Dallas Cowboys 2022 preseason round-up: Dak Prescott, early power rankings, Ezekiel Elliott…

What can we expect from healthy Dak Prescott?

Dak Prescott has said he’s in the best shape of his life, and now it’s up to him to prove that’s true. He should be in better shape than the last two years at least after suffering that ankle injury in 2020, and calf strain and shoulder injury in 2021. All things considered, this is Prescott’s first fully healthy offseason in years. Considering how Prescott played in college and his earlier days in the NFL, it could be safe to assume he will go back to being more of a rushing QB this season. His rushing stats were understandably lower in 2021, which we can attribute to the injuries to his right ankle and calf. A fully healthy Prescott should have no reason not to be utilized to run the football.

Will the Cowboys sign Anthony Barr?

Former Minnesota Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr made the Pro Bowl every single year from 2015 to 2018. Since 2018, though, he’s struggled with injury woes. Despite that, he still put up 72 tackles in 11 games in 2021. Now, he remains a free agent and potential interest for the Dallas Cowboys and their NFC East rivals, the Washington Commanders. Training camp is coming up quick for both Dallas and Washington, so whatever deals will be made should happen soon. Barr could be swooned by the Commanders’ head coach Ron Rivera, who is one of the best defensive minds in the NFL. OR he could be intrigued by working with former Vikings defensive coordinator George Edwards who now works with the Cowboys.

Cowboys not looking great in the power rankings

Last year, the Cowboys won the NFC East, finishing the season at 12-5. The competition was not too tough, as the Giants and Commanders had rough losing seasons. Though they’re still the favorites to win it again this year, the amount of bets they received is significantly less. Not only that, but their ESPN power ranking was quite bad. The Cowboys received a C with a 77.6 rating. Scale is as follows:

100: A+ (Elite)

90: A (Great)

80: B (Very good)

70: C (Average)

60: D (Very bad)

50 and below: F (Disastrous)

The Cowboys had a good season last year despite not making it deep into the playoffs, but they are now missing Amari Cooper and Randy Gregory and coach Mike McCarthy has been a lame duck for a while now. Not to mention, despite having a group of elite players on their team for years in a row, the Cowboys can’t seem to ever make any significant wins.

Will the Cowboys trade for another wide receiver?

With Amari Cooper gone and Michael Gallup’s return date uncertain, CeeDee Lamb became the Cowboys’ number one receiver. But is that enough? There are still some receivers they could pick up in free agency, or players they could trade for. Julio Jones is still available, but injury concerns could keep them from making the move. Another option could be New Orleans Saints’ Deonte Hardy, who is further down on their depth chart on a one-year contract. He played his best season last year with 36 receptions for 570 yards and three touchdowns. He would make a nice addition as a receiver and punt returner.

Where does RB Ezekiel Elliott rate in Madden 23?

Madden released its running back ratings yesterday, and it’s not shocking to see Derrick Henry at the top of the list with a 97 overall rating. He is followed closely behind by Nick Chubb and Christian McCaffrey with 96 and Jonathan Taylor with 95. Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott rated an 88, putting him in the top 10, just barely.

Elliott rated 88 last year as well, but in his first year (Madden 21), he rated 92, so he’s been steadily declining according to these ratings. He did, however, still rate 92 in the juke move ratings.