Regardless of all the changes that have taken place this offseason and the more changes still to come, it does appear as if football is on the horizon.
This version of training camp will still give us the chance to evaluate players both individually and as a group.
And today, we're focusing on the group stage of the Cowboys. Our staff writers have weighed in to rank 12 different positions on this team as a group. It's not the best players, but their entire unit.
We'll start this ranking with a position that lost a future Hall of Famer and is lacking in experience, but there is plenty of upside.
What position is the strongest on the team heading into camp? Is it the wide receivers? What about the quarterbacks, running backs or O-line? Our writers ranked 12 positions from top to bottom.
12. Tight End: Maybe this is what happens when you lose a Hall of Fame tight end. Or maybe, it's just a spot where no one is that proven. For now, tight end comes in last on the list but that could change rather quickly if Blake Jarwin is as good as the Cowboys hope. Plus, veteran backup Blake Bell could give a different dimension as a blocker that this team has lacked at tight end for years.
11. Cornerback: Losing Byron Jones to free agency was a big blow, but one the Cowboys were certainly prepared for. They've addressed the position with numbers – drafting two in the top four rounds and signing two more vets, including Daryl Worley. Throw in the fact that Jourdan Lewis and Chido Awuzie are both entering contract years, and it could be very interesting. But for now, there's just not a lot of star power that we see at other positions.
10. Safety: The Cowboys might have upgraded in free agency with the signing of Ha Ha Clinton-Dix after losing Jeff Heath. As a safety, Clinton-Dix is probably better but Heath was vital on special teams. Still, with Xavier Woods also entering a contract year, perhaps his best season of his career is yet to come. Don't forget about Darian Thompson, a player who always makes the most of his opportunities and could push for playing time.
9. Specialists: Lots of uncertainty here with the kicking position, but what's new? The Cowboys went out and signed Greg Zuerlein, but only time will tell if he's still "Greg the Leg" and can be as effective as he was a few years back. Last year, he missed nine field goal attempts, after missing nine combined in the three previous seasons. Chris Jones needs to have a bounce back season and could get there if he's healthy again. Long snapper L.P. Ladouceur is so consistent that he brings the group up a few notches. And maybe CeeDee Lamb will add some firepower as a return specialist.
8. Defensive End: Here's another position that could look a lot better in a few months. The wild card here is Aldon Smith. If the former first-round pick and pass-rushing great returns to the form he showed a decade ago, then the combination of him and D-Law could be off the charts. But Smith hasn't played in five years and it's hard to come back from that layoff. Speaking off coming back, Tyrone Crawford is likely moving back to end. That will help in the run defense and provide a steady rotation. And then if … big if … Randy Gregory returns, the position could be one of the best.
7. Guard/Center: On one hand, the Cowboys have uncertainty at center with Travis Frederick retiring and then Connor Williams is still unproven and returning from injury. On the other hand, Zack Martin is still one of the best guards, if not the very best, in all of football. Combine that together and this group lands in the middle of the pack. Martin has battled injuries but his production is always at the highest-level. Joe Looney gets the chance to prove he's capable of starting yet again but watch out for youngsters such as Tyler Biadasz and Connor McGovern to compete.
6. Defensive Tackle: If this position was about prior accomplishments, it might be much higher on this list. Gerald McCoy has made six Pro Bowls and Dontari Poe adds a new dimension as a tackle in the middle of this defense that we've rarely seen on this team. Together, it's a new look at defensive tackle but they have to both prove they've got gas in the tank to produce as they once have. Remember, they played together in Carolina last year and the Panthers struggled on their defensive line. Also, rookie Neville Gallimore should add some playmaking ability and Trysten Hill needs to have a big jump from his rookie year.
5. Linebacker: On paper, this unit could make an argument as the most accomplished – with all three projected starters having been to a Pro Bowl. You won't find many groups of linebackers in NFL history that can make that claim. While Sean Lee might be on the downside of his stellar career, the other two – Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch are just getting started. LVE's neck injury will be a concern until he gets back on the field and Smith had some issues last year in coverage. But overall, it's a talented group with some veteran backups such as Joe Thomas and Justin March behind them.
4. Running Back: This just proves the Cowboys indeed have some talent on the roster. Ezekiel Elliott is one of the NFL's best backs and Tony Pollard is an electrifying No. 2 back. If the Cowboys can find ways to get Pollard on the field more, perhaps as a receiver, this could be an even better position.
3. Quarterback: Whether or not the Cowboys signed Dak to a long-term deal, he's still the quarterback of this team right now and is coming off a season in which he put up some big numbers. Now, he didn't get his team to a winning record or the playoffs, but he can't shoulder all of the blame. Now, he'll get some help in the quarterback room in Andy Dalton, an experienced passer who not only returns to Texas, but should stabilize the position even more. Even if Dak remains healthy and takes every snap, just having Dalton's presence on the sideline should be beneficial.
2. Offensive Tackle: This was a close second because both Tyron Smith and La'el Collins might be the best tackle duo in the NFL. Smith has fought off his share of injuries, but it hasn't prevented him from making the Pro Bowl and keeping his status as one of the best left tackles in all of football. Collins is one player who signed a new deal last season and actually exceeded expectations. He's an outstanding right tackle and then throw in the depth of Cameron Erving and this will be a strength of the team once again.
1. Wide Receiver: At one point in mid-March, just before the start of free agency, there was a thought Amari Cooper could be headed to the open market and might sign with another team. As it turned out, Cooper re-signed, then they drafted CeeDee Lamb and all of a sudden, this is one of the best receiving trios in the NFL. And while Lamb hasn't caught a pass yet, his ability to play all three positions and stretch the field will open up passing lanes for both Cooper and Gallup, who also seems ready to explode onto the scene.
