The Dallas Cowboys are getting closer and closer to the start of the regular season and there are still so many questions about the roster heading into 2024.
While Dak Prescott has been present at practices this offseason and throughout training camp despite playing the final year of his current contract, there are still huge questions about CeeDee Lamb and why the organization has yet to ink their star wide receiver to a long-term extension.
Many believe this could be the final season the Cowboys could make a legitimate run at a Super Bowl with the current roster in place. The Dallas Cowboys have to find a way to pay their three biggest superstars, Prescott, Lamb and pass rusher Micah Parsons by the end of 2024, and all three have a strong argument to become the highest paid player in their respective positions in the entire NFL.
While Jerry Jones has continually said the organization is working to extend Lamb, nothing will be certain until a new deal is signed.
Prescott has both said he wants to remain with the Cowboys but also has touched on the reality he may have to switch teams after the season. Parsons is playing 2024 on the franchise tag and expecting a new deal within the year.
Mike McCarthy found success calling plays last season and orchestrated one of the top offenses in the NFL, but while his team has performed well in the regular season the last three years, they have choked in the playoffs.
The Dallas Cowboys have a ton of unanswered questions and also are heading into the new season with questions beyond their biggest stars. How will the defense — a unit that has ranked atop the NFL the last few seasons under Dan Quinn — perform with Mike Zimmer taking over the reign?
Dallas lost a few key defenders who followed Quinn to Washington or went elsewhere and the Cowboys have to adjust to Zimmer’s defense and are expected to perform immediately.
One player who had a slow start to his NFL career expected to shine on defense in his second year is last year’s first-round pick, Mazi Smith.
Dallas Cowboys First-Round Pick Mazi Smith Has Allergic Reaction, Not Traveling To Preseason Game Vs, Raiders
According to the team, Smith did not travel with the Cowboys to Las Vegas ahead of Saturday’s preseason game against the Raiders, the franchise announced. He suffered an allergic reaction Friday afternoon at training camp.
The Cowboys confirmed Smith received treatment and will receive further evaluation on Saturday ahead of the 9 p.m. CT kickoff at Allegiant Stadium. As for what his status will be, that update will come later in the day, the team said.
Smith is preparing for his second NFL season after the Dallas Cowboys selected him in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Michigan. He appeared in 17 games last season, including three starts, and totaled 13 tackles and a sack during that time.
New Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer has expressed a plan to get the most out of Smith in year two. He’s going to move from the 3-technique position and play more of the blocks in the new scheme.
“He lost a lot of weight when he got here,” Zimmer said. “He was trying to be an attacking 3-technique to get up the field.”
“We’re gonna probably play blocks a little bit more, and try not to get reached so linebackers know where they’re supposed to fit — so forth and so on. That’s the biggest thing. … Yeah, it’s what he did in college.“
Zimmer believes Smith has the tools to thrive this season for the Dallas Cowboys.
“Obviously, he was a high draft pick,” Zimmer said. “I heard that he kinda struggled last year, so we’re gonna start with the basics: get him in a good stance, get him using his hands the right way, getting his footwork the right way and then go from there.”
