In exploiting deep middle, Cowboys’ passing attack has room to grow

Dak Prescott and the Cowboys thrive on deep passes down the sideline but they’re leaving yards on the table deep down the middle. | From @ReidDHanson

In the months between the draft and training camp, the news cycle inevitably slows in the NFL. Minicamps and OTAs offer a few headlines, as does the schedule release, but generally speaking these early summer months are the slowest part of the entire year.

Behind closed doors it’s a different story. Teams like the Cowboys are strategizing. They are installing their offenses and defenses and they are planning the next stages of their player development. They are reviewing the strengths and weakness of the league and building a blueprint to take advantage of it.

Every year things change in the NFL. Often cyclical, schemes and formations rotate and evolve. The cause and effect nature of the game means a change on offense often leads to a corresponding change on defense. Getting ahead of the curve and being prepared to adapt to unforeseen events is important for the Cowboys this time of year.

As NFL defenses incorporate more split safety looks that are designed to limit big plays, offenses are adapting to run a more efficient short game. As box counts decline, running plays increase. More shell coverage brings more short passes. And split safeties mean more opportunities in the middle.

The middle of the field has long been the most profitable area to attack through the air. The single high safety era couldn’t stop it and the growing 2-high safety looks of today practically beg to be exploited by it.

As NFL offenses adapt to those “bend but don’t break” defensive strategies, they’ve understandably placed a higher value on inside pass-catchers like slot receivers and dynamic downfield tight ends (see also the 2023 NFL draft).

Tej Seth at Sumer Sports dove into the trend over the winter. In his article he explains “why the middle of the field is the most effective throw in football despite the best quarterbacks succeeding elsewhere.”

It’s a study that applies perfectly to Dak Prescott and the Cowboys and could be especially applicable for the 2023 season.