The Dallas Cowboys' run game last season left a lot to be desired, with Ezekiel Elliott and then Rico Dowdle trying their hands to make something of it.
Dallas would finish the year averaging just 100.3 yards per game, ranking 27th in the league. Something had to change, and it did.
Rico and Zeke were out, and Miles Sanders, Javonte Williams, and draftee Jaydon Blue are in. Plus, right guard Tyler Booker was drafted in the first round to replace Zack Martin.
But wait, there's more.
Offensive coordinator Klayton Adams and offensive line coach Conor Riley both have skins on the wall developing a good run game in the NFL and college.
So bring all of that together, and it is no wonder why hopes are high for what the run game could be under Brian Schottenheimer.
And for left guard Tyler Smith, he's shooting for the stars in 2025.
"I want to be the best in the league, I don't know how else to put that," Smith said. "I don't come in here to be 31st or number two, I want to be the best in the league. So ultimately, we're going to put our best foot forward, we're going to work at it every day, and we're going to get to where we need to be."
Tyler Smith
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
That is quite the lofty goal, and while some might scoff at that, you need to have something to chase, and if that is how the Cowboys will measure themselves, then why not?
Sanders has shown flashes at OTAs and minicamp, while Williams, Deuce, and Blue are all expected to get their turn in Oxnard.
The offensive line cohesion is key here, and Smith stated as OTAs began that he knows the buck starts and stops with his unit if the offense is to be successful in 2025.
And if the offensive line plays to its potential, while being No. 1 might be a bridge too far, but if the run game can become one of the better units in football, this Dallas offense will be in a good spot to do some damage.