Cowboys o-line finished 2024 NFL season with surprising PFF ranking
Cowboys O-Line Finished 2024 NFL Season with Surprising PFF Ranking: A Closer Look at the Impact on the Team’s Success
The Dallas Cowboys are no strangers to high expectations. As one of the most storied franchises in the NFL, the Cowboys’ offense has been under constant scrutiny, and for good reason. Over the years, the offensive line has been a key part of the team’s identity. With star players like Tyron Smith, Zack Martin, and Travis Frederick, the Cowboys’ offensive line has consistently been ranked among the league’s best. However, the 2024 season brought with it unexpected developments, and the final Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranking of the Cowboys’ offensive line was a surprising one.
As the NFL has evolved, so too has the role of the offensive line. Gone are the days when the line simply acted as a blocking unit for the running back. Today, the line is tasked with protecting a quarterback for extended periods, creating running lanes, and responding to defensive schemes that are more complex than ever. The Cowboys’ offensive line faced significant challenges heading into the 2024 season, with questions surrounding the health of some veteran players, the development of younger talents, and the overall depth of the unit.
At the conclusion of the 2024 season, however, the Cowboys’ offensive line achieved a surprising feat. Despite concerns and the ever-changing dynamics of the roster, the group finished with a Pro Football Focus ranking that exceeded expectations, earning a spot among the league’s most respected units.
The State of the Cowboys O-Line Heading Into 2024
To understand how the Cowboys’ offensive line achieved such a surprising PFF ranking, it’s essential to look back at the key questions and challenges facing the unit before the 2024 season.
Health Issues and Aging Veterans: The Cowboys’ offensive line has long been anchored by a group of veterans, including Tyron Smith at left tackle, Zack Martin at right guard, and Tyler Biadasz at center. However, Smith, in particular, had battled injuries in recent seasons, and there were concerns about how much longer he could continue to be a dominant force on the blindside. The injuries that limited his play in past seasons led to doubts about the overall effectiveness of the unit moving forward. The addition of new talent in the draft, along with veterans like Terence Steele, was intended to add depth, but questions remained about whether this new mix of players would gel.
The Emergence of Young Talent: With the Cowboys focusing on developing younger players, the 2024 season was seen as a critical one for Tyler Smith (who had shown flashes of promise as a rookie) and others on the offensive line. Fans and analysts alike were eager to see if these young players could make the leap and become consistent contributors, especially given the transitionary nature of the line in recent years. Would the Cowboys’ investment in younger players like Matt Farniok and Chandler Zavala pay off?
Scheme Changes and Offensive Philosophy: Another factor in the evaluation of the Cowboys’ offensive line was the shift in offensive philosophy. Head coach Mike McCarthy, taking over play-calling duties for the first time in his tenure with the Cowboys, brought with him a different approach than what was previously seen under Kellen Moore. McCarthy’s offensive schemes emphasized balance, involving both the running game and short passing game to set up opportunities for deep shots down the field. This required the offensive line to not only protect Dak Prescott but also create lanes for a more dynamic running game. The adjustment to McCarthy’s new offense was critical for the offensive line’s overall success.
With these factors in mind, the 2024 season began, and the early results seemed to offer a mixed bag of performance.
A Solid Start: Offensive Line Holds Steady Early
Despite the questions surrounding the offensive line, the Cowboys managed to stay competitive early in the season. With Tyron Smith still playing at a high level when healthy, Zack Martin continuing to perform as one of the league’s top guards, and Tyler Biadasz holding down the center position, the Cowboys’ line was solid, if not spectacular, during the first few weeks.
One of the most encouraging signs came from Tyler Smith and Terence Steele, both of whom were expected to take on more significant roles. Tyler Smith had a particularly strong start to the season, and his ability to adapt to multiple positions helped create stability. Steele, who had been a reliable contributor in previous seasons, also stepped up, providing the Cowboys with solid play at right tackle.
As the season progressed, the offensive line appeared to improve, and the early season question marks started to fade. A notable element of the Cowboys’ offensive line play in 2024 was their ability to effectively manage the run game, allowing Tony Pollard and Rico Dowdle to find success on the ground. McCarthy’s commitment to establishing the run allowed the offensive line to assert itself physically, opening up opportunities for the offense.
While the team faced challenges, including injury scares to key players like Smith, the offensive line showed resilience, adapting to different situations. With each passing week, the Cowboys seemed to hit their stride in the trenches.
Midseason Adjustments: A New Look
By the midway point of the season, the Cowboys’ offensive line had clearly emerged as one of the more cohesive units in the NFL. While they were still not among the absolute best in terms of pass protection, the line had taken significant strides in both the running game and in maintaining consistency.
The adjustments made midseason played a key role in the improvement of the offensive line. With Tyron Smith dealing with injuries throughout the season, the Cowboys were forced to get creative. The emergence of younger players, especially Matt Farniok and Chandler Zavala, helped the line maintain its depth.
Another area where the Cowboys made adjustments was in how they utilized the offensive line in the passing game. Dak Prescott had become more adept at managing pocket pressure, and the line had become more efficient in handling edge rushers. This allowed for a more effective passing attack, even against some of the league’s toughest defenses.
The Final Push: Ranking Higher Than Expected
As the regular season came to a close, the Cowboys’ offensive line finished with a surprisingly strong PFF ranking. The team had managed to maintain an effective running game, allowing Tony Pollard to post career-best numbers and keeping Dak Prescott upright for most of the year. The offensive line’s ability to provide steady protection for Prescott allowed him to distribute the ball to his receiving weapons, including CeeDee Lamb and Brandon Cooks.
For all the talk surrounding the Cowboys’ defense, it was clear that the offense had found a balance, and the offensive line was a huge reason for that success. PFF’s ranking of the Cowboys’ offensive line in 2024 was far higher than many analysts had anticipated, especially considering the uncertainties that had surrounded the unit going into the season.
The Cowboys finished the 2024 regular season with a Top 10 PFF ranking for offensive lines, a testament to the improvements made throughout the year. While they were not at the very top, their ranking was impressive, given the changes and the health concerns that had clouded the group’s prospects. The offensive line’s ability to adapt to McCarthy’s system and work through adversity was a major storyline for the Cowboys.
Key Takeaways and What’s Next for the O-Line
Looking forward, the Cowboys’ offensive line is poised to remain a key component of the team’s overall success. There are several important takeaways from the surprising PFF ranking:
- Depth is Key: The ability of players like Matt Farniok and Chandler Zavala to step up when called upon proved critical for the Cowboys. Having depth on the offensive line is essential, especially in today’s NFL, where injuries are inevitable.
- Coaching Matters: The success of the offensive line can be attributed not just to the players themselves, but also to Mike McCarthy and the offensive coaching staff. Their ability to adapt the system to the strengths of the offensive line allowed for more success in both the run and pass game.
- Health Will Be Crucial: For the Cowboys to maintain a high ranking in the future, the health of their key players, especially Tyron Smith, will be crucial. The team must continue to manage Smith’s health carefully, especially as he gets older.
- The Line is Still Growing: While the Cowboys finished with a strong ranking, there is still room for improvement. Tyler Smith and Terence Steele continue to grow, and the offensive line as a whole will only get better as they gain more experience in McCarthy’s system.
