Is Jerry Jones Playing Chess or Just Rolling the Dice with the Cowboys’ Draft Strategy?
Jerry Jones once quipped, “Stats are for losers. They relish in them.” If that’s true, then Cowboys fans might want to ignore the numbers from their team’s disastrous 7-10 season—their first losing campaign since 2020. The frustration in Dallas is as loud as a Texas coyote’s howl, and with the 2025 NFL Draft approaching, everyone is looking to Jones for answers. But rather than addressing the Cowboys’ glaring offensive struggles, particularly the worst rushing attack in the league (just 463 yards through six weeks), the franchise appears to be eyeing a defensive tackle from Mississippi.
Walter Nolen at No. 12: A Defensive Fix for an Offensive Mess?
Reports indicate that Dallas is considering selecting Walter Nolen, a disruptive defensive tackle out of Ole Miss, with the 12th overall pick. Nolen, known for his agility and power, recorded 14 tackles and 6.5 sacks last season. With current Pro Bowl defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa heading into free agency, the Cowboys need reinforcements on the defensive front. However, many are questioning whether prioritizing a defensive lineman over much-needed offensive improvements is the right move.
Dallas’ defense struggled last season, ranking 31st in the league while allowing 27.5 points per game and surrendering 2,331 rushing yards. Fixing that unit is certainly important, but their offensive problems are just as pressing. The offensive line was a mess, and the running game was nearly nonexistent. Drafting Nolen to shore up the defensive line while ignoring an offense that struggled to move the ball seems like a misguided approach—akin to buying a new grill while the house is burning down.
The Cowboys’ Running Game: A Crisis Ignored
One of the most baffling aspects of Dallas’ approach is their reluctance to improve the run game. Last season, the offense ranked 21st in scoring, averaging just 20.6 points per game. Injuries plagued the offensive line, with rookie Tyler Guyton missing time and veteran Zack Martin showing signs of decline. Yet, instead of investing in a top-tier running back or bolstering the offensive line, the Cowboys seem content to rely on Rico Dowdle and a declining Ezekiel Elliott.
Jones himself once said, “I overpaid for my big successes every time.” But this time, rather than spending big on a proven playmaker, he’s betting on a defensive tackle to solve a team-wide crisis. Meanwhile, quarterback Dak Prescott is left to operate behind a patchwork offensive line, with no consistent run support to keep defenses honest.
Dak Prescott’s Uphill Battle
Prescott’s 2024 season was a rollercoaster, marked by injury and inconsistent support. He suffered a severe hamstring injury, and without a reliable rushing attack, he was forced to shoulder the entire offensive load. Dowdle managed to reach 1,000 rushing yards—a major achievement for an undrafted player—but even that milestone came with a costly fumble in a 41-7 blowout loss to the Eagles.
Now, the Cowboys’ running back situation is in even worse shape. Dowdle is a free agent, Elliott is a shadow of his former self, and the team didn’t draft a running back last year. Prescott’s numbers—1,978 passing yards and 11 touchdowns in eight games—were respectable, but without a strong ground game, he was constantly under pressure. The Cowboys finished the season with a turnover differential of -11, a clear indicator of their struggles.
The Bigger Picture: Is Jerry Jones Stuck in the Past?
While Jones focuses on drafting a defensive tackle, teams like the Philadelphia Eagles are proving the value of a dominant rushing attack. Saquon Barkley is on the verge of breaking Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record, showing what a strong running game can do for an offense. Meanwhile, the Cowboys continue to neglect the very element that could take the pressure off their quarterback and balance their offense.
Jones has long been known for his bold, sometimes reckless, decisions. He once said, “You wouldn’t want to see the size of the check I’d write for a Super Bowl.” But if the Cowboys continue down this path, that check might as well be void. Failing to address the run game could push Prescott to his limits, and in a city as demanding as Dallas, patience is already wearing thin.
As the 2025 season approaches, the question remains: Is Jerry Jones playing chess while everyone else plays checkers, or is he simply gambling on outdated strategies? If the Cowboys don’t find answers fast,the latter may prove true.