Rookies Ezekiel Elliott (RB – fourth overall pick), Jaylon Smith (LB – 34th overall pick), and Dak Prescott (QB – 135th overall pick) would like the world to know exactly where the Cowboys will end up this season.

After three consecutive 8-8 seasons, the process Cowboys coach Jason Garrett preaches vehemently about struck oil in 2014: securing a 12-4 record and a playoff run derailed by controversy.

The 2015 season would not be so kind, however, delivering haymakers to the franchise and delivering up an inverse 4-12. Several surgeries to key players and an exciting NFL draft later, they look to bounce back in a huge way; finishing what the 2014 team was on the cusp of.

As it stands, Elliott is officially the starting RB due to the injury to Darren McFadden (elbow), and Smith is waiting to take the next step in his rehab process (knee). Prescott has been quickly adapting to the pro-style, drop back offense and is working to supplant Kellen Moore as QB2 on the depth chart.

While Prescott may not have immediate impact towards this bold prediction, Elliott certainly will, and Smith could return for a potential playoff run to help the cause. One thing the rookies must learn, though, is there’s a big difference from a June prediction and a February deliverance.