When the Dallas Cowboys reflect on 2015, undoubtedly they view it as a lost season.
Injuries devastated the team. Quarterback Tony Romo and wide receiver Dez Bryant missed significant time.
They couldn't produce enough points. Backup quarterbacks Brandon Weeden and Matt Cassel didn't get the job done.
Their division was wide open, but because of these issues the Cowboys failed to grab control.
They sputtered to a 4-12 record.
"You have to build your team the right way," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said recently. "One of the things we've talked about as an organization is we have to handle the adversity of the season better. That starts with how we build our football team, how we coach our football team and how our players respond to adversity over the course of 16 weeks. We'll try to do that right here from the outset."
After addressing those concerns in the offseason, the Cowboys look to be one of the favorites in the NFC East — provided they can avoid last year's issues.
Remaining healthy is really the most significant issue facing the squad. As long as Romo can stay on the field, the Cowboys should be competitive enough to fight for a division title, one that went to the 9-7 Washington Redskins in 2015.
Dallas plugged away and tried to fill holes on the roster, though some remain, several due to suspensions. But the NFL draft, in which the franchise made some win-now decisions, illustrates what the front office thinks about its chances in 2016.
Asked if the draft was an interpretation that the Cowboys are closer to 12-4 than 4-12, team owner Jerry Jones didn't hesitate: "I certainly feel that way."
Quarterback
The Cowboys know all too well what happens when there's not a high-quality backup in place. The Cowboys went 1-11 in games Romo didn't start in 2015. He's still the team's leader. But he is 36 and broke his collarbone twice last season, so it was time to find a new Plan B (and C). Jones said that's why the team targeted Paxton Lynch, now a Denver Bronco, in the draft. Kellen Moore enters camp as the No. 2, but Dallas picked Dak Prescott in the fourth round as a potential heir to Romo. As Jones said, "I don't want to write a check with my mouth that he has to cover here, but (Prescott) has it."
Running back
Owning what is widely considered to be the best offensive line in the NFL, the Cowboys didn't necessarily appear to need a star running back. The team seemed to be set for 2016 with Darren McFadden and newly signed Alfred Morris as its top weapons in the backfield. But by selecting former Ohio State rusher Ezekiel Elliott with the No. 4 overall pick, the Cowboys made it clear they wanted more out of the running game a year after losing DeMarco Murray, who led the league in rushing in 2014. McFadden's offseason elbow injury could mean Elliott will be the starter from Day 1. He brings explosiveness as a runner as well as production in the passing game. Dallas drafting a running back in the first round for the first time in eight years has a win-now mentality behind it.
Wide receiver
This group stayed mostly the same with Bryant leading the unit as one of the top wideouts in the league. Cole Beasley is capable in the slot, but Dallas is expecting Terrance Williams, a 2013 third-round pick, to emerge as a consistent player with a breakout season. Williams (6-2, 208) had eight touchdowns in 2014 but followed that up with three scores last season. Still, his 52 receptions and 840 yards were career highs.
Tight end
Jason Witten continues to be one of the leaders on offense, but the team might have found his eventual replacement. Rico Gathers is a project but with a low cost (sixth-round pick, No.217 overall). The former basketball player from Baylor only began training for the NFL in March. At 6-6, 273 pounds, and with great raw athleticism, Gathers is looking to be the next basketball-player-turned tight end, following the paths of greats Antonio Gates and Tony Gonzalez. Said director of player personnel Stephen Jones, "I'm not saying he is going to be one of those guys, but he has the traits." Gavin Escobar returns as a capable backup.
Offensive line
It might be the team's biggest strength, and the starting five are back for another season. Led by left tackle Tyron Smith, guard Zack Martin and center Travis Frederick, Dallas' front excels at pass protection and opening rushing lanes. Guard La'el Collins, who was signed as an undrafted free agent last year after his name surfaced in a murder investigation and scuttled his draft stock, is expected to continue to develop. This group has a chance to be even better in 2016.
Defensive line
This is perhaps Dallas' biggest weakness, and it's why the Cowboys took a risk on Greg Hardy last season. But because of repeated off-the-field concerns, he wasn't be re-signed. Defensive ends Randy Gregory (last year's second-round pick) and DeMarcus Lawrence (a second rounder in 2014) are suspended for the first four games of the season, leaving Dallas without a dynamic pass rusher. That means fourth-round pick Charles Tapper out of Oklahoma likely will be needed to step in right away. The Cowboys signed Cedric Thornton, but he's a run-stopping defensive tackle.
Linebacker
The Cowboys might have gotten the best player in the draft in former Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith with the 34th overall pick, but they'll have to wait. A nerve issue in his leg likely will keep Smith out for this season, though Jerry Jones was pretty optimistic in two ways, saying, "We'll take a chance he'll be back for the playoffs." Whatever Dallas can get from Smith this season should be considered a bonus. Fellow outside linebacker Sean Lee had a minor procedure on his knee but should be back for training camp, though Stephen Jones said the team would be conservative with his practice schedule. The Cowboys re-signed middle linebacker Rolando McClain to a one-year deal before he received a 10-game suspension for another substance-abuse violation. That means third-year pro Anthony Hitchens should see a lot of action early on.
Secondary
With cornerback Morris Claiborne re-signing for 2016, the back end of the defense stays intact. That should mostly be a good thing. Dallas ranked fifth in the NFL with 227 passing yards allowed per game last season. The one big weakness was that the group only recorded five takeaways. With free safety Byron Jones expected to keep improving, the unit could get even better. Depth was an issue, so the Cowboys used their first two picks in the sixth round to select cornerback Anthony Brown from Purdue and strong safety Kavon Frazier from Central Michigan.
Special teams
This group stays intact with Dan Bailey (30-for-32) resuming kicking duties, Chris Jones (45.2 yards per attempt) punting and Lucky Whitehead back as the main threat on returns.
Coaching
Despite the 4-12 record, Jerry Jones vowed to return Garrett as head coach for at least one more season. Garrett kept nearly every assistant, with the exception of secondary coach Jerome Henderson, who took a job with the Atlanta Falcons. Dallas promoted Joe Baker to replace Henderson and also hired former Michigan defensive backs coach Greg Jackson.
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Follow Lorenzo Reyes on Twitter @LorenzoGReyes
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