​The Dallas Cowboys effectively wiped the slate clean on the defensive side of the ball after finishing the 2025 season, bringing in an entirely fresh coaching staff and a host of new faces. Yet they plan to roll the dice with the same offensive unit in 2026, a group that was among the league’s best last season and could be even more dangerous in the year ahead. With all of their starters returning on offense, Dallas should pick up where they left off, but resting on last year’s laurels would be a mistake. To push for continued improvement and to maximize the potential of this unit, several players need to elevate their level of play. Here are the names who have the most to prove.
First, veteran wide receiver Guyton, the 29th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has endured a rocky start to his Cowboys career, battling inconsistency and injuries over his first two seasons. Heading into training camp, the starting left tackle job is up for grabs, with Guyton and Nate Thomas engaged in a tight competition. The staff reportedly favors No. 60, but the real test will be who can hold up against pro-level pass rushes on a weekly basis. If neither candidate steps forward, All-Pro left guard Tyler Smith could be forced to slide back outside, which would further destabilize Dallas’ interior line. The left tackle position remains a pivotal area to monitor, and whoever wins the job will need to prove they can protect the quarterback while also enabling the running game to function smoothly.
On the backfield, the Cowboys made a relatively low-impact move by re-signing Javonte Williams to return as the RB1. Beyond that, the running back corps saw little in the way of upgrades, leaving Jaydon Blue as the current favorite to back up Williams this season. Blue is a natural fit as a complementary back, capable of delivering home run pops as a runner or providing a reliable option out of the backfield as a receiver. However, his sample size was far from ideal last year, with just five appearances that fell short of expectations. To lock down the RB2 role, Blue will need a significant jump in production and consistency in 2026. If he fails to emerge, Dallas may need to explore other options to ensure the backfield isn’t a liability.
Along the interior line, Cooper Beebe has done an admirable job filling center duties the past two seasons despite never having played the position before. He has shown steady improvement, but entering Year 3, more is demanded of him. Beebe possesses the talent and skill set to potentially become a first-time Pro Bowler this season, provided he continues to develop. The areas for improvement are clear: run-blocking consistency and, perhaps more crucially, his pass protection. If Beebe can tighten up those aspects, the Cowboys’ interior OL could become a formidable force, anchoring both the run game and pass protection with greater authority.
Tight end is another area where Beebe’s former trajectory and Spann-Ford’s progression intersect in meaningful ways. Brevyn Spann-Ford, who has outperformed Luke Schoonmaker despite playing fewer offensive snaps last season, has ascended to the TE2 role behind Jake Ferguson. Spann-Ford, an undrafted free agent who has continued to improve over his first two years, could see more extensive involvement in 2026—especially if Dallas pursues more two-tight-end sets as has been speculated. Where Spann-Ford needs to make the most impact is in the receiving game: becoming a more reliable and consistent target, converting catches into timely yardage, and contributing as a versatile outlet in multiple formations.
For these players, the path to a standout 2026 season is clear: elevate consistency, improve technique, and seize these opportunities to diversify Dallas’ offensive approach. If Guyton can hold down the left tackle spot, Blue can prove he is a viable long-term complement to Williams, Beebe can solidify the interior with improved run and pass blocking, and Spann-Ford can become a consistent and explosive receiving option from the tight end position, Dallas’ offense will not only replicate last year’s success but potentially surpass it. The Cowboys have a high-ceiling offense, and the players highlighted here are the ones who must rise to the occasion to ensure the unit reaches its full potential in 2026.