FRISCO, Texas – We are very familiar with the phrase "next man up," used excessively these days in sports when referring to backup players needing to replace those out with injuries.
Well, here is a new one, and this applies explicitly this year to the Dallas Cowboys:
"Next step up."
This applying to those players the Cowboys are desperately needing to move up from rotational players to serious contributors, especially this year because of multiple roster needs and salary cap relief. See, there are only so many holes a team can fill through free agency because of salary-cap implications.
There are only so many holes a team can fill through the draft, even if the Cowboys are adding 10 rookie draft selections and nine undrafted rookie free agents over these past three weeks. These are all speculative prospects, sort of as if investing in stocks, full of educated guesses but shrouded with anxiety-filled unknown.
And as much as the Cowboys have tried this offseason following that 7-10 record of 2024 that was littered with multiple team-debilitating injuries, they are far from an accomplished roster at every position.
For example: The Cowboys took a first-round draft stab last year at plugging the gaping hole at left tackle caused by moving on from future Hall of Famer Tyron Smith, who qualified that move by retiring a few weeks back after spending last season with the Jets. With the 29th pick, they selected somewhat raw OT Tyler Guyton on the premise his high potential would eventually overcome his inexperience.
Well, big guy, it's time to take that "next step up," maybe the biggest unknown on the offensive line, aside from who becomes the next man up at swing tackle since seems they have hit on Cooper Beebe at center, used this year's first on Tyler Booker to replace the retiring Zack Martin at right guard and already have invested in right tackle Terence Steele and hit that home run at left guard with Pro Bowler Tyler Smith.
Looking at you, too, Mazi Smith, the former 2023 first-round defensive tackle. In fairness, Mazi did improve after struggling his rookie year, having been utilized in a scheme this past season more conducive to his talents. Actually played 47.6 percent of the snaps, a step in the right direction. Still, no matter the Cowboys have cap dollars to re-sign Osa Odighizuwa and sign veteran free agent Solomon Thomas, they need upgraded production from The Maz, who finished last season with 44 tackles and four tackles for loss. Come on, big guy.
Now cornerback. Got to be some uneasiness there, a spot filled with plenty of unknown since Trevon Diggs, following surgery to basically fill his damaged cartilage pothole, could start the season on PUP. Their third-round draft choice, Shavon Revel Jr., is currently still rehabbing his torn ACL, though hopeful to be ready to start the season. Same for Josh Butler. And consider having lost veteran Jourdan Lewis in free agency. So looking at you, Kaiir Elam, Buffalo's former first-round draft choice in 2022 who had yet to blossom. The Cowboys traded for him as a stab at plugging this hole. Well, it's time, Kaiir, even if the Cowboys still have wanderlust for a more establish veteran free agent to sink their teeth into.
Here is another step-up needed: Jonathan Mingo, wide receiver. Sure, the Cowboys just traded for the badly needed No. 2 receiver to CeeDee Lamb, though this George Pickens might prove to be more of a No. 1-B. And sure, Jalen Tolbert took a much needed "next step up" last season, leading the team with seven touchdown receptions. But holy cow, what a receiving corps this team could become if a much-improved Mingo is added to the group in his third NFL season – after an undistinguished career with the Panthers – and plays worthy of the second-round draft choice he was to fortify a position that is expected to utilize KaVontae Turpin's speed more, too. Yep, just awaiting Mingo's "next step up."
Next, and this might be asking for an embarrassment of riches since the Cowboys do have team sack leader Micah Parsons at one defensive end and did sign veteran pass rusher Dante Fowler again in free agency. But hey, who's next? And this has nothing to do with Pete Townshend. Marshawn Kneeland, last year's second-round draft choice? Donovan Ezeiruaku, this year's second-round draft choice? Payton Turner, the Cowboys' inexpensive stab at signing the Saints' former first-round draft choice they gave up on after four seasons? Or with their fingers crossed, Sam Williams, slated to be a starting defensive end last year before suffering that torn ACL in training camp. He's expected to be close to ready at the start of camp with two more months of rehab available.
You guys feeling me?
How 'bout another? Backup tight end to Jake Ferguson, a second-year Pro Bowler in 2023 struggling some through injury in 2024. The Cowboys did use a 2023 second-round draft choice on Luke Schoonmaker, but he played just 35 percent of the 2024 snaps in an offense partial to two-tight end sets. He produced only 27 catches for 241 yards and one TD in his second season while sharing that spot with free-agent rookie Brevyn Spann-Ford, turning out to be a proficient inline blocker. Third season Luke, and as Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is wont to quote former Cowboys head coach Tom Landry, time to earn your keep or possibly … else.
Got one more "next step up" candidate, especially at a position yearning for a next stepper even after trading for veteran linebacker Kenneth Murray while counting on last year's third-rounder Marist Liufau and signing fourth-year free agent Jack Sanborn. They are all awaiting the return of DeMarvion Overshown, having torn his knee's ACL on Dec. 9 after suffering his first torn ACL to the other knee during training camp his rookie season. Talkin' about Damone Clark, a fifth-round draft choice in 2022 who fell from being a likely second-rounder after discovering during the NFL Scouting Combine the need for vertebrae fusion neck surgery. Played sparingly half his rookie season but went on to lead the team with 115 tackles in 2023 after starter Leighton Vander Esch suffered his career-ending neck injury.
Clark would only start two games in 2024 and is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Man, this would be a huge bonus if Clark takes that much-needed "next step up." Since at this point, a team in need of an active middle linebacker likely will rely on Sanborn for starters, a guy who has started only 19 of 48 games played for the Bears and Cowboys new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus.
Finally, and yeesh, at this position hesitant to use the term taking that "next step up" since neither of the current backup quarterback candidates have even take the first step: Will Grier, listed as a fifth-year veteran but having played and started just two NFL regular season games, those back in 2019 as a rookie with Carolina after spending the majority of his time in the NFL as but a third-string QB or on practice squads; and then Joe Milton, the Cowboys trading for the Patriots' 2024 sixth-round draft choice. Great arm but comes with almost no pro experience, playing only one NFL game his rookie season.
Might be a leap of faith for either becoming the Cowboys' full-time backup to Dak Prescott without having taken even the first step to prove worthy of the responsibility. Meaning, the Cowboys likely are keeping their eyes open for a veteran with some starting experience as long-time backup Cooper Rush's replacement.
Remember, this time last year Cowboys then head coach Mike McCarthy continued saying the team's biggest improvement had to "come from within," meaning from players taking that "next step up." Was a worthy ambition before the Cowboys lost far too many starters for multiple games: Prescott, Martin, Diggs, Parsons, Overshown, DeMarcus Lawrence, Brandin Cooks, Caelen Carson, Kneeland and Williams. Why, they stretched the limits of "next man up," let alone reaching for that "next step up."
One they would love to reach in lockstep for 2025.
