Kickoff Primer: An instant guide to the 2016 Dallas Cowboys

AFC Previews
BUF | MIA | NE | NYJ
BAL | CIN | CLE | PIT
HOU | IND | JAX | TEN
DEN | KC | OAK | SD
NFC Previews
DAL | NYG | PHI | WAS
CHI | DET | GB | MIN
ATL | CAR | NO | TB
ARI | LA | SF | SEA

Dallas Cowboys

Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Jason Garrett
Offensive Coordinator: Scott Linehan
Defensive Coordinator: Rod Marinelli

Key Additions

• RB Ezekiel Elliott (1st round)
• QB Dak Prescott (4th round)
• DT Cedric Thornton
• RB Alfred Morris
• DE Benson Mayowa
• DE Charles Tapper (4th round)
• QB Mark Sanchez

Key Departures

• DT Nick Hayden
• QB Matt Cassel
• RB Robert Turbin
• DE Greg Hardy
• DE Ryan Russell
• WR Devin Street

Preseason Power Ranking - No. 11

The Cowboys' offensive trio of Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, and Ezekiel Elliott could light up the league, but with what feels like half the defense suspended, they're among the league's boom-or-bust teams. More...

Projected Starting Lineup

*quarterback Tony Romo (back) is expected to miss the first 8-10 weeks of the season

*Defensive ends Randy Gregory (four games) and Demarcus Lawrence (four games) would be starters if not for their suspensions

Questions to Answer

• Will Ezekiel Elliott be able to play up to expectations and have a ROY-type season?
• Where will the pass-rush come from with Gregory and Lawrence suspended?
• How will Dak Prescott lead the Cowboys while Romo is sidelined?

Best-case Scenario

Prescott continues to build on his impressive preseason, finding chemistry with Bryant and creates a Brady-Bledsoe situation when, or if, Romo returns. Elliott lives up to his high expectations and challenges for 2,000 yards as a rookie behind a stellar offensive line. The defense weathers the storm until Lawrence and Gregory return, bringing a solid pass rush with them. The Cowboys conquer the NFC East with a 11-5 record and make it all the way to the Super Bowl with their new franchise quarterback.

Worst-case Scenario

Opposing defenses figure out Prescott's tendencies in a hurry and load the box to stuff Elliott's run game. Gregory ends up losing his suspension appeal and misses 10 games, while the Cowboys never find their pass rush. Romo rushes back to try and save the day only to be injured once again before the Cowboys are ready to move forward with Prescott. The team stumbles to find any consistency and falls to a 5-11 season with the future at quarterback in serious doubt.