Overall Fantasy Impact: Above Average
Offensive Outlook: The Cowboys were by far and away the most explosive offense in the NFC last season, rolling for over 28 points a game.
The scary thing is that they could be even better this year, with explosive rookie Felix Jones replacing Julius Jones as the No. 2 running back.
The one concern is a lack of depth at wide receiver, especially with the Terry Glenn situation still unsettled. But no team in the league can match the balance that the Cowboys have at the four major Fantasy positions with Tony Romo, Marion Barber, Terrell Owens, and Jason Witten.
QUARTERBACKS: With the exception of a flameout late in the season ( just 1 TD in the last three games) that hurt his owners in the playoffs, Romo’s first full season as a starter blew away all expectations. He trailed only Tom Brady among QB’s in yards and TDs, and he had four 4-TD games. The interception rate could stand to come down a bit, but he should be the third quarterback taken on draft day, right behind Brady and Peyton Manning.
Brad Johnson is the back-up, but, at this stage of his career, he shouldn’t be considered even as a handcuff pick for Romo.
RUNNING BACKS: Barber carried the ball over 20 times just once all year, as the Cowboys passed the majority of the time and he had to share carries with Julius Jones. This could be Barber’s first season over 1,000 yards, but the Cowboys are very wary of wearing him down. His value comes in his touchdowns (28 in the last two seasons.) He should be considered early in Round 2 of your draft.
Rookie Felix Jones thrived in a time-sharing situation with Darren McFadden in Arkansas, so the Cowboys seem like a perfect fit for him. He has world-class speed and should be a devastating weapon when he comes in fresh againt defenses already worn down by Barber. Don’t be surprised if he scores 6-8 TDs, which would make a very good third or fourth back to have on your roster.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Owens had one of his best years last season, ranking third in the league with 15 receiving touchdowns and fifth with 1,355 yards. His big-play ability, even at age 34, remains unrivaled, as evidenced by 16.7 yards per catch, tops in the NFL among receivers with at least 60 receptions a year ago. And his happiness in Dallas helps to put aside any worries of his past off-the-field foibles which lowered his value. Take him as the second receiver off the board (behind Randy Moss) early in Round 2.
Patrick Crayton was a bit of a disappointment in his first year as a starter. Still, 697 yards and 7 scores aren’t exactly awful fantasy numbers. If he’s still the starter in Week 1, he’d make an excellent No. 3 receiver. Glenn could conceivably win the job back if he remains a Cowboy, and it’s easy to forget that he had 1,000-yard seasons in ‘05 and ‘06 before knee problems kept him out last year. But owners should be wary about 13-year veterans coming off a knee injury. Should Glenn not make it back, any veteran the Cowboys sign at receiver ought to be worth a look on draft day because of the explosiveness of this offense.
Witten thrived with Romo at the helm last season to the tune of his first ever 1,000-yard season. As a matter of fact, he was 2nd in yards among tight ends (1,145) and tied for 4th with 7 TD’s. He had 10 games with at least 6 catches. And, even though it seems like he’s been around a while, the guy is only 26. He deserves mention in the same breath as other elite fantasy tight ends like Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates.