Five Cowboys players who look poised for a breakout season

DALLAS — The Dallas Cowboys will likely be attempting to win the NFC East and return to the playoffs in consecutive years for the primary time because the 2006-2007 seasons. Having a few of their key gamers go away, together with large receiver Amari Cooper, defensive finish Randy Gregory and proper deal with La’el Collins, might make the duty harder.

To mitigate the losses, the Cowboys didn’t restock their expertise by free company, as a substitute selecting to make use of the draft, as has develop into customary for the crew within the present period. With out bringing in veteran NFL-level expertise to switch what they misplaced, the Cowboys are hoping to get enhancements from a few of the in-house candidates.

As well as, the gamers really feel assured that Dallas nonetheless has the expertise to compete, as quarterback and crew chief Dak Prescott has made it clear that he doesn’t consider the crew has taken a step again.

That’s good offseason speak, however who’re the Cowboys relying on to step up and shock throughout this upcoming season? Listed here are 5 names that might contribute greater than anticipated in Dallas:

The Cowboys chosen Gallimore within the third spherical of the 2020 draft and he appeared to be prepared to interrupt out in his sophomore season. Sadly, Gallimore suffered an elbow damage within the preseason that restricted him to simply 5 video games of 2021. 

The protection survived and pushed Gallimore’s popping out occasion to this season. Gallimore has the energy to push the pocket from the inside and is a stable run stopper within the center. After having simply half of a sack in his rookie season, Gallimore picked up 1.5 sacks in restricted video games in 2021, proving that he’s on the come as much as be Dallas’ reply at defensive deal with. 

The crew drafted the versatile Osa Odighizuwa and Quinton Bohanna final yr, and John Ridgeway in 2022 to assist on the place, however they didn’t retain Brent City after only one season with the Cowboys. It might be an indication that Gallimore is able to be the reply on the inside with Dallas anticipating an enormous season simply across the nook.

The Cowboys drafted Fehoko within the fifth spherical final season, however he didn’t catch a single cross throughout his rookie yr. Fehoko has the dimensions to make an impression at 6 toes, 3 inches and 220 kilos. The Stanford product is a participant that may be anticipated to win on soar balls which might make him a valued crimson zone goal, an space that the offense struggled with at instances final season.

There additionally appears to be some constructive buzz about Fehoko this offseason, who’s incomes his alternative. The second yr large receiver has been working with the first-team offense in OTAs and might be prepared for a bigger function.

Fehoko has additionally been coaching with Prescott with the hopes that they will develop a rhythm. There’s a void at receiver that the Cowboys might want to fill early within the season with beginning wideout Michael Gallup out and it’s a chance that Fehoko is aiming to grab. 

The Cowboys re-signed Hooker this offseason to a modest deal within the hopes that the previous first-rounder can choose up the place he left off from the 2021 season. It took a while, however the veteran security performed his greatest soccer on the finish of the yr and have become a starter for 3 video games.

Hooker’s modest stats of 44 tackles and one interception weren’t close to the crew lead for the Cowboys, but it surely was a step in the suitable path in his first season after torn ACL in 2020. Accidents and inconsistency has marred Hooker’s profession up to now however after discovering his sea legs with Dallas, he might be unlocking his potential.

Micah Parsons was a standout as a rookie, however Cox was additionally on his method to incomes a beginning function earlier than a torn ACL value him the second half of his rookie yr. After becoming a member of the Cowboys as a fourth-round choose, Cox labored his approach into the linebacker rotation earlier than the damage. Assuming that he’s able to go, he’s anticipated to be a starter heading into his second season in Dallas.

Cox was a standout in protection throughout his school profession and people abilities seemed like they translated to the NFL, and his pace was evident on the sphere as a rookie. If Cox can choose up the place he left off earlier than his damage, the Cowboys are in a greater place at linebacker than most observers consider.

The Cowboys weren’t capable of convey again Gregory, however they did preserve Armstrong, who’s an ascending participant. Armstrong had his greatest season in 2021, choosing up 5 sacks, which was double his profession whole, in simply 13 video games. He’ll be simply 25-years previous heading into his fifth yr, so one of the best might but to return with Armstrong. 

If Armstrong can proceed to enhance, the Cowboys ought to have an excellent cross rusher for a modest value. There may be work to do in different points of his recreation, however Armstrong is a stable piece as a rotational cross rusher. 

Armstrong is a reputation to recollect because the Cowboys put together for the upcoming season and don’t be stunned if he makes a bigger impression than anticipated.

Which Cowboys participant do you assume is subsequent up for a breakthrough marketing campaign? Share your ideas with Ben on Twitter @BenGrimaldi.