The Dallas Cowboys are gearing up for the 2025 season with a chip on their shoulder, determined to prove that last year’s injury-plagued campaign was a mere hiccup, not a harbinger of their future. After a 2024 season derailed by injuries, particularly to quarterback Dak Prescott, the Cowboys are banking on a healthier roster to reclaim their spot among the NFL’s elite. But a recent ranking by ESPN’s Bill Barnwell has raised eyebrows, placing Dallas’ offensive weapons at a surprising 11th in the league—a position that feels like a slap in the face to a team brimming with potential.
1. Eagles
10. Dolphins
32. Titans@billbarnwell ranks the NFL’s best WR, RB and TE groups for 2025 đ https://t.co/ybNXkhwL2R— ESPN (@espn) July 8, 2025
Last season was a tough pill to swallow for Cowboys fans. Injuries ravaged the squad, with Prescott’s ailments casting a long shadow over the offense. Star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, a cornerstone of the team’s attack, saw his production dip, finishing as the 17th-ranked wide receiver in yards per route run. Barnwell attributes much of this to Prescott’s absence, noting that Lamb’s slot-heavy role thrives on a quarterback with pinpoint accuracy and the guts to thread the needle in tight coverage—qualities Prescott brings in spades when healthy. “Even in what felt like a down year before a shoulder injury led the Cowboys to wave the white flag,” Barnwell wrote, “Lamb remained a force, but his performance was undeniably tied to his quarterback’s health.”
The Cowboys’ offense is a sleeping giant, loaded with weapons that could explode if the stars align. Lamb, a dynamic playmaker, is poised for a bounce-back year, especially if Prescott returns to full strength. The quarterback’s ability to deliver precise passes into tight windows is tailor-made for Lamb’s skill set, creating a synergy that could propel Dallas back into the upper echelon of NFL offenses. However, Barnwell cautions that Lamb’s reliance on Prescott’s elite accuracy might make him slightly less adaptable to a quarterback change compared to peers like Justin Jefferson or Ja’Marr Chase—a subtle but critical distinction at the top of the receiver hierarchy.
As the Cowboys head into 2025, the health of their signal-caller will be the linchpin. A fully recovered Prescott, paired with Lamb and a supporting cast eager to erase the memory of 2024, could turn this 11th-ranked offense into a juggernaut. The potential is undeniable, but the question remains: can Dallas stay healthy and silence the doubters? One thing is certain—the Cowboys are ready to prove they’re far better than their preseason ranking suggests.