Dallas, TX
#69 Alex Taylor is the subject of Cowboys countdown to kickoff
We’re continuing our countdown to the opening game of the Dallas Cowboys 2023 regular season. Each day we’ll present a new player whose jersey number represents the countdown to opening day. Today is number 69.
OT Alex Taylor
Born: 29th April 1997(26) – Moncks Corner, South Carolina
College: South Carolina State Bulldogs
Draft: 2020, UDFA, Cleveland Browns
College:
Alex Taylor started his college career at Appalachian State where he redshirted the first year. He then opted to transfer out and play basketball at South Carolina State. He then spent two years for the Bulldogs as a backup on the basketball team and decided to return to football. His first year playing for South Carolina State he managed to win the starting left tackle position late in the season. He allowed no sacks or pressures on 68 pass blocks and only one penalty. The next year he played a full season at right tackle and on 348 pass plays he allowed two sacks and nine pressures. He was named first-team All-Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference.
Cowboys Outlook:
Taylor went undrafted in 2020 and got signed by Cleveland. He was waived on injured reserve by the Browns and placed on their practice squad, but by the end of the year was released. He spent time on the Chicago Bears practice squad as well, then in November last year when the Cowboys offensive line needed to bolster its depth after a series of injuries, he was signed to Dallas. He signed a futures contract with Dallas after the season ended and now he looks to try and beat out some decent competition ahead of him for a practice squad position. What he does possess to compete for a role in Dallas is superb length and high levels of athleticism. He uses his hands efficiently and his footwork is textbook and quick helping him redirect pass rushers well. His problem has always been his commitment to the game and how much he feels dedicated to perfecting his craft. Even when he’s played his motor has been hot and cold on the field.
The Big Question:
Does Alex Taylor earn himself a practice squad spot this year for Dallas? Comment with your answer below.
CeeDee Lamb signed a massive extension with the Dallas Cowboys ahead of the 2024 season and then put together another impressive campaign.
The fifth-year pro recorded more than 1,100 yards for the fourth season in a row while hauling in more than 100 receptions for the third. He did so despite dealing with a brutal shoulder injury throughout the year. No one else was there to consistently draw the defense’s attention away from him either.
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That’s not going to be the case in 2025, thanks to the addition of George Pickens. Added in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pickens is being called the best No. 2 wide receiver Lamb has worked with. Lamb, however, doesn’t agree.
Lamb and Pickens were together at Kyler Murray’s celebrity charity softball game and said there’s no WR1 and WR2 combo with them. They also said it’s not 1A and 1B, but rather, they give Dallas two No. 1 wide receivers.
That might be a nightmare for opposing teams, but Micah Parsons just finds the humor in it. The Dallas pass rusher shared a video of the two receivers, saying Lamb “done found a new best friend.”
Dallas is coming off a frustrating 7-10 campaign. While injuries played a huge part in that, they still struggled on offense when they were fully healthy due to a lack of weapons outside of Lamb.
Pickens, as well as rookie running back Jaydon Blue, hope to change that as the Cowboys look to get back on track.
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Injuries were a problem for the Dallas Cowboys throughout the 2024 season. Star players such as Dak Prescott, Zack Martin, Trevon Diggs, and DeMarcus Lawrence saw their seasons end prematurely as they were sent to the IR.
In addition to established stars, the Cowboys saw lost Sam Williams who was on the verge of a breakout campaign.
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Williams was set for an increased role following the departure of Dante Fowler Jr. and Dorance Armstrong. During his first two seasons in the NFL, Williams had 48 tackles and 8.5 sacks, leading to excitement over his prospects.
Unfortunately, Williams suffered a torn ACL during training camp and missed the entire year. Executive vice president Stephen Jones recently expressed his excitement over Williams’ return to health, but the depth around him suddenly looks much different.
Not only did Fowler return, but the Cowboys signed Payton Turner and selected Donovan Ezeiruaku in the 2025 NFL draft. Throw in the presence of Micah Parsons and Marshawn Kneeland and Mike Clay believes Williams will hardly see the field.
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In his 2025 projection, the ESPN insider has Williams taking just 54 snaps with four tackles.
Williams entered the league as an athletic phenomenon. He stands 6-foot-4 and 261 pounds and ran a 4.46 in the 40-yard dash. That speed led to him playing gunner on special teams, something unheard of from defensive ends.
Even with that talent, Clay doesn’t believe Williams will contribute in 2025, which will cost him a lot of money as he enters free agency in 2026.
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El Capitan is heading south. Despite the advantage in the series entering Saturday’s game, FC Dallas lost the Texas Derby in 2025 thanks to a 2-0 loss against the Houston Dynamo.
The win was Houston’s first at Toyota Stadium since the 2011 season.
The first half lacked excitement until the 38th minute when Anderson Julio tried to score a goal from midfield. His lofted attempt forced Jonathan Bond to push the ball over the crossbar.
The Dynamo found the game’s first breakthrough in the 64th minute on a shot from distance from Jack McGlynn. The former Philadelphia Homegrown received the ball about 25 yards out from goal from Griffin Dorsey, took one touch before firing a rocket of a shot past Michael Collodi.
Houston doubled its lead in the 80th minute as Dorsey added a goal to his tally for the night. The Dynamo played a quick counter up the right side of the field where Dorsey and Toyosi Olusanya played a give and go near the top of the penalty area before Dorsey got the ball and shot it into the back of the net.
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Instant Reaction: We’re immune to winning at home, aren’t we? I’ll have a lot more to say about this on Monday. Right now, I’m just…tired.
About the Subs: Eric Quill went to his bench at halftime to bring off Petar Musa for Logan Farrington. Musa was only expected to play around 45 minutes in this one. With 20 minutes to go in the match, Quill made a double sub with Paxton Pomykal and Lalas Abubakar coming on for Kaick and Nolan Norris. The final subs came shortly after the second Houston goal with Bernard Kamungo and Tsiki Ntsabeleng came on for Ramiro and Shaq Moore.
Man of the Match: Skip.
Where does this fit into the season: The loss not only sees El Capitan head to Houston for this year, but it also sees the Dynamo pass FC Dallas in the standings at 16 points. Dallas does have a game-in-hand at this point.
What’s next for FC Dallas: Following a two-game home stand, FC Dallas will begin a two-week stretch that sees them play on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Up first will be a US Open Cup match against the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday night in New Jersey.
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