A second-half surge allowed the Dallas Cowboys to overtake the Philadelphia Eagles and steal the NFC East crown in 2023. They were eliminated in the playoffs after just one game, dampening the joy of the division title, and now they head into 2024 with more questions than answers.
Most of the attention is on Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb – and for good reason. They are both entering the final year of their respective contracts, and Lamb is currently holding out.
Dallas knows both will do their part, assuming they don’t push Lamb out the door, but the team’s success – or failure – in 2024 will depend on the supporting cast.
Here we identify seven players who can decide the success or failure of the season.
Dan Quinn moved Markquese Bell to linebacker out of necessity last season. The loss of DeMarvion Overshown left them thin, and it only got worse when Leighton Vander Esch went down with a neck injury.
Bell responded well with 94 tackles but could not do enough against the run battle as the Cowboys lost to the Green Bay Packers in the postseason.
Fortunately, Bell returns to the safety position under Mike Zimmer, and that’s a win for him and the Cowboys. Bell has proven he’s capable in coverage and has no problem playing physical. With Jayron Kearse gone, they need someone to fill that box safety role. Donovon Wilson contributes, but the defense was top-notch with Wilson, Kearse, and Malik Hooker all playing well together.
If Bell can step into that role and perform at the same level as he did in 2023, the defense could be just as impressive again.
Michael Gallup was released in the offseason and signed with the Las Vegas Raiders. His final outing was impressive, as he managed 103 yards on six catches in their only playoff game, but it was the right decision to move on. Dak Prescott forced the ball on him too often, and if Gallup hadn’t made the kind of spectacular catches he did earlier in his career, it would have led to far too many stalled drives.
The problem is that there isn’t much proven depth behind CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks. The best option for the WR3 role is Jalen Tolbert, who has only 24 receptions in two years. He played well during offseason workouts, but he’ll need to carry that over into the regular season.
Tolbert will face competition from Jalen Brooks and rookie Ryan Flournoy, but he was selected in the third round for a reason. The talent is there; now it’s time to capitalize on it.
Jourdan Lewis, arguably the most underrated player on the roster, overcame a bad foot injury in 2022 and played at a high level in 2023. There were calls to trade him in the offseason, but when Trevon Diggs tore his ACL in Week 3, management’s decision to hold on to him proved to be the right one.
Lewis wasn’t great from the start, but once he was fully healthy, he was able to make some key plays. As a slot cornerback, he was instrumental in the win over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 13 and had six tackles, an interception and two pass defenses in their one-point win over the Detroit Lions in Week 17.
Lewis is entering his eighth season in the NFL, signed a team-friendly one-year deal and is expected to be the third cornerback again. If he can keep playing like he has recently, Mike Zimmer’s defense will be in top shape.
It’s not often that a right tackle is considered a “role player,” but Terence Steele falls into that category. Undrafted out of Texas Tech in 2020, Steele developed into a standout starter, leading to the release of La’el Collins.
Despite recovering from a torn cruciate ligament, he signed a generous contract extension before the 2023 season.
Steele struggled in the first year of his $86.8 million contract. PFF gave him 54 pressure situations, 12 quarterback hits and eight sacks.
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Hopefully Steele feels more comfortable now with a full year under his belt following ACL surgery. He doesn’t necessarily need to play at an All-Pro level, but if he looks like a turnstile again in 2024, it’s going to be a rough season for Dak Prescott.
KaVontae Turpin was used sparingly on offense, but delivered whenever he was needed. He caught 11 passes for 110 yards with one touchdown and added 127 yards on 12 carries with three more runs across the goal line. His 10.3 yards per contact average and four total touchdowns were helpful, and the Cowboys can use more explosiveness from him on offense in 2024.
Turpin’s real impact is felt in the return game. A Pro Bowler in 2022, he had 303 yards on punt returns and 508 on kick returns. Those numbers dropped dramatically in 2023 to 79 yards on punts and 292 on kickoffs (though his average on kick returns rose from 24.2 to 29.2).
Looking ahead to 2024, his role as a returner will be more important than ever. With the NFL implementing new rules for the return game, Turpin’s speed and ability to break through gaps quickly could help them win the battle for field position. Given the questions they have at wide receiver and running back, that could make a big difference.
Cooper Beebe, another projected starter on the offensive line, is transitioning from guard at Kansas State to center in the NFL. By all accounts, he is doing an excellent job learning the position and has already made adjustments to the line.
Tyler Biadasz has been an underrated player during his tenure and leaves big shoes for Beebe to fill. If he can play anywhere near Biadasz’s level, it will do wonders for Dak Prescott. Otherwise, the offense will have a hard time sustaining offense.
There was a time when Ezekiel Elliott was the focal point of the Dallas offense, but that’s no longer the case. The fourth pick in the 2016 NFL Draft isn’t the player he once was, but the Cowboys will rely on him heavily in 2024.
Elliott finished with 955 yards from the line of sight and five touchdowns with the New England Patriots last year before returning to Dallas. It’s unlikely he’ll get 255 touches like he did with the Patriots, but he’ll be used in key situations – like near the goal line and on third-and-short.
Dallas doesn’t need him to put up big numbers, but he does need to come through in short-yardage situations. He did that in 2022, scoring 12 touchdowns on the ground and converting 52 first downs. If he can be successful in that area again, the offense could thrive.
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