Which new Cowboys players are you the most excited to see?
The Dallas Cowboys have been very active this offseason, adding more players than they have done in seasons past. While the free agent purchases have been their typical quiet signings, they’ve made some bigger splashes by making trades. Add that to a new crop of draft picks, and the team has some new toys to be excited about.
But what should we expect from these new guys? Who will shine, and who will disappoint? Today, we’ll rank the top 10 new guys and project how we think they’ll perform. But before we get to that, let’s talk about the misses.
Kaiir Elam
It would be so nice if this former first-round corner turned a corner and started playing at a higher level. The timing couldn’t be better as the team needs corner help, especially early in the season. While it would be nice, it would also be unlikely. There’s a reason the Buffalo Bills traded him away for a ham sandwich, and there’s a good chance we find out what those reasons were.
Miles Sanders
Another player we’re pulling for is the former 1,200-yard rusher Sanders, who was great three years ago. Sadly, he hasn’t been recognizable, averaging just 3.5 yards per carry during his time in Carolina. Maybe he gets his mojo back, but at a cost of just $1.3 million, don’t expect much from this free-agent running back.
And here are a couple of players who might be higher on the list, but it would take an injury to a key starter, and we’re definitely not rooting for that.
Robert Jones
One of the underrated free agent moves, the Cowboys added a good depth piece in Jones, who has made 30 starts over his four years in the league. If his number is called, we should feel good about what he can contribute, but we won’t feel good about it, meaning one of their Tylers is out.
Joe Milton Jr.
We would love to see Milton Jr. play well, but only if it’s garbage time in a Cowboys blowout. Any other instance means Dak Prescott is hurt, so let’s not even think about it.
With that out of the way, let’s get to the top 10 new guys.
10. Solomon Thomas
This former third-overall pick hasn’t lived up to his draft price, but he’s been a solid fixture along the defensive line for the 49ers, Raiders, and most recently, the Jets. The Cowboys should move him around, bouncing both inside and outside as a tweener DT/DE. He’s only missed one game over the last four seasons and consistently tackles ball-carriers behind the line of scrimmage. Expect a solid contribution from this savvy veteran.
Prediction: Three sacks, five TFLs, and two forced fumbles
9. Shavon Revel Jr.
It’s unclear when the rookie corner will be released into the wild as he continues to recover from a knee injury suffered last year. The Cowboys will ease him into action (he is on the NFI list) and provide something similar to Trevon Diggs’ first year in the league. He’ll miss some time, but will start to turn heads the more comfortable he gets.
Prediction: 10 games, stars nine of them, 14 PBUs, and two interceptions
8. Jaydon Blue
As a change of pace/third-down running back, the rookie Blue won’t see the field nearly as much as fans desire. He’ll have some big-run scampers that will be a sight for sore eyes for the Cowboys’ rushing attack. Look for a year similar to Tony Pollard’s rookie season when he also didn’t touch the ball as much as we’d like. Underused, but very efficient.
Prediction: 95 carries, 494 yards (5.2 ypc), 230 yards receiving, three total touchdowns
7. Donovan Ezeiruaku
There’s a lot to like about the Cowboys’ new edge rusher, and it wouldn’t be surprising if, years down the road, he outplays everyone on this list. But for now, he is what he is, and that’s a rookie defensive end buried behind other strong players. With growing pains and somewhat limited playing time, expect Ezeiruaku to have a productive, yet modest, rookie season.
Prediction: Four sacks, one forced fumble, most of his splash plays come late in the year
6. Jack Sanborn
A career backup, the former Bears’ linebacker has shown he can fill in as a starter if needed. It’s unclear what his role in Dallas will be exactly, but look for him to see plenty of action and be a solid contributor, especially on special teams. He has some upside breakout potential if he’s thrown into a larger role, but a more reasonable outcome is just more of the same from Sanborn.
Prediction: 17 games, 65 tackles, special teams fumble recovery
5. Javonte Williams
As the team’s new starting running back, Williams will have every chance to shine. The hope of an upgraded running scheme and another year removed from his knee injury could open the door for a big season for this former 35th overall pick. He might not get the volume Rico Dowdle did last year, so he might fall short of the 1,000-yard mark, but the committee of runners around him should help keep him fresh and effective.
Prediction: 180 carries, 810 yards (4.5 ypc), 270 receiving yards, seven total touchdowns
4. Kenneth Murray Jr.
While technically acquired via trade, the true cost of Murray is not just the sixth-rounder the Cowboys gave up, but the $7.4 million he’ll cost them this season. A former first-round pick in 2020, Murray has averaged over 100 tackles over the past two years. You can also set your watch to him missing a couple of games, getting three sacks, and coming away with a pick, so we’ll just play the odds and expect something similar this season.
Prediction: 15 games, 102 tackles, three sacks, and one interception
3. Tyler Booker
When Booker’s name was called on draft day, it caught everyone by surprise. The Cowboys have an excellent track record drafting first-round offensive linemen, and Booker comes into the league as the most powerful rookie guard. He will immediately step in at left guard, taking over from future Hall of Famer Zack Martin. He is a rookie, so this can go a number of ways, but don’t be surprised if TV broadcasters are showing replays and talking about how he’s going to be a star in this league for years to come.
Prediction: 17 games, hyped as the rising star, flirt with Pro Bowl season
2. Dante Fowler
Fowler never saw over 30% of the snaps in the two years of his first stint with the Cowboys, but that will change this season. While he may not exceed 50% like he did in Washington, he’ll get plenty of opportunities to pin his ears back opposite Micah Parsons. He’s been a model of durability, never missing a game over his last three years. Expect a good dose of havoc-wreaking for this veteran pass rusher.
Prediction: 17 games, eight sacks, and two forced fumbles
1. George Pickens
Big expectations come with a former 1,100-yard receiver whose trade cost is a third-round pick. He should have no problem fitting in with the Cowboys’ offense and will have his moments wowing the crowd with some circus catches. While he’ll always be a big-play threat when he’s on the field, a hiccup or two might cause him to miss a few games. Inheriting the WR2 role, his numbers should be a welcome sight for fans.
Prediction: 62 catches, 978 yards, five touchdowns