The Dallas Cowboys pretty much wiped the slate clean on the defensive side of the ball after the completion of the 2025 season, bringing in an entirely new coaching staff as well as many new faces, but are running it back with the same offensive unit in 2026. This was an offense that was one of the best last season and has a chance to be even better this year.
Returning all of their starters from a season ago means Dallas’ offense should pick up where they left off last year. But, they shouldn’t be
complacent with the past success they had. They should want to improve upon the production they had last season and to do that they will need several players to step up their game. Below are the ones that need to improve the most.
LT Tyler Guyton
Guyton, the 29th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has struggled with both consistency and injuries in his first two seasons with the Cowboys. Because of that, the starting left tackle job is currently up for grabs heading into training camp. Guyton and Nate Thomas are reportedly in a head-to-head battle to earn the starting LT job, with No. 60 being the favored option. One of the two needs to step up, otherwise All-Pro LG Tyler Smith would have to kick back outside, further weakening the interior of Dallas’ OL.
RB Jaydon Blue
Other than re-signing Javonte Williams to return as their RB1, the Cowboys surprisingly didn’t do much of anything to upgrade the running back position. As things stand right now, Jaydon Blue is the favored option to back up Williams this year. He’s a perfect complementary back to do his home run ability as a runner or receiver out of the backfield. But, he only appeared in five games last season, falling well below expectations. He needs to make a significant second-year jump to earn the RB2 job though, otherwise Dallas may need to look elsewhere.
C Cooper Beebe
For someone who’s never played the center position in his entire life, Cooper Beebe has done an admirable job starting in the middle of the Cowboys OL the past two seasons. He’s continued to improve each year, but entering Year 3 more is needed from him. Beebe has the talent/skill set to potentially be a first-time Pro Bowl player this year, but only if he continues to develop his game. There’s still room for him to improve as a run blocker and even more so in pass protection. The interior of the OL could be dangerous if he ups his game.
TE Brevyn Spann-Ford
Despite playing less offensive snaps then former second-round pick Luke Schoonmaker last year, Brevyn Spann-Ford outplayed him and moved up to the TE2 spot behind starter Jake Ferguson last year. A former undrafted free agent, Spann-Ford has continued to get better in each of his first two seasons with the Cowboys and could be more heavily involved in 2026 if Dallas does indeed use more two TE sets as rumored. Where Spann-Ford really needs to up his game the most is to become a more reliable/consistent in the receiving game.
QB Joe Milton
Milton was Dak Prescott’s primary backup a season ago, appearing in only four total games. The Cowboys brought in veteran Sam Howell to compete with him this year and they are both supposedly in a head-to-head battle to earn the QB2 job. Of the two, Milton possesses the most talent/upside due to his God-given arm strength and athleticism. Despite his immense upside though, he has thus far lacked the consistency needed to lockdown the QB2 job. With better accuracy/touch throwing the ball, he could become the backup behind Prescott.
