At 6-10, the Dallas Cowboys had a season to forget.
Whether it was the play on the field or the coaching on the sidelines, they were a massive disappointment.
From 6-10 to contention? Here’s how.
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) January 27, 2021
The only bright spot for the team was the offense, but even that was short-lived.
The season-ending injury to Dak Prescott was essentially a death sentence, as it only amplified the issues that already plagued the team.
Dallas also dealt with a multitude of injuries on both sides of the ball.
And while they were technically in the postseason hunt until the very end, that was due to the ineptitude of the NFC East.
Luckily for the Cowboys, the rest of the division is in a similar state of flux heading into next season.
If the front office can sign these free agents, Dallas has a realistic shot of squeezing into the playoffs.
1. Dak Prescott, QB
Sometimes the most obvious choices are the best ones.
"Prescott has earned a PFF grade above 72.0 in every season of his career so far and even recorded a career-high mark of 85.2 up until his season-ending injury" via @PFF_Brad #Cowboys https://t.co/FXc7nhzUAy
— PFF DAL Cowboys (@PFF_Cowboys) January 19, 2021
Simply put, this team is better when Prescott is under center.
Before his injury, he was on pace to shatter his personal bests in yards, passing touchdowns, and QBR (total quarterback rating).
Granted, he was unlikely to continue his torrid pace.
But after he went down in Week 5 against the Giants, the team lacked the firepower to overcome their porous defense.
Dak Prescott has the most passing yards through the 1st 4 weeks of a season in #NFL history with 1,690
He’s on pace for 6,760 yards 😳 pic.twitter.com/wa9jW9EEGP
— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) October 5, 2020
Andy Dalton was a serviceable backup, but he was league-average in every sense of the word.
He finished with a QBR of 53.7, ranking 25th amongst eligible quarterbacks.
Prescott’s absence also negatively affected the productivity of Dallas’ weapons.
The Cowboys feature one of the best trio of wide receivers in Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, and CeeDee Lamb.
Without Prescott, though, they struggled as a unit, especially the latter two.
Cooper still managed to record a 1,000-yard season, but it was apparent that the passing game just was not the same.
Even the ever-reliable Ezekiel Elliot regressed, as defenses keyed in on the running back.
The front office squandered multiple opportunities to secure Prescott as the franchise quarterback on a lesser contract.
Now, it is time to meet the 27-year-old’s sky-high demands.
2. Daryl Williams, OL
The offensive line was once the identity of the franchise.
The #DallasCowboys allowed the most points in franchise history and finished 31st in the run defense.
Having an offense that had to score 40 points every game just to stay in it was unacceptable.https://t.co/dqYPeXbvdx
— Cowboys Nation (@CowboyNationDAL) January 12, 2021
Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick, Zack Martin, and La’el Collins formed the most formidable unit in the league.
But with Frederick retiring last offseason and the other three suffering serious injuries, the line was a mere shadow of its once glorious past.
These vacancies thrust Terence Steele and Brandon Knight into the starting lineup, and they combined to give up 85 pressures.
Even if Collins and Smith return next season, offensive line depth is still a glaring hole for this offense.
Signing Daryl Williams should help alleviate any woes for next season.
The 28-year-old, who has dealt with his own injuries, just posted a career year for the Buffalo Bills.
In 684 snaps as a pass blocker, he gave up just three sacks.
He also excels as a run blocker and will not command the salary of an elite tackle.
For a Cowboys team strapped for cash, he is the ideal target for this team.
3. Shelby Harris, DL
Shelby Harris is another mid-market option who can rectify some of the Cowboys’ issues.
Opposing running backs gashed the Cowboys at will, and there was nothing the players or coaches could do.
The #DallasCowboys allowed the most points in franchise history and finished 31st in the run defense.
Having an offense that had to score 40 points every game just to stay in it was unacceptable.https://t.co/dqYPeXbvdx
— Cowboys Nation (@CowboyNationDAL) January 12, 2021
The defense gave up a remarkable 2,541 rushing yards, second only to the Houston Texans.
It was not through sheer volume either, as the 5.0 yards per carry was also the third-worst figure in the league.
While Harris is not the best available option, he strikes a balance between productivity and affordability.
In 11 games for the Denver Broncos this past season, he posted strong marks against the pass and the run.
The six-year veteran has always excelled against the run but has also steadily improved as a pass rusher.
Signing him will not solve every problem on the defense, but shoring up the trenches would be a wise decision for Dallas.
NEXT: 2 Coaching Changes The Cowboys Need To Make In 2021