Niner Noise
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NFL power rankings: Final 32-team breakdown ahead of the 2018 draft

By Peter Panacy

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: (L-R) A detailed view of the pick is in for the #1 overall pick by the Los Angeles Rams during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: (L-R) A detailed view of the pick is in for the #1 overall pick by the Los Angeles Rams during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – NOVEMBER 19: Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, walks on the field before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium on November 19, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – NOVEMBER 19: Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, walks on the field before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium on November 19, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

. . Previous: . Dallas Cowboys. 14. team. 123

Hmm… what to make of the Cowboys offseason? More importantly, what should we expect in 2018?

On one hand, the Cowboys finishing last year at 9-7 despite not having their biggest offensive weapon, running back Ezekiel Elliott, for six games is quite the achievement. That bodes well, as does a young and up-and-coming defensive secondary.

But there are still too many question marks to justify moving Dallas any further up our NFL power rankings.

For starters, quarterback Dak Prescott regressed last year. Was this due to him not having quite as solid an offensive line, or has the rest of the league “figured him out?” We’ll learn in year three of his pro career what trajectory he’s on.

Receiving targets Dez Bryant and Jason Witten are older, and it might be time to replace them. And the one-year franchise tag on EDGE Demarcus Lawrence seems more like a stopgap solution than long-term answer. That, until a long-term deal is reached.

Either way, one can look at the Cowboys’ future this season and see signs the year could go either way.

Both good and bad.