Surprising defender's performance leads Dallas Cowboys rising stocks
The Dallas Cowboys (11-4) gave their fans an early Christmas present with a victory at home against the rival Philadelphia Eagles. Despite for being down for much of the game, allowing QB2 Gardner Minshew to carve the defense for 355 yards, the defense created four crucial turnovers. Following an early pick-six, QB Dak Prescott was […]
The Dallas Cowboys (11-4) gave their fans an early Christmas present with a victory at home against the rival Philadelphia Eagles.
Despite for being down for much of the game, allowing QB2 Gardner Minshew to carve the defense for 355 yards, the defense created four crucial turnovers. Following an early pick-six, QB Dak Prescott was perfect, leading the Cowboys to 40 points against (what was) the number one defense in the NFL.
All leading to a win in the (likely) home finale of 2022. With many of the issues focusing on the defesnse.
However, there are a few notable exceptions. Players who played above expectation and continue to excel, or players who continue to disappoint or whose future’s are in flux.
As always, high-profile players who’ll factor in weekly such as Dak Prescott, Micah Parsons or Zack Martin are exempt from this list as they play at elite levels frequently. Or at least, are expected to.
This also includes the likes of safeties Jayron Kearse and Donovan Wilson, as well as TE Dalton Schultz and RBs Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard.
Stock Up
- CB Nahshon Wright – Wright on time. A week following a poor performance from the secondary, the Cowboys were in desperate need of a corner across from Trevon Diggs. Wright got the majority of snaps with Diggs and DaRon Bland and played well. Eight tackles, one for loss, two bass breakups. He did allow five catches for 57 yards but made plays when they needed to. Giving a breath of fresh air to a struggling secondary of late.
- CB DaRon Bland – Bland has four interceptions in the last four games. Continuing to play as one of the best rookie corners in the league. Bland also displays his versatility as a slot and outside corner, splitting time between the two. Cementing himself as the Dallas Cowboys CB2. Getting his hands on a pair of balls, leading to the win.
- DL Chauncey Golston – Golston only played nine snaps but needed to play predominantly on running downs. Setting the edges to allow for the play to subside. With Sam Williams out for the game, and the recent struggles from Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler, have opened the door for Golston to obtain these opportunities to remind just where his value is.
- WR Michael Gallup – All week Cowboys players and coaches preached there needs to be opportunities for Gallup. Opportunities is what he got. Following a 0-sum performance against Jacksonville, he was targeted seven times with four catches for 36 yards and a touchdown. It would have been two touchdowns were it not for the sun.
- WR T.Y. Hilton – Despite only playing 12 snaps in his Dallas Cowboys debut, he made two, key impact plays. 1) Drawing an illegal contact penalty on 4th and 8 to continue a drive that would culminate in a CeeDee Lamb touchdown, giving them their first lead of the game. 2) THE play of the game. His lone reception. A 52-yard bomb on 3rd and 30 which changed the trajectory of the game.
- C Tyler Biadasz – Not only did Biadasz steal away what was initially thought to be a game-changing fumble, his recovery lead to the now famous 3rd and 30, 52-yard bomb to Hilton. Which ultimately changed the game. Biadasz continues to get better, being a powerful run blocker and being able to read linebacker adjustments to set up pass protection.
- KR/PR KaVontae Turpin – Despite having a 50+ yard return whipped out by a penalty, Turpin still finished the game with 31 yards on it on the same week he celebrated making the Pro Bowl (Games) in his first season in the NFL.
- DB Mackensie Alexander – Alexander was only targeted once all game for 12 yards. More importantly is the effect Alexander has on the depth of the secondary. With Anthony Brown and Jourdan Lewis out for the year, Alexander gives them a versatile veteran presence. Not relying on Nahshon Wright to play 100% of the snaps yet or put Bland out of position too long.
- OT Tyler Smith – Head coach Mike McCarthy spoke earlier this week on how this was Tyler Smith's best game. It was. Despite giving up a sack from Josh Sweat, Smith displayed maybe his best combination of power in the run and stability in pass protection against a higher quality opponent than at any point this season.
Stock Down
- WR James Washington – The addition of T.Y. Hilton was one thing. Inactivating him a game after his return from injury is another. It now appears that Washington, at best, is WR5. And with the use of Turpin on offense, as well as Pollard as a slot weapon, that's lowering him further down the list.
- CB Kelvin Joseph – 0. That's how many defensive snaps Joseph took on Saturday. Wright, Mackensie and Bland made up the CB2/3 across from Diggs for the game and collectively did better than what Jospeh allowed the week before. With the regular season coming to a close, it's unclear when we'll see him on defense again.
- Edge Dorance Armstrong – Armstrong may be second on the team in sacks but hasn't even had a pressure since week 14. With his liability in the run giving more snaps to both Sam Williams and Chauncey Golston, his usage on the defense is in question.
- Edge Dante Fowler – See above. Replace week 14 with week 11.
Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
