The Dallas Cowboys front office has faced its fair share of criticism over the years, with the criticism aimed at not doing enough to improve their roster. These complaints aren't as plentiful this year as the team has been extremely diligent in trying to do everything they can to fix the team.
While not every new piece has worked out as planned, there are many who are living up to, if not exceeding, expectations. And in recent games, some of these same players keep showing up. Here are some of the smart moves the Cowboys have made over the last year, who played well on Monday night and are slowly becoming a more permanent fixture of this football team.
Why are we still discussing Quinnen Williams? It's because people will forever debate the Micah Parsons trade, especially when every new loss, coupled with a Green Bay win, makes fans question it more. Fortunately, Williams is starting to ball out.
His presence was felt in all aspects of the game. He blew up a goal-line run, he sniffed out a screen and ran down the ball carrier, and he came up with another sack. He now has three sacks in his last four games. He also has nine tackles for a loss this year, the most by any defensive tackle. Williams is starting to produce in the way that was envisioned.
Most everyone approved of the trade for Joey Porter Jr. as he is a proven commodity. Some questioned the second-round cost, however, that pick is not until 2028, so it is not as steep as it sounds. But now, he is already looking like a steal.
He is smothering everything, always attached to his man. His coverage fundamentals are top notch and he puts more great plays on display each week. His future with the team is unknown, but it is becoming more and more apparent that he should be a part of this team going forward, especially with the unexpected decline of DaRon Bland.
Otito Ogbonnia has emerged as the team's most consistent interior presence against the run and best offseason addition this year. Despite playing on a modest one-year deal, he has become one of the best run-stopping defensive tackles in the league. Initially thought of as a block absorber, his hand usage and lateral range have turned him into a block-shedding run stuffer. He's making stops consistently to the point where it's now an expected result.
One of the team's biggest surprises comes from a player who was already on the roster, but who has stepped into a larger role. The Cowboys gave Brevyn Spann-Ford a three-year extension right before the season began, and with each new day it looks like a better and better investment.
He has been a pesky in-line blocker sealing running lanes off the edge, but he is also becoming more involved as a receiver as another safety net for Dak Prescott. He is also a key member on special teams. He is just a gritty player who shows up every game.
The Cowboys have tried all kinds of things in an attempt to find a backup running back. The team was hoping second-year backs Jaydon Blue or Phil Mafah would be the guys, but they did not make the final roster. Malik Davis was that feel-good riser in camp, but an unfortunate hip injury ended his season a week before the year began. The Cowboys then claimed former Chiefs back Emari Demercado who hung around for two games, but have since pivoted to former Falcons back Tyler Goodson.
It has taken a bit, but the Cowboys might have finally found a reliable backup. Since joining the team, Goodson has looked good as a high-efficiency change-of-pace runner, offering the offense an explosive element of suddenness out of the backfield.
While Javonte Williams handles the heavy interior grinding, Goodson has shown nice vision to attack the perimeter on outside-zone concepts. His one-cut burst and quick acceleration allow him to get through tight creases both as a running back and as a reliable return specialist filling in for KaVontae Turpin.
Acquired from Pittsburgh to serve as a versatile swing tackle, Broderick Jones is slowly working into the mix. He has been used in heavy-run personnel looks, specifically when the Cowboys deploy him as an eligible sixth offensive lineman.
In these alignments, he gives the coaching staff incredible flexibility by shifting smoothly between the left and right sides of the line. Monday night was his best showing so far as he logged nine offensive snaps as a sixth lineman.
He was quick off the snap, locked onto his man and twisted him out of the play. He also did a good job climbing to the second level to take out the linebacker. It was a small sample, but he did a good job helping the Cowboys reignite their running game against a tough Eagles front.
This spot would go to Jonathan Bullard had he not injured his calf in Week 3 as he was showing up as a reliable run-stopper perfect for this defensive scheme. Oddly enough, the Cowboys immediately replaced him with veteran Elijah Garcia, and the interior defensive line has not missed a beat. The team wants to keep their main three DTs fresh and having a reliable guy helps them do that, but nobody was expecting Garcia to step in and make an impact.
By taking calculated risks and identifying talent that fits the current system, the front office has effectively added key pieces to their roster, both at crucial starting spots and valuable depth pieces. These acquisitions have helped give this team a fighting chance. The Cowboys still have a lot to figure out, but even if some of their initial roster adds don't pan out, they still have a slew of guys who they can build around.
