Rookie Studs Lead Group of Dallas Cowboys Whose Stock is Rising

The Dallas Cowboys (9-3) kept their game close against the Indianapolis Colts (4-8-1) until the fourth quarter. In which Dallas scored 33 points in the final 15 minutes. Objectively, it was a great night for players like rookie CB DaRon Bland, WR CeeDee Lamb and DB Malik Hooker. The latter of whom played his first […]

Shane Carter
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Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys (9-3) kept their game close against the Indianapolis Colts (4-8-1) until the fourth quarter. In which Dallas scored 33 points in the final 15 minutes.

Objectively, it was a great night for players like rookie CB DaRon Bland, WR CeeDee Lamb and DB Malik Hooker. The latter of whom played his first game against hie former team. All playing arguably their best games of the season thus far.

However, we can't look past the few players who either didn't perform up to expectation or weren't involved enough in a big-time win. The run defense allowed over 100 yards on the ground but kept star RB Johnathan Taylor at just 82 for the game.

What may or may not surprise you is the number of rookies whose stock's continue to soar following this win. And will likely lead to increased roles as the season goes along.

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 includes the likes of WR CeeDee Lamb, RB Tony Pollard or edge rushers DeMarcus Lawrence and Dorance Armstrong.

Stock Up

  • DB Malik Hooker – Going up against his former team, perhaps no other Dallas Cowboys player wanted this win more than Hooker. A pass breakup, an interception, a fumble recovery for a touchdown and only 10 yards allowed in coverage. Clear to see who won that breakup.
  • WR Michael Gallup – Four catches for just 23 yards and two touchdowns. Gallup showed a lot more separation and physicality. Piggybacking off his Thanksgiving performance. These last two weeks, the Dallas Cowboys are starting to see who Gallup really is.
  • The Running Backs – Normally I wouldn't include Ezekeil Elliott or Tony Pollard on this list, but their combination was unstoppable. If you include rookie Malik Davis, the Cowboys running backs rushed for 197 yards (6.16 yards per carry) and four touchdowns combined!
  • Edge Sam Williams – Williams had a fumble recovery and a tackle for loss in the game. But his real mark was in the running game. Playing the edges better than any other defensive end against the ground game for the game.
  • LB Damone Clark – Clark had his second straight game with a forced fumble, being relegated back to a rotational role with the return of Anthony Barr. However, just like Williams, his emergence as the team's best run defending LB aside from Parsons is making him one of the Cowboys most reliable defenders.
  • LB Anthony Barr – Barr played his first game in four contests. Only playing 24 snaps, Barr reminded everyone of his reason for being there in the first place, as a pass rusher. With a pressure and a sack in each of his blitzes. Despite not being as reliable a run stopper as Clark, Barr's ability to rush the QB should continue to be used.
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  • NT Johnathan Hankins – Perhaps the best performance on the entire defensive line. Hankins clogged the a-gap all game long, finishing with five tackles, one for loss, and often keeping Johnathan Taylor and the entire running game stop at the line of scrimmage. Easily his best game in Dallas so far.
  • DT Osa Odighizuwa – Speaking of defensive tackles, Odighizuwa continues to play as the Cowboys best pass rushing interior tackle. Two pressures, a sack and a forced fumble are great numbers considering the Colts plan was to avoid the passing game. That's making the most of his opportunities.
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  • The Offensive Line – It was hard to pinpoint just one offensive lineman in this game since the whole unit controlled the game. Not only did they lead the way for the Cowboys to rush for 220 yards, but QB Dak Prescott was only pressured five times and sacked once on 31 dropbacks.

Stock Down

  • CB Kelvin Joseph – Taking over for the injured Anthony Brown, Joseph is now CB2. Joseph is going to see an increase in snaps counts and will hopefully progress out of necessity but being targeted five times on 29 snaps, allowing three catches (60%) for 32 yards and a touchdown isn't helpful. Granted he did have an impressive pass breakup. The only reason it didn't get worse was due to the dominant fourth quarter in which the Colts offense either turned it over or the Dallas Cowboys offense sustained drives down the field for scores. He will need time.
  • LB Leighton Vander Esch – Possibly his worst game since week three vs the New York Giants. Like Barr, LVE is struggling to track down running backs on the edges, where Clark is succeeding. However, he doesn't have the pass rush ability to save him from this game. Allowing 32 yards in coverage (second most all season) with only one tackle and no pressures on four blitz attempts.
  • DT Carlos Watkins – On 22 snaps, Watkins registered two tackles, but was one of two players to miss a tackle on the game. Overall, Watkins didn't play bad, but players like Hankins, Odighizuwa and Neville Gallimore continue to get snaps in preference. At this rate Watkins will go from a rotational player to a situational player.
  • Edge Dante Fowler – Fowler played his lowest snap count (14) since week one. No tackles and wasn't even used on special teams. Seeing players like Williams and Chauncey Golston get preferred snaps thanks to their abilities to play the run.

Featured image via Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

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