PROJECTED DEPTH CHART

Players listed in order of fantasy relevance. Recommended round to draft in standard 10 to 12-team leagues with 16 rounds in parentheses.

Quarterback: Tony Romo (2), Brad Johnson
Running Back:  Marion Barber III (2), Felix Jones (8), Tashard Choice
Wide Receiver:  Terrell Owens (2), Patrick Crayton (12), Terry Glenn
Tight End:  Jason Witten (5), Martellus Bennett
Kicker:  Nick Folk (16)

NOTABLE PLAYER MOVES

Additions:  LB Zach Thomas, CB Adam Jones
Subtractions:  LB Akin Ayodele, S Keith Davis, TE Anthony Fasano, NT Jason Ferguson, RB Julius Jones, CB Jacque Reeves

Does God still watch the Cowboys?  Photo Credit: grantlairdjr

2008 ROOKIES TO WATCH

Round One:  Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas
Round Two:  Martellus Bennett, TE, Texas A&M
Round Four:  Tashard Choice, RB, Georgia Tech

TOP POSITION BATTLE

CB: Anthony Henry vs. Adam Jones

2008 SCHEDULE

Top matchups in bold

Sept. 7: @ Cleveland
Sept. 15: Philadelphia
Sept. 21: @ Green Bay
Sept. 28: Washington
Oct. 5: Cincinnati
Oct. 12: @ Arizona
Oct. 19: @ St. Louis
Oct 26: Tampa Bay
Nov. 2: @ NY Giants
Nov. 6: BYE
Nov. 16: @ Washington
Nov. 23: San Francisco
Nov. 27: Seattle
FANTASY PLAYOFF MATCHUPS
Dec. 7: @ Pittsburgh
Dec. 14: NY Giants
Dec. 21: Baltimore
Dec 28: Philadelphia

ENGEL EYE ON: THE DALLAS COWBOYS

Don't be surprised to see a minor dropoff in production and loss of consistency from Terrell Owens. He turns 35 in December and has been playing a physical brand of football for a long time. Plus, he'll draw a lot of double-teams because of the questions that remain at the #2 wide receiver spot. With teams not looking to take chances on Owens, Patrick Crayton should see ample room to roam downfield. T.O. will still be a top fantasy WR, but his final numbers won't be on par with what you saw in 2007 due to the handful of frustrating outings he will mix in.

2008 FANTASY POSITIONAL OUTLOOKS

Quarterback:
Romo has continued his rise to the top of the fantasy gun-slinging elite.  Last season, Romo could draw with the best of them, delivering a 64.4 completion rate, while starting all 16 games.  He threw for over 4,200 yards and added an NFC-best 36 passing touchdowns.  He also ran for two more.  More comparisons should be made to Ben Roethlisberger than Tom Brady in terms of style.  While Romo can throw from the pocket and is a quick decision-maker, he's also among the most agile quarterbacks in the league.  His ability to buy time and scramble if necessary to avoid a sack adds to his already strong arm and good downfield vision.  He's a fast starter, which most fantasy players would take any day.  But be wary of Romo's tendency to wear down as the season goes on, as well as his fumble problems.  Regardless, he's a top-tier quarterback on draft day, which means you have to consider him as early as the second round or pray you get a shot at him in the third.  Brad Johnson is serviceable as a backup, but his age (40) is beckoning him not only to the sidelines, but to the stands.  Should Romo get hurt, Johnson has the experience to lead this group, but he won't put up stellar numbers in doing so.  Richard Bartel impressed the Cowboys with his work on the practice team and will have a chance to unseat Johnson.  Remember, the Cowboys only kept two QBs on the roster last year.

Running Back:
The departure of Julius Jones (J.J.) put an exclamation point on a question that had already been answered. With which hombre would the Cowboys choose to claim new territory?  Marion Barber III's no-nonsense style and gritty thundering strides could be compared to a thoroughbred.  For his career, he's averaged 4.5 yards-per-carry, and in his first year as the starter he ran for 975 yards and 10 touchdowns.  Barber is a punishing runner, whose upright style often intimidates a defense, but makes him prone to injury.  However, the 25-year-old has escaped injury thus far, playing in all 16 games the last two years.  Barber is also a legitimate receiving threat, hauling in 44 passes (fourth on the team) for 282 yards and two scores in 2007.  But his survival was in part due to having J.J. carry the load part time.  So it's one Jones out, another two in.  It's not hard for the press to focus on Pacman Jones, even though Cowboys first-round pick Felix Jones (F.J.) could end up making headlines.  F.J. will get his opportunities, as the Cowboys know that Barber's physical style demands that he take series off.  Oft-injured rookie out of Georgia Tech, Tashard Choice, will compete for the second spot, but he will likely be limited to special teams.  The Cowboys were an average ground team last year and ranked 21st in rushing attempts.  Perhaps that's why Barber failed to hit the 1,000 yard mark.  Barber is a late first-rounder at best in my book, with a lean toward the early second.  Keep an eye on the new Jones, as he could make a bigger impact than expected and should be considered in the mid-to-later rounds, depending on team need.
 
Wide Receiver:
This is the offense that Terrell Owens always wanted: a unit identified as much by his name as by the quarterback's.  Well, it is no doubt that he struck gold in Dallas.  Perhaps the strongest receiver in the league physically, Owens is virtually unstoppable when paired up in man coverage.  He was the second best fantasy receiver last year and fifth overall in the NFL ranks.  Where Owens may suffer is his lack of a supporting cast this year.  Depth is in question, as no one is sure Glenn can return to anywhere near what he once was--occasionally amazing, combined with a whole lot of average output, due to his mental state.  Patrick Crayton has improved but must become more reliable with his hands.  Sam Hurd and Isaiah Stanback round out the group.  Hurd has adequate size and averaged three receptions the last two games of year.  Stanback, the latest QB-turned-WR project, could develop into a new option.  Owens is a late first/early second rounder depending on your scoring, and Crayton is a serviceable WR3.

Jason Witten has re-established himself as a top fantasy tight end.  Photo Credit: lanny211

Tight End:
Jason Witten has become the Antonio Gates of this offense, and perhaps the NFL.  In 2007, Witten became Romo's favorite compadre when he couldn't find Owens.  He led all tight ends with 96 receptions. Witten also had a career game in Week 14 with 15 receptions and 138 yards, including the last-second, game-winning touchdown in a 28-27 victory against the Lions.  What this tells you is that Witten might as well be considered a wide receiver, though he is a solid blocker.  While it's hard to imagine him duplicating these numbers in 2008, Dallas did not acquire the WR help it needed, so the opportunities will be there again.  Draft Witten as high as the fourth round, and you'll be doing yourself no disservice.  Rookie Martellus Bennett is undersized for his 6'7" frame, listed anywhere from 248-260 pounds.  However, NFL scouts report that, where Witten can't often knock people off the line, Bennett can.  He also brings soft hands and is strong after the catch.  In his senior campaign at Texas A&M, he hauled in 49 catches for over 500 yards with four scores.  If Witten goes down, Bennett should be a more than adequate substitute.

Kicker:
Nick Folk surprised many people last year, becoming a top five kicker in fantasy.  Well gosh darn it, that means you can draft him early...in the 16th round.

Defense/Special Teams:
Like most solid 3-4 schemes, the power of this posse is charged by its linebackers, and this bunch is like lightning.  DeMarcus Ware and his counterpart Greg Ellis combined for 26.5 sacks.  Add Bradie James to the group, along with the Dolphins leading tackler Zach Thomas, and you have a strong middle core to build around.  However, Roy Williams has not developed into the defensive leader they thought they were getting.  Though he was second on the team in tackles, he had only two interceptions and just five passes defensed.  Considering former Seahawk Ken Hamlin provided five interceptions and was fourth in tackles, it's fair to say Williams has disappointed.  Defensive Coordinator Brian Stewart will be expecting growth from Williams this year.  In 2008, Terence Newman finds himself in a contract year and will attempt to reprise the kind of year that got him a berth in the 2007 Pro Bowl.  Thus, 31-year-old Anthony Henry is the likely candidate to have to ward off Adam "Pacman" Jones in order to keep his starting job.  The other often-troubled member of the defense, Tank Williams, will push Jason Ratliff to keep his job at nose tackle.  It's a solid defense that unfortunately plays in a tough-nosed division.  The Cowboys' quick-strike ability doesn't do this unit any favors, either. 

Special teams were one of the glaring weaknesses for the Cowboys, but on the return side of things, expectations for Pacman Jones are high. In 2006, he had 440 yards and three touchdowns returning punts.  Miles Austin is expected to pair with him on kickoff returns, and Newman or Felix Jones could also handle some return duties.

Offensive Line:
With Leonard Davis leading the way, along with Andre Gurode and Flozell Adams, this is a crack veteran unit who averages eight years of experience among them.  They surrendered just 25 sacks last year and provide good running lanes.  Injuries are the biggest concern because of age. Should injuries strike, the Cowboys will be tested, as their depth is young and inexperienced.

If love were a football, then Jonathan Phillips would be married with children.  Thus, he's lonely and would like nothing more than to discuss football with you when he's not writing Small Market Mania.  Feel free to email him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed