ESPN NFL power rankings barely have Cowboys as top half team

Given that the NFL draft has concluded, we know what each team is going to look like for the most part. The games have to happen as noted, but we can at least start to draw some mild conclusions. The worldwide leader attempted to do this on Tuesday as they launched a set of power rankings under the premise of “who improved this offseason.” They ranked each team and noted the specific position group that they improved the most at. You can also see where each team moved from the “way-too-early” rankings that ESPN did earlier this offseason. ESPN has the Dallas Cowboys at number 16 at this moment in time.

**16. Dallas Cowboys**

**Way-too-early ranking:** 18

**Most improved position:** Safety

The Cowboys signed Jalen Thompson to their richest free agent deal since 2012 (three years, $33 million). They also added P.J. Locke in free agency. But they tripled down at safety, trading up one spot to take Ohio State’s Caleb Downs. He not only was the best safety in the draft but also was considered perhaps the best overall prospect. A large part of new coordinator Christian Parker’s scheme will be based on versatility; Thompson, Locke and, certainly, Downs can and will play multiple spots.

A year ago, the Cowboys had Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson as their starting safeties. Hooker remains, but Wilson is still unsigned. The backups were Markquese Bell and Juanyeh Thomas. Bell is still there, but his role will be altered by the 2026 additions. *— Todd Archer* It is fun to remember that the Cowboys added all sorts of players to the secondary besides Caleb Downs. We should also recall that Dallas swam further into free agency waters than they ever have since the Brandon Carr deal a decade and a half ago as noted. Christian Parker has essentially assembled his avengers in the secondary and that will go a long way to improving the defense as a whole, not just the safety position. Does 16 feel fair, though? Should the Cowboys be ranked higher than any of these other teams that ESPN had ahead of them?

1. Seattle Seahawks
2. Los Angeles Rams
3. Denver Broncos
4. Buffalo Bills
5. Philadelphia Eagles
6. New England Patriots
7. Green Bay Packers
8. San Francisco 49ers
9. Chicago Bears
10. Baltimore Ravens
11. Detroit Lions
12. Kansas City Chiefs
13. Houston Texans
14. Los Angeles Chargers
15. Jacksonville Jaguars It is going to be interesting to see how the Cowboys move throughout the summer in this overall regard. Whether or not you think their ranking is fair it stands to reason that this could be the lowest that they are ever ranked and/or perceived as we expect the offense to play well and the improved defense to sustain the overall group’s play. Consider how FanDuel Sportsbook views the NFC East at present moment, though. These odds are as of May 5th to be clear.

Odds to win the NFC East

• Philadelphia Eagles, +140
• Dallas Cowboys, +200
• Washington Commanders, +400
• New York Giants, +600 As has been the case for most of the last decade, the Eagles and Cowboys have separated themselves from the rest of the division. Unlike the last couple of years though, he Cowboys are right on the Eagles’ tail. It isn’t necessarily a coin-flip proposition, but oddsmakers think the Cowboys have a chance to win the NFC East for the first time since 2023. What do you think? Should the Cowboys be ranked higher? Will they win the division? Let us know in the comments down below.