The last two seasons provide the perfect snapshot of what the Dallas Cowboys can be. At their best, they are a clock-chewing model of efficiency on offense with arguably the NFL's best line. At their worst, they are just one injury away from being a laughing stock. Which version of the Cowboys will show up in 2016 largely depends on health, obviously. With Tony Romo upright, Dallas has the best shot to emerge from the rubble that is the NFC East. But the 2016 Cowboys will also be partly shaped by who they invest the fourth overall pick in.
Owner/general manager Jerry Jones could go in a lot of different directions with that pick. He can find an immediate impact player who can help Dallas win games right now. Or, he can play the long game and start thinking about life after Romo. For what it's worth, ESPN NFL Draft Insider Mel Kiper Jr. thinks that he will go with the latter strategy and take Cal quarterback Jared Goff.
"This is going to be a fascinating situation," Kiper wrote. "On one hand, the Dallas front office isn't the least bit delusional if they look at the roster with a healthy Tony Romo and believe they can compete for a playoff spot, which makes it harder to take a QB who might not see the field for a couple years. But...let's not forget that they need to upgrade the backup QB situation, period. That's what derailed them last season when Romo was out. Tough call, especially if Goff is the top QB on their board and he's available here."
The struggle is real for Jones this year. On one hand, critics have always pointed to his short-term view as his biggest weakness as an owner. Jones' impatience has led to many questionable decisions in the past that have hurt the team. Now, he has the opportunity to plan for the future and potentially avoid the no man's land that countless franchises find themselves in after the departure of a long-term starting quarterback.
On the other hand, it wasn't too long ago that the Cowboys were Super Bowl picks. With a healthy Romo, an improving defense and a difference making rookie at No. 4, who knows what this team could do in 2016. Jones has to wonder if the time to push all his chips into the pot is now.
What will he ultimately decide? Your guess is as good as mine.
