Dallas Cowboys: Stock Up, Stock Down Following Week Four Win
Dallas Cowboys (3-1) quarterback Cooper Rush is now 4-0 as a starter after the team's third straight win. This time over the arch-rival Washington Commanders, sporting their all-black alternate uniforms. The defense was relentless as usual and the offense is showing signs of progression, especially from the offensive line and wide receivers. The return of […]
Dallas Cowboys (3-1) quarterback Cooper Rush is now 4-0 as a starter after the team's third straight win. This time over the arch-rival Washington Commanders, sporting their all-black alternate uniforms.
The defense was relentless as usual and the offense is showing signs of progression, especially from the offensive line and wide receivers. The return of Michael Gallup and increased role of Jason Peters is paying dividends.
From the start, it was a game was under control on all three phases of the game by Dallas. So much so that the 2022 season has gone from "lost cause" to a potential contender season.
We're still only a quarter of the way through the season but the excitement is real, and so is the resiliency of this team. There were a few players who played below expectations, but the Cowboys were largely dominant.
As always, elite players like Micah Parsons, Trevon Diggs and Zack Martin are exempt from this list as they play at elite levels weekly. We also won't include players like Donovan Wilson or DeMarcus Lawrence. Players who aren't elite but play at high level's weekly.
Stock Up
- DB DaRon Bland – Starting as a rookie is tough enough. Finding out your the starter right before kickoff is another thing entirely. Jourdan Lewis injured his hamstring in pre-game warmups, giving way for the sixth-round pick. Bland started at nickel, playing 59 snaps in the game, including what would be the game-winning interception.
- DL Neville Gallimore – It seems like every game, more and more defensive linemen get in on the action. This time it was Gallimore, who registered the game's first sack as well as continuously getting pressure in the run game, even bringing down the ball carrier behind the line of scrimmage.
- WR CeeDee Lamb – If Lamb continues to perform like this, he'll be listed weekly with Martin, Parsons and Diggs as elite players who don't need to be mentioned. Following up a great second half performance versus NY, he plays his most complete game of the season: six catches on eight targets for 97 yards and a touchdown.
- DB Israel Mukuamu – In the absence of Jayron Kearse, Donovan Wilson has been the Dallas Cowboys saving grace at safety. Now Mukuamu is getting his share of the reps with his best game of the season with six tackles and even nearly registering a sack, rushing off the edges.
- DL Dante Fowler – Fowler is really showing his versatility. Playing not only as an edge defender but as an interior defender too. Consistently putting pressure on the QB, registering a sack.
- WR Michael Gallup – Reinforcements are here. The Dallas Cowboys WR2 finally got back on the field for the first time since last December. Playing 39 snaps, as opposed to the reported 20-25 snaps he would play in his return. He only caught two passes on three targets, but it was his touchdown and the surrounding energy of it that's still felt around Cowboys Nation.
Stock Down
- LB Anthony Barr – Overall, Barr had a good game, even applying pressure on Wentz in pursuit. However, he and fellow LB Leighton Vander Esch were liabilities in run defense, often getting gashed and looking slow going sideline to sideline.
- LB Leighton Vander Esch – See above. While he didn't apply the same pressure Barr did, he did finish with the second-most tackles on defense. Him and Barr on the field together can yield positive rewards, allowing Parsons to blitz, but can also leave the defense exposed.
- WR Jalen Tolbert – Tolbert was finally active last week, but that only yielded one catch. Now with the return of Gallup, Tolbert is back to the Cowboys inactive's. Even with Dennis Houston relegated to the practice squad, Tolbert has been unable to see playing time.
- CB Anthony Brown – Despite his 72.1 PFF grade, Brown was consistently picked on by Wentz and the Commanders offense. Giving up the lone touchdown to rookie Jahan Dotson, as well as more catches than either Diggs or Bland.
- KR/PR KaVontae Turpin – Turpin came into the game leading the league in punt return average. Not only did his lone return result in a -3 yards returned, he nearly cost the Dallas Cowboys a turnover in the redzone. Having allowed the ball to get past him and it nearly bouncing back at him with his back turned.
Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
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