The Dallas Cowboys are enduring a difficult season, and it’s an unusual feeling to be turning attention to the draft this early in December. The team’s poor performance and mistakes on the field have led to this point.
There are several factors contributing to the team’s struggles, and many are calling for head coach Mike McCarthy’s departure at season’s end, which seems warranted. The Cowboys’ biggest issue continues to be self-inflicted errors, a problem McCarthy has claimed to address for the past five years.
However, McCarthy may get a pass from owner Jerry Jones due to the multitude of injuries that have plagued the team. Sitting at 5-8 after three straight 12-win seasons doesn’t sit right, and it’s hard to believe the drop-off is this steep. Regardless of the struggles, there is still football to be played in 2024, and the Cowboys continue to make moves to manage injuries. Recently, they added offensive lineman Braeden Daniels to the practice squad following the injury to right guard Zack Martin, who was placed on Injured Reserve.
Daniels, a Carrollton, Texas native, was a 3-star recruit who initially committed to Illinois before ultimately choosing Utah. His college career at Utah was solid, with him playing left guard before transitioning to right tackle in his junior year. Daniels’ senior season earned him 1st-Team All-Pac 12 honors, catching the attention of NFL scouts.
He was drafted in the 4th round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Washington Commanders, but a torn rotator cuff in training camp sidelined him for his rookie season. Daniels was later cut by Washington and has since spent time on practice squads with the Houston Texans, Los Angeles Chargers, and Philadelphia Eagles, before landing with the Cowboys.
How Can He Help Dallas?
Daniels offers additional depth to an offensive line that has been plagued by injuries. With Martin out for the season and other players like Tyler Guyton and Tyler Smith also missing time, the Cowboys needed to add another body. While Daniels may not be called up for this weekend’s game against Carolina, he is likely seen as a developmental prospect for the future.
During his college years, Daniels played both inside and at right tackle. He was listed as a right tackle with the Texans but as a guard with the Chargers and Eagles. His versatility is a trait the Cowboys value highly in their offensive linemen.
Though Daniels has yet to play in an NFL game, the Cowboys likely took a chance on him as a former 4th-round pick who is just a year removed from recovering from a rotator cuff injury. With the Cowboys’ renowned rehabilitation staff, including Britt Brown and renowned surgeon Dan Cooper, Daniels could regain full strength and work on his technique with OL Coach Mike Solari. With time and focused training, he can work to re-align his mechanics and get back on track.
Mario Herrera Jr., a husband and father of three, has been a passionate Dallas Cowboys fan since 1991. As a stats enthusiast, he is deeply invested in understanding the team’s dynamics, although he recognizes that stats alone don’t tell the whole story. Writing about the Cowboys is his true passion, and he is a dedicated Dak Prescott supporter.
It feels as though the root cause of the Cowboys’ struggles is precisely what you mentioned: their lack of discipline, preparation, and focus. These issues seem to have contributed directly to the rash of injuries. A different approach—such as bringing in a player like Derrick Henry—could have potentially kept the offense more balanced, limiting the pressure on the defense and reducing turnovers.
