Surgeries could throw a wrench in the Cowboys’ 2024 plans

Surgeries could throw a wrench in the Cowboys’ 2024 plans

The way the Dallas Cowboys have approached the 2024 offseason, it’s clear they are banking on the NFL Draft to supplement the roster.

LB Eric Kendricks is the only outside free agent they’ve signed and they had to sneak into San Francisco like a thief in the night to bring him back to Dallas.

The fanbase has had mixed emotions since the inexcusable Wildcard Round loss to Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers in January.

A thorough thrashing of America’s Team on national television has some fans feeling indifferent and tired of the same results.

Other fans are angry and calling for Jerry Jones and Stephen Jones to step down and appoint real football people to run the team.

Still, other fans are mediating the other two groups, attempting to instill some positivity and douse the flames of fury aimed at The Star.

Honestly, I can’t blame those first two groups. We have been constantly let down since 1996, squandering every opportunity to advance to the first NFC Championship Game since that season.

HC Mike McCarthy had an exclusive interview with ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter earlier this week and he gave a little more clarity on the Cowboys’ offseason plans.

Not only are they essentially foregoing free agency, favoring the upcoming draft class instead, but they also view the development of the 2023 draft class as an influx of talent.

The only problem with that is Dallas Morning News reporter Michael Gehlken reported on Tuesday that the top two picks of the 2023 draft class both underwent surgery after the season.

Could surgeries to the top three picks of the 2023 draft throw a wrench in the Cowboys’ plans?

Mazi Smith

DT Mazi Smith was the first defensive tackle taken in the first round by the Dallas Cowboys since Russell Maryland in 1991.

Smith was originally widely regarded as a second round pick until his draft stock improved because he displayed immense strength at the NFL Combine.

This prompted scouts to rate him as a fringe first-round player, and the Cowboys selected him with the 26th pick in the draft.

Reportedly, Mazi lost approximately 30-40 pounds throughout the season and was repeatedly pushed around by opposing offensive linemen.

He underwent surgery after the season was over to repair a shoulder injury.

Dallas needs him to step up in his second season but if his shoulder isn’t 100% by the start of the season, the Cowboys could be in trouble at defensive tackle.

Luke Schoonmaker

Much to the dismay of Cowboys Nation, the Cowboys selected TE Luke Schoonmaker from the University of Michigan with their 58th pick in the second round.

There were other more pressing needs like running back and linebacker so the selection wasn’t well received by the fanbase.

It was obvious the Cowboys wanted to run more 12-personnel (two tight end sets) but Schoonmaker didn’t make much of an impact.

He finished the season with eight receptions for 65 yards and two touchdowns, a stat line that Jake Ferguson regularly hits in one game.

Unlike Mazi’s surgery immediately after the season, Schoonmaker’s surgery is more recent, and his recovery might bleed into the regular season.

It’s not an ideal situation because the depth behind him is non-existent besides Peyton Hendershot and John Stephens, who is recovering from a torn ACL.

DeMarvion Overshown

The player from the 2023 draft class that has arguably the most potential for a 2024 impact is LB DeMarvion Overshown.

Overshown was the Cowboys’ third round pick in the 2023 draft, but a torn ACL prematurely ended his season in the third preseason game in Seattle.

The depth at linebacker after losing Overshown and Leighton Vander Esch was never remedied.

Instead, Dan Quinn chose to convert safeties to linebackers and the run defense suffered immensely.

Overshown tore his ACL before the 2023 regular season even started, but we have other examples to show us just how long it could take for a player to return to form if they ever do.

Michael Gallup never fully recovered, and now he’s a free agent.

Terence Steele had one of the worst seasons of his career in 2023 after suffering a torn ACL in October of the 2022 season.

The Cowboys are putting all their eggs in one basket, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it doesn’t work out for them.

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