Cowboys Week 2 position power rankings: Linebackers rise

With their defense carrying the load, the Dallas Cowboys picked up a big win in their season opener against the Cleveland Browns. We went into the game with certain notions about the strengths and weaknesses of the roster, so how did Week 1 change those perceptions?

Remember, this isn’t a ranking of how the different positions performed in just the previous contest. This is a living list that will change as we move through the year. The first edition was based on past performance and offseason moves, so now we finally have some more concrete evidence of where various Cowboys stand.

1. Guard (Last Week: 1st) – It wasn’t a standout night for the interior line. One of the ugliest plays was actually on Zack Martin, who got beaten badly by Dalvin Tomlinson for an early sack. That was the only glaring breakdown, but we didn’t see much push up front to help the run game either. The guards need a much stronger showing against New Orleans to avoid losing the top spot.
2. Defensive End (LW: 3rd) – It’s not often that DeMarcus Lawrence gets to shine as brightly as Micah Parsons, but both were outstanding in Cleveland. They combined for three sacks and harassed Deshaun Watson all day, including Parsons tipping a pass that led to Eric Kendricks’ interception. Marshawn Kneeland also had a strong debut with a pass deflection and two QB hits.
3. Quarterback (LW: 2nd) – Dak Prescott didn’t have big numbers but he played a clean game despite plenty of pressure. There were a few near misses, but he finished with no turnovers and some pretty throws to CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks. Returning home will help, but the Saints’ defense is stingy against the pass.
4. Linebacker (LW: 8th) – A great debut for Eric Kendricks and DeMarvion Overshown leads to a big jump in the rankings. We said last week that this group was held back by the unknown and, for at least one week, they gave evidence of having gone from a liability to a strength for the defense.
5. Safety (LW: 4th) – It was a quiet night for the safeties but that’s because the front seven was doing most of the damage. They didn’t really get chances to make plays.
6. Cornerback (LW: 7th) – Diggs had a pick, Caelen Carson held up well against Amari Cooper and other Browns receivers, and Jourdan Lewis had a strong game overall. They’ll miss DaRon Bland at some point but the Browns weren’t in a position to make them feel it.
7. Wide Receiver (LW: 5th) – There wasn’t much volume for the receivers but the starters made plays when given chances. Only one catch for Jalen Tolbert was disappointing but he should get more looks in the weeks ahead.
8. Tight End (LW: 6th) – Jake Ferguson’s knee injury was the scariest moment of the game but he appears relatively unscathed. No other TE even got a target.
9. Offensive Tackle (LW: 10th) – Tyler Guyton passed the Myles Garrett test, grading as one of the top rookie OTs in Week 1. We still need to see more in the run blocking from both the rookie and Terence Steele, but they won’t see too many defenses this year as good as Cleveland’s.
10. Center (LW: 11th) – When Tomlinson burst through the line and swallowed Prescott, we all assumed that was on Cooper Beebe. But the rookie center actually gave up no pressures in his debut. He won’t get noticed the same way Guyton does out on the edge, but Beebe’s first outing showed he’s in the right job.
11. Defensive Tackle (LW: 9th) – There were no big plays from the DTs but no major breakdowns either. They tread water this week, holding the Browns’ running game in check but failing to make any singularly noteworthy plays.
12. Running Back (LW: 12th) – If not for a few sweeps by Lamb to boost the average, the rushing offense would’ve averaged just 3.5 yards per carry. Zeke had a few nice plays, leaping a defender and scoring a TD, but it was crickets for the most part in the ground game.

Did we give anyone too much praise, or perhaps not enough? What would your list look like? Share it with us in the comments!