STATE OF THE FRANCHISE

While Romo and ferociously talented wide receiver Dez Bryant are still around, Murray cashed in on his career year and signed a big free agent contract with Philadelphia, leaving the Cowboys' backfield in flux. The club quickly brought in oft-injured former Raider Darren McFadden to join a running back stable that still includes third-year player Joseph Randle, who's had multiple off-field incidents that could have him on his last chance in Dallas; nimble change-of-pace back Lance Dunbar; and former Cardinals' second-round pick Ryan Williams, who has his own checkered injury history and spent last season on the Dallas practice squad.

A committee approach seems likely, given the different skill sets involved, but if McFadden, Randle or Williams emerge with a starter's workload, they should be able to put up some impressive numbers given who they'll be running behind. Dallas' offensive line, already boasting first-round picks and Pro Bowlers in Tyron Smith at left tackle, Travis Frederick at center and Zack Martin at right guard, was reinforced by La'el Collins, a potential top-10 pick who went undrafted after his name was linked to a police investigation in Louisiana. Collins was later scooped up by the Cowboys, and what was already a team strength became something potentially legendary.

The Cowboys have an all-world offensive line, an elite quarterback-wide receiver combo and a pass rush that figures to be much improved with free agent Greg Hardy and second-round pick Randy Gregory (another player who's off-field issues caused him to drop out of the first round) joining second-year defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence. They seem poised to not only return to the postseason, but finish the job they started in 2014 and challenge for the team's first Super Bowl in two decades.

OFFSEASON MOVES

Key Acquisitions

Greg Hardy – DE, Panthers
He'll provide a boost to a struggling Dallas pass rush once he returns from a lengthy suspension due to multiple off-field incidents.

Byron Jones – CB/S, Connecticut (ROUND 1, 27th overall)
He should win a starting job somewhere in a thin secondary.

Randy Gregory – DE, Nebraska (ROUND 2, 60th overall)
The first-round pass rush talent slipped in the draft due to off-field concerns.

La'el Collins – OT, LSU (UNDRAFTED)
Another player with a first-round grade who went undrafted due to off-field concerns, which the Cowboys ultimately determined were unfounded.

Key Losses

Dwayne Harris – WR, Giants
A valuable special teams player, who couldn't get many snaps on offense in Dallas.

Henry Melton – DT, Buccaneers
Follows Lovie Smith to Tampa Bay after a disappointing campaign with the Cowboys.

TEAM NOTES

THE COWBOYS' INCREDIBLE DRAFT HEIST
Heading into the draft, many assumed that the always-restless Jerry Jones would swing some deals – possibly even for Adrian Peterson – and liven up the proceedings. Instead, Jones showed discipline in trusting his team's big board, and was rewarded beyond his wildest dreams. After defensive back Byron Jones fell to them at 27, the Cowboys took another projected first-round pick in the second round when they nabbed Randy Gregory, arguably the draft's best pass rush prospect, whose positive marijuana test caused him to drop. After the draft was concluded, Jones then signed La'el Collins, another projected first-rounder who went unselected due to a league-wide reaction to an off-field situation that cropped up before the draft. Collins joins Gregory and Jones in an incredible, improbable rookie class that could provide the Cowboys with a backbone of success for the rest of the decade.

PASS RUSH GOES FROM TOOTHLESS TO RUTHLESS
The Cowboys' pass rush scared no one last season. Jeremy Mincey, signed as a bargain free agent, led the team with just six sacks. Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, a 2014 second-round pick, missed time with a foot injury and failed to record a regular season sack at all, but did get two in two playoff games. While Gregory and Lawrence both show promise, the real star could be Greg Hardy, who racked up 15 sacks in 2013 but played just one game for the Panthers last season after he was placed on the NFL's Exempt/Commissioner's Permission List. Currently suspended for a further 10 games, Hardy should eventually provide the Cowboys with the game-changing pass rusher they've lacked since DeMarcus Ware was in his prime.

VALUE METER

Declining: The years and miles started to catch up with Jason Witten last year, and while he still has value to the Cowboys, his fantasy value could begin a freefall.

Sleeper: Third-year deep threat Terrance Williams saw his role diminish last season thanks to the running game's resurgence, but with DeMarco Murray gone, more targets could head his way.

Supersleeper: After spending a year on the practice squad, Ryan Williams has a chance to win a significant role in a wide-open running back competition if he can stay healthy.

IDP WATCH

DeMarcus Lawrence - DE
Last year's second-round pick showed flashes of pass rush ability as a rookie, including sacks in both of the Cowboys' playoff games.

Barry Church - S
The heavy-hitting safety just missed a second consecutive 100-tackle season, but could get more chances thanks to a rapidly improving pass rush.