The Dallas Cowboys added 11 new players over the weekend as they made great strides to revamp their defense. Of course, 31 other teams got better as well. Today, I'm going to run down all 14 of the Cowboys opponents for the upcoming season and identify which draft pick will be the most dangerous for Dallas to go against as well as one other player from each team who some could be sleeping on.
To start things off, let's begin with their NFC East rivals.
Washington Football Team
Most dangerous addition: Dyami Brown, WR, North Carolina
If Washington can just be average on offense, they will make some real noise as their defense is loaded with talent. And that is just what they're trying to do as they've added free agents Ryan Fitzpatrick, Curtis Samuel, and Adam Humphries, who all join rising star wide receiver Terry McLaurin. Throw in another weapon in third-round pick Brown and WFT could make a push to be the first repeat NFC East champions in over 15 years.
Don't forget about: John Bates, TE, Boise State
With new receiving weapons added and a breakout season from tight end Logan Thomas, don't expect Bates to make any noise in the receiving game. Instead, look for him to provide a nice addition as an inline blocker to help Antonio Gibson build on a strong rookie season.
New York Giants
Most dangerous addition: Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
Giants fans were livid when the Eagles stole DeVonta Smith right out from under them, but you have to give general manager Dave Gettleman credit for adapting. New York executed their contingency plan to perfection by trading back with the Chicago Bears, adding a 2022 first-round pick as well as the next best WR in the draft in Toney. With the free agent acquistion of Kenny Golladay to go along with Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard, Toney's addition in the slot suddenly gives the Giants some dangerous receiving weapons.
Don't forget about: Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia
Ojulari was selected 50th overall, so nobody is going to forget about him, but this bendy pass rusher with excellent get-off is exceptional value at this point in the draft. His stock fell due to an injury, which could end up being a blessing in disguise for the Giants defense as the 20-year old has the athleticism and length to be a real troublemaker for the Cowboys down the road.
Philadelphia Eagles
Most dangerous addition: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
The Cowboys had a hand in Smith going to the Eagles as they traded their 10th overall pick to Philadelphia, moving back two spots to 12. This allowed the Eagles to jump ahead of the Giants to select Smith. His 170 lbs frame isn't ideal, but he's an elite separator and always seems to come down with the ball if it's anywhere in his vicinity. This offseason, the Eagles moved on from Carson Wentz so this will re-unite Smith with Jalen Hurts, who played his first three years at Alabama before transferring to Oklahoma.
Don't forget about: Marlon Tuipulotu, DT, USC
Landing Tuipulotu in the sixth round is such a great value for the Eagles as he provides some nice depth along their interior line. He doesn't offer up much as a pass rusher, but his ability to escape blockers make him very solid against the run.
The Cowboys will also play all four teams from the NFC South.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Most dangerous addition: Jaelon Darden, WR, North Texas
As if Tom Brady doesn't have enough weapons to throw to already, he now gets an explosive 5'8" missile to help take the top off the defense. It's almost not fair. Darden wasn't selected until the fourth round and a total of 16 wide receivers went before him, but just that added element of speed he brings to the receiving game makes the Tampa Bay offense even more dangerous.
Don't forget about: Joe Tryon, EDGE, Washington
It's bad enough that the Super Bowl Champion Buccaneers didn't lose any starters this offseason, but then they turn around and snag a nice upside pass rusher in Tryon. While the newest addition to the defense may not make an immediate impact, he's a player to keep an eye on as the season progresses.
New Orleans Saints
Most dangerous addition: Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford
The Saints patience at cornerback paid off as they were able to address two other defensive positions before taking Adebo in the third round. This is exceptional value for a CB who has the size and speed to make plays on the ball. Don't be surprised if he steps in as a starting corner sooner versus later.
Don't forget about: Ian Book, QB, Notre Dame
With the retirement of Drew Brees, the Saints have a lot to figure out at the quarterback position. Both Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill are in the mix, but the fourth round selection of Book could mean he's a part of the Saints future. Then again, when has a quarterback taken with a fourth-round compensatory pick ever worked out? Oh, wait.
Carolina Panthers
Most dangerous addition: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
Things were going great for the Cowboys in round one when it looked like a cornerback was going to fall to them at pick 10. Unfortunately, the Panthers kicked off a two-corner run when they selected Horn at pick 8. Horn's fiesty spirit and athleticism will be interesting to watch at the NFL level and it looks like Cowboys fans will have a front row seat this year.
Don't forget about: Deonte Brown, G, Alabama
The Panthers added a monster of a body in Bama's Brown as the 344 lb offensive lineman is not going to be easy to move. His lack of lateral movement caused him to slide to Carolina all the way until round six, but if he can work out a few kinks, this powerful blocker could work himself onto the team's OLine unit.
Atlanta Falcons
Most dangerous addition: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
Some Cowboys fans were holding their breath that planet-player tight end Pitts might somehow fall to them, but that was just wishful thinking. The Falcons could have opted to find Matt Ryan's eventual replacemet by going after QB Justin Fields, but instead they decided to maximize his final years by adding Pitts to an already electric pass-catching team of Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley.
Don't forget about: Jalen Mayfield, OL, Michigan
Atlanta took advantage of a rich OLine draft class by adding Mayfield in the third round. He's a tackler that might be better served to move inside, but either way the Falcons found themselves a young 20-year old stud run blocker who should be a nice fixture along their offensive line.
Because the Cowboys finished third place in their division, they'll face the third place finisher of the NFC West.
Arizona Cardinals
Most dangerous addition: Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue
That last thing Cardinals opponents want to see is for head coach Kill Kingsbury to have more tools at his disposal. It's bad enough watching DeAndre Hopkins go off for over 1,400 yards, but then adding a dangerous slot receiver as well? His speed and ability to separate is going to be a real problem as Arizona's offense gets even stronger.
Don't forget about: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
Selected 16th overall, he hardly qualifies as a player anyone will forget about, but the Tulsa linebacker has gotten pushed aside when it comes to what many people believe are the top defenders in the draft. Micah Parson is already the odds on favorite to win defensive rookie of the year, but don't be surprised if Collins stirs up some sand in the Arizona desert.
The Cowboys will also face the third place finisher of the NFC North.
Minnesota Vikings
Most dangerous addition: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
The Vikings did a fantastic job not only adding one of the stronger tackles in the draft, but they managed to pull it off by trading back from 14 to 23, making the Darrisaw pick exceptional value. He shows nice balance to help give Kirk Cousins added protection as well a great combination of footwork and power to help open up some space for Dalvin Cook. That's not ideal for the Cowboys considering how much they've struggled stopping Cook recently.
Don't forget about: Patrick Jones II, DE, Pittsburgh
The Vikings keep changing their minds about what they want to do along the edge as they traded for Yannick Ngakoue last year, only to turn around and trade him away a couple months later. The pick they received from the Ravens in exchange for Ngakoue was used to take Jones as Minnesota hopes his pass rushing skills complement Danielle Hunter on the other side.
This year's non-conference opponents will come from the AFC West.
Kansas City Chiefs
Most dangerous addition: Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri
After former Cowboys linebacker Damien Wilson signed with Jacksonville in free agency, the Chiefs re-loaded with the ultra tenacious Bolton. He possesses great instincts, fires himself at the ball carrier, and exhibits text book tackling skills. This is a nice add to Kansas City's defense as he'll join another former Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens to help strengthen the position group.
Don't forget about: Trey Smith, G, Tennessee
The Chiefs doubled-down along the interior offensive line with two nice additions. Second-round selection Creed Humphrey was a solid pick, but adding wild card pick Trey Smith in the sixth round could turn out to be a huge steal. He's a nasty player who offers some nice upside in the run game. For a team that had a glaring weakness on the offensive line, these adds could be the right type of medicine.
Las Vegas Raiders
Most dangerous addition: Trevon Moehrig, FS, TCU
One of the most frustrating moments in the draft for Cowboys fans might have been when the Raiders selected Moehrig right before the Cowboys second-round pick. Vegas took matters in their own hands to drive up ahead of Dallas to take him, and he should provide an immediate upgrade from recently released and former Cowboys safety Jeff Heath.
Don't forget about: Tyree Gillespie, SS, Missouri
It worked out so nice, they did it twice. The Raiders double-dipped at the safety position by again trading up to get their guy. This time, it was fourth-round selection Gillespie. He's not the ball hawk that Moehrig is, but his toughness as a tackler will help their run defense.
Los Angeles Chargers
Most dangerous addition: Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
Cowboys Nation is still divided about whether the team made the right move selecting linebacker Micah Parsons when Slater was available. The Cowboys choice had to have the Chargers war room celebrating as this marks the second year in a row where first round patience has paid off. Last year, they selected their new franchise quarterback in Justin Herbert, and now they have protected that investment by bringing in the super-quick Slater to keep him upright.
Don't forget about: Asante Samuel, Florida State
Samuel is far from a sleeper pick, but many teams passed up on him, including the Cowboys who selected their choice of corner (Kelvin Joseph) just a few picks earlier. At 5'10" 180 lbs, he doesn't posses the prototypical size of an NFL corner, but his suddenness and ability to attack the ball could make him an intriguing playmaker.
Denver Broncos
Most dangerous addition: Patrick Surtains, CB, Alabama
If you were a betting person, there's a reasonable chance you would have pushed your chips in the middle of the table on the idea that the Cowboys would have come away with Surtain in round one. The Broncos whammied that idea by selecting the Bama star corner one spot before the Cowboys pick. Surtain is a player who should hit the ground running, so prepare yourself for a potential battle with another former Bama star should he line up against Amari Cooper.
Don't forget about: Baron Browning, LB, Ohio State
Micah Parsons was a name that came up for the Broncos in many mock drafts, but they opted to get stronger at corner. That didn't stop them from finding a pretty talented linebacker in round three with OSU's Browning. He may not have quite the athleticism as Parson does, but he has a lot of similar traits and will be a nice addition to the Broncos defense.
And finally, that bonus 17th game will come against another AFC team, this year being the...
New England Patriots
Most dangerous addition: Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama
Cowboys fans may have been hoping Barmore made it to pick 44, but New England scooped him up six picks before Dallas was on the clock. The draft's top defensive tackle will now join the Patriots who might've found themselves a beast in the middle if he can overcome some of the maturity issues that caused him to slide this far in the draft.
Don't forget about: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
Jones was actually New England's first selection, but outside of some smoke and mirrors from the 49ers public relations department, there weren't too many draft pundits blowing his horn. And it's not even clear if he'll see the field this year, but when he eventually does, all eyes will be on him to see if he is the Patriots answer at the quarterback position.
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