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2019 NFL Power Rankings: Who heads into summer at No. 1?

By Ian Cummings

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 23: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns warms up prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 23: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns warms up prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 05: Amari Cooper #19 of the Dallas Cowboys runs the ball after a catch against the Seattle Seahawks in the second half during the Wild Card Round at AT&T Stadium on January 05, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 05: Amari Cooper #19 of the Dallas Cowboys runs the ball after a catch against the Seattle Seahawks in the second half during the Wild Card Round at AT&T Stadium on January 05, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

No. 11 – Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys have made unpredictability an art. From NFL season to NFL season, no one knows what to expect from Jason Garrett. He’s been around for eight and a half seasons now, and in that time, there have been high peaks, and low valleys.

There were once whispers that Garrett’s job was in danger, but after winning the NFC East three times in the past five seasons, Garrett has bought himself more time, something he’s never been low on with Jerry Jones in the front office.

Now, in 2019, Garrett will take command of one of his most talented squads yet, and the expectations are high. Quarterback Dak Prescott heads an offense stocked with talents such as Ezekiel Elliott, Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, Randall Cobb, Allen Hurns, and recently un-retired tight end Jason Witten (I’m just as skeptical as you are, don’t worry). The Cowboys now have former NFL quarterback Kellen Moore calling the plays as well, and with Moore comes the hope of a modernized offensive attack.

On defense, the Cowboys might be even better. Their defensive front could stand to improve a bit, but Demarcus Lawrence and Robert Quinn make for a very good edge rushing duo, and on the interior, names like Trysten Hill, Daniel Wise, and Kerry Hyder provide good upside alongside Tyrone Crawford. The team’s linebacking core is borderline elite, with Leighton Vander Esch, Jaylon Smith, and Sean Lee holding down the fort. And in the secondary, the Cowboys are buoyed by elite athlete Byron Jones, rising star Chidobe Awuzie, and Jourdan Lewis.

There are questions surrounding the Cowboys, of course. Will Jeff Heath and Xavier Woods provide sustainable success at safety? Can the offensive line keep up its past level of play? And can the coaching changes translate to on-field success? Whatever the case, the Cowboys have the talent to withstand a degree of adverse circumstances, and they should be in the thick of the NFC playoff conversation.

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