Dallas Cowboys: Backups Who Could See Extended Playing Time in 2022
The Dallas Cowboys have their starters set. Mostly. With the 2022 season gearing up to start, the only questions around key players may or may not come by way of free agency. As far as depth is concerned, the team has plenty of quality depth in key spots. Whether it's safety, tight end or edge […]
The Dallas Cowboys have their starters set. Mostly. With the 2022 season gearing up to start, the only questions around key players may or may not come by way of free agency.
As far as depth is concerned, the team has plenty of quality depth in key spots. Whether it's safety, tight end or edge rusher, the Cowboys will be able to use their depth to the fullest.
What about the back ups? The players who won't factor into the rotation as heavily, primarily used on special teams? The role players. If history is any indication, the Cowboys will be forced to use the backend of their depth.
This can be both positive as well as negative.
Positive as it will gives the team better clarity just how deep they are at certain positions.
Negative as it could likely expose which players are underdeveloped. Affecting the team on whichever side of the ball they play.
In either case, the Dallas Cowboys are going to see these five backups this year. In a multitude of roles, even with some potential starts.
What constitutes a backup isn't simply defined by what the depth chart shows. Rather the amount of consistent playing time in the rotation. Consensus starters and key rotational role players are not considered for this list.
OL Matt Farniok
Despite some bad snaps early in camp, Farniok has displayed some substantial growth as a player.
He displays plenty of power, having taken snaps at both center and even some at guard. His position versatility and talent have made it where the Dallas Cowboys currently have him as the only backup interior offensive lineman.
With the likelihood he would primarily fill in at center or left guard, with Connor McGovern as the potential fill-in at right guard should Zack Martin miss time.
The connection with QB Dak Prescott and mechanical aspects are the primary reasons Tyler Biadasz is still the starter. Biadasz, having had an overall decent season in year two.
Should Biadasz or McGovern struggle at all, Farniok would likely see snaps. As the Dallas Cowboys front office is making it clear rookie Tyler Smith is the team's left tackle of the future. Farniok's power would be a welcomed sight and a positive indication where he is now as opposed to a year ago.
Who knows where else he'll be used?
DL Sam Williams
The Dallas Cowboys second round pick continues to impress. A rookie edge rusher displaying plenty of power, as well as the ability to move inside to 3-technique, similar to Chauncey Golston.
With a man of his size, speed and power, he is just beginning to blossom.
He's still visibly raw. Often relying on pure power and speed to rush the passer. His most likely role early in the season will be obvious passing downs. He is too skilled to not put on the field to rush the pass with Micah Parsons.
Right now he's fifth on the depth chart behind DeMarcus Lawrence, Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler and Chancey Golston. As he continues to develop his hand skills and pass rush moves, he'll be a situational rusher, who could start to move higher up the depth chart as the season moves along.
DB DaRon Bland
Bland came in to training camp lauded for his ability to play multiple positions in the secondary. Nickel corner, outside and even deep as an extra safety.
His play, coupled with disappointing performances from second year corners Kelvin Joseph and Nahshon Wright, is putting eyes on him. Going from sixth round pick, to fourth on the depth chart. Sitting only behind Jourdan Lewis in the slot.
We might see Bland in a starting role sooner than later. The three primary starters (Lewis, Anthony Brown and Trevon Diggs) all managed to stay healthy together last season.
If Lewis continues to miss practices, it put will put his availability for game one in question. Bland is taking the snaps with the first team, and it might stay that way to start the season. With an expanded role as the season goes along.
DB/LB Markquese Bell
Bell came into camp with the strong probability of making the Dallas Cowboys final roster. Their unofficial seventh-round pick, Bell is an undrafted rookie who continues to practice and play all across the defense.
Free safety, box safety, in the slot, STAR position (Jayron Kearse) and even as an edge rusher.
He's currently listed as the second-team free safety. Meaning his earliest contributions will be on special teams.
However, Dan Quinn loves to use multiple safeties on the field. With Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson and Kearse all on the field at once. Bell continues to show he is capable of playing all three spots.
Even at LB. Considering the health history of Hooker, Wilson, Anthony Barr, Leighton Vander Esch and Jabril Cox, we may see Bell on the defense sooner than later. It just depends on where.
WR Simi Fehoko
CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup, Noah Brown and rookie Jalen Tolbert are all ahead of Simi Fehoko on the depth chart. Dennis Houston won't be on the gameday roster and KaVontae Tuprin is the Dallas Cowboys primary kick/punt returner.
Fehoko now will get to play the 'Malik Turner role' as WR5. Primarily as a special teams player who will get limited snaps to start. The good news for him is the depth behind Lamb is shaky at best.
Gallup is out for an undetermined amount of time. While Noah Brown has had the best off-season of his career, he's six years in and might only be who he's been up to this point. Tolbert is a third-round rookie and will get snaps over Fehoko, but has had issues with drops.
The front office continues to be content with who is already on the team. Fehoko, to his credit, has adapted his route tree well and is developing a solid connection with Dak.
His size (6'4" 220-pounds) and speed (4.37 40) combo are only part of his potential. If he gets similar playing time Turner or even Brown got last year due to injuries, he could be in for more snaps.
If in fact he has taken a nice step in year two, the Cowboys could have their deep threat and mismatch target all in one.
Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports
