Speed and explosiveness in this running back room have improved from last year.

Receivers

This receiving corps hasn't changed much, to the dismay of many Cowboys fans. Besides the loss of Cooks and the addition of Parris Campbell, the room hasn't changed. Cooks was the only viable second option on the team, so the unit has regressed without him. There is hope that a better rushing attack, or more creative play calling, unlocks the potential of KaVontae Turpin or Jonathan Mingo. Unless Dallas makes a significant trade, or makes veteran free agent additions the likes of Keenan Allen or Amari Cooper, this receiving group has declined.

Tight End

The tight end room hasn't added or lost anyone besides undrafted free agents Rivaldo Fairweather and Tyler Neville, neither of which are likely to make the active roster. Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker, and Brevyn Spann-Ford will almost assuredly be the top three options, with Princeton Fant being a depth piece that can play tight end or fullback. John Stephens Jr. has tons of potential as a stretch tight end who is used as a receiving option, but he has to show he can stay healthy after back-to-back season-ending ACL tear injuries. This position is neutral.

Offensive Line

Losing a Hall of Fame player would typically mean the offensive line would be worse, however Martin wasn't playing well last season, and the team improved when Brock Hoffman took over for him. Left tackle Tyler Guyton is an unknown, but he should be better with another year of experience and a full offseason to improve.

Cooper Beebe had a better rookie campaign than Guyton and should get the same Year 2 jump in performance. Tyler Smith was an All-Pro in 2023 and was good in 2024 as well. He should remain an excellent starter in Year 4, potentially cementing his status among league bests. Terence Steele returns at right tackle, another year further out from his significant injury, and could return to form with a change of guard at offensive line coach.

Dallas added much depth and looked better at right guard before the team used their first-round pick on powerhouse, Tyler Booker. This unit is substantially better talent-wise, and the new offensive coaches should help it improve, too. The amount this unit is upgraded could improve the offense as a whole significantly.

You can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or Bluesky @mike-crum-cdpiglet.bsky.social

This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Position by position look on if Cowboys have improved on offense