Considering how little the Dallas Cowboys have done to upgrade their roster this offseason, some key players are going to need to step up significantly for the team to make a fourth consecutive playoff appearance.
This list could easily be 15 to 20 names, but to keep with similar pieces in previous offseasons, here are the 10 most important Cowboys for the 2024 season.
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10. Jalen Tolbert, WR
The last spot was unquestionably the toughest. This could have easily been Brandin Cooks or DeMarvion Overshown or Ezekiel Elliott or Brandon Aubrey. Tolbert made some strides last year but they need even more in year three. He’s the front-runner to be Dallas’ No. 3 wide receiver. Whoever fills the role, whether it’s Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin, Jalen Brooks or Ryan Flournoy, they need more production than they received from Michael Gallup in 2023.
9. Jake Ferguson, TE
He’s the clear No. 1 tight end on the roster. He has a chance to put up big numbers this season, and the Cowboys offense needs it. Another couple of tight ends will need to step up, but it remains to be seen if that will be Luke Schoonmaker, Peyton Hendershot, John Stephens Jr., Brevyn Spann-Ford or someone else. But none have the upside of Ferguson, who made his first Pro Bowl last season. Dak Prescott’s confidence in Ferguson has grown through their two years together. There’s no reason to think that won’t continue.
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8. DeMarcus Lawrence, DE
This one came down to Lawrence and Sam Williams. With Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler gone, Williams needs to step up. He’ll get plenty of opportunities as Dallas’ No. 3 edge rusher behind Micah Parsons and Lawrence. But Lawrence gets the nod here because he remains one of the better edge defenders in the league. As long as he and Parsons stay healthy, Dallas should continue creating enough havoc up front for Mike Zimmer’s defense to have some success.
7. Trevon Diggs, CB
He’s coming back from a season-ending knee injury. Will he immediately return to the player he was before? If not, Dallas could be in trouble on the back end. To be at their best, the Cowboys need Diggs and DaRon Bland playing at a high level. Of course, Dallas would love another 11-interception season from Diggs, like 2021. But as long as he’s consistently around the ball and causing opposing quarterbacks to think twice, that should be enough for Parsons and company to make plays near the line of scrimmage.
Trevon Diggs pic.twitter.com/a3r8lf3hhp
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) June 4, 2024
6. Mazi Smith, DT
The defensive tackle position is an area of concern. This group needs to be better than last year, and the depth chart looks weaker. Osa Odighizuwa should continue to be a good player. But who else can Dallas count on in the middle? The obvious answer to the issues would be a breakout season from Smith. The problem is he hasn’t shown any reason to think that type of year is coming. Arguably the best thing that could come out of Cowboys training camp and the preseason is Smith looking every bit like the player he was drafted in the first round to be. If not, who steps up at DT? The Cowboys could be forced to look outside of the roster, and any addition of note won’t be cheap.
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5. Eric Kendricks, LB
He’s this high on the list because of Zimmer taking over the defense. Kendricks will be working in a system that he’s familiar with from his time playing for Zimmer in Minnesota, almost like a coach on the field. When there is confusion, Kendricks should be a calming force, getting everyone where they need to be. Plus, they need him to be a tackling machine, helping to improve a run defense that has been an issue for multiple seasons.
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4. Tyler Guyton, LT
The left tackle position is usually the most valuable on the offensive line. He protects the quarterback’s blindside. Tyron Smith did the job in Dallas for over a decade. It is now Guyton’s turn, which won’t be easy for a rookie. Growing pains should be expected. But the Cowboys have had success finding excellent offensive linemen in the first round, so there’s reason for optimism. If Guyton struggles to a level where Dallas is playing musical chairs at left tackle, the offense will probably be in a really bad spot. If he plays well, the offense could be better than expected. And similar things could be said about the center position, where it will likely come down to either rookie Cooper Beebe or veteran Brock Hoffman. Prescott needs at least solid play from that position.
3. CeeDee Lamb, WR
He’s the team’s most dangerous offensive weapon. Without him, the offense could be one of the worst in the league. The attention he will command from opposing defenses will be critical. And when they’re sending multiple players to contain him, Lamb has to avoid getting frustrated. It’s been extremely impressive to see how his statistics have steadily increased each of his first four seasons in the NFL. If he can make another leap in year five, you’re talking about a season of potentially 2,000 yards and 15 touchdowns. That’s a lot to ask, but Lamb is capable.
| YEAR | G | TGT | REC | YDS | TD | YPC | YPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | 17 | 181 | 135 | 1,749 | 12 | 13.0 | 102.9 |
2022 | 17 | 156 | 107 | 1,359 | 9 | 12.7 | 79.9 |
2021 | 16 | 120 | 79 | 1,102 | 6 | 13.9 | 68.9 |
2020 | 16 | 111 | 74 | 935 | 5 | 12.6 | 58.4 |
2. Micah Parsons, LB/DE
The best defender on the team and one of the best in the entire league. He’s one of the biggest reasons the Cowboys have been able to have consistent 12-win seasons each of his three years in the NFL. There is one thing missing, though. The Cowboys need more from him late in the year and in the playoffs. If he can have the type of production when it matters most, that could be the reason Dallas finally makes a deep playoff run.
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1. Dak Prescott, QB
It’s an obvious choice to go with the franchise quarterback. It’s difficult to see the Cowboys having a good season without Prescott being at his best. His contract situation will be one of the biggest NFL stories all season if nothing gets finalized and he ends up playing out the final year of his contract. That could end up being a distraction. It could also end up being something that leads to Prescott having the best season of his nine-year career. Would Jerry Jones really allow a Cowboys franchise QB to walk in the prime of his career? Maybe. But it still seems more likely than not that both sides will figure something out between now and March.
(Top photos of Dak Prescott and Micah Parsons: Ryan Kang and Cooper Neill / Getty Images)
