10 non-Pro Bowlers that will define Cowboys' success in 2022
The Dallas Cowboys are fortunate to have the amount of high-end players they do. Players like Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, Micah Parsons, Trevon Diggs and Zack Martin. For most teams, this is an embarrassment of riches. Unfortunately, to this point in the franchise it's not enough. The reality is that the Cowboys are more and […]
The Dallas Cowboys are fortunate to have the amount of high-end players they do. Players like Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, Micah Parsons, Trevon Diggs and Zack Martin. For most teams, this is an embarrassment of riches.
Unfortunately, to this point in the franchise it's not enough. The reality is that the Cowboys are more and more dependent on their role players, and key contributors. Players who've never (yet) made a Pro Bowl. Establishing themselves among the best in the game.
Currently, the Cowboys have 10 players who've made at least one Pro Bowl. With many more likely to come later. In fact, it will be the bulk of those non-Pro Bowl players who correlate to success. A big part of it.
There are and will be multiple players who fit this description that play a big part in the scheme. In this instance, we'll only look at the 10 most important.
10) K Jonathan Garibay
Greg Zuerlien completed 82.9% of field goals and 89.3% of extra points in his two seasons in Dallas. They were 1-3 in 2021 in games decided by three points or less. Zuerlein was 7/11 in field goals and 7/9 in extra points. Points left on the board.
Enter Garibay. He completed 93.8% of field goals and 98% (49/50) of extra points his senior year. With a long of 62 yards. Despite having never played in an NFL game is making waves with team as the early favorite for the job.
People take kickers for granted until they're needed. If Garibay plays with the same power and accuracy he did in college, it will be one less problem the team will have to worry about.
9) DL Chauncey Golston
Golston has become the Dallas Cowboys newest version of Tyrone Crawford. A versatile defensive lineman who can line up all over the line of scrimmage and play multiple roles.
Whether it's at edge or inside at tackle, Golston has shown value in multiple areas. Setting the edge, clogging gaps, pressuring the QB or playing the run. He's still raw but showed plenty of promise his rookie season, while being overshadowed by other rookie defenders.
Golston will be a big factor in the Cowboys rotation, inside and on the edge. As long as he continues his progression it adds relief to the starters and value to the depth.
8) RT Terence Steele
The Dallas Cowboys made it a point of emphasis letting La'el Collins go in order to make Steele the full-time starter at right tackle. Collins had missed 21 games the last two seasons for a myriad of reasons: suspension, injury, health, etc.
In Steele's second season as right tackle, he showed tremendous progression and that he's much better suited for the right tackle spot, opposed to the left. A elevation in play that's given this coaching staff confidence that he's the better and more reliable player to use going forward.
The good news is Steele doesn't need to be Collins. He's gotten stronger and long as he continues to progress and hold his blocks, it will be seen as a smart move. Especially in a year that could land him a nice contract extension in the end.
7) WR Jalen Tolbert
A player put into a position who'll need to contribute right away is the Cowboys third round draft pick. Aside from CeeDee Lamb, the WR position is influx with unknowns and underwhelming vets.
Depending on when Michael Gallup is healthy enough to play, Tolbert is the de facto WR2. The player who'll rotate in the slot and flex outside. A vertical threat who can play well in one-on-one situations, allowing QB Dak Prescott to be able to take chances in man coverage.
Rookie WRs can have a hard time adjusting to the game, but Prescott is already taking him under his wing to get him acclimated early. Once it translates to the field, the offense can open up beyond the primary targets.
6) OL Tyler Smith
Despite Connor Williams leading the NFL in penalties, he was a good and reliable blocker. The issues persisted and it caused the coaching staff to replace him for a few games with Connor McGovern, who like Steele is a much better player on the right side.
When it comes to the Dallas Cowboys first round pick, he's being used as a left-side player. Not simply guard or tackle, and for good reason. He's displaying the power necessary to play guard, and is getting plenty of snaps to play left tackle as well. Not only as the potential heir to Tyron Smith's tackle spot, but as a likely filler for potential time missed from injury.
It's early but he's practicing well, but game play is different than shell practices. He'll be a big factor at both tackle and guard this year and will need to play up to his first-round pedigree.
5) RB Tony Pollard
No surprise here. Pollard is the Dallas Cowboys Swiss army knife. Hes' a valuable runner and receiver out of the backfield, as well as the team's most dangerous kick returner.
In every year since his rookie season, he's gotten more rushing attempts and receiving targets. With the state of the running backs with Ezekiel Elliott no longer able to take on 100% of the load, expect an uptick in rushes and catches.
There's even the possibility of using Pollard on the line of scrimmage in the slot. A multi-tooled play-maker that can benefit the team is a number of ways. Hopefully the coaching staff has learned from their mistakes and will give him the ball, religiously.
4) Edge Dorance Armstrong
The loss of Randy Gregory was embarrassing for the front office, and hard on the defensive line. He had just come off his best season of his career and got a massive extension to join the Denver Broncos. In response, the Cowboys chose Plan B and sign another, cheaper edge rusher also coming off the best season of his career.
Armstrong is coming off a season where he totaled five sacks on 22 QB pressures. The rotational edge is now the starting right defensive end with big shoes to fill.
Even in a role that will feature a rotation with Dante Fowler and rookie Sam Williams, Armstrong is paid and set up to be the main right-side rusher. He doesn't need to be Gregory for the defense to succeed, but he does need to capitalize off a career year as a backup, now as a starter.
3) S/LB Jayron Kearse
A Pro Bowl snub from a year ago, Kearse plays multiple roles for this defense. Essentially he's the Tony Pollard of the defense.
He plays as the pure strong safety, box defender, modified SAM LB and nickel defender on and off the line of scrimmage. In this role, created for him by Dan Quinn, he's become a reliable coverage and blitzing defender who's the third or fourth most important defender on the defense.
He was rewarded with a contract extension in the off-season. If Kearse proves he's not just a one-year wonder then it means the defense can continue it's promising success carried over from a year ago.
2) DT Osa Odighizuwa
If Neville Gallimore had not got hurt in the 2021 preseason, Odighizuwa wouldn't have gotten as many extra snaps as he did. Instead Odighizuwa stepped in as a starter, registering two sacks on 37 total pressures, second among rookies behind only Parsons. Giving the defense a powerful, athletic up-and-comer inside.
Defensive tackle isn't looked at as important as an edge rusher or offensive lineman but considering how vulnerable the defense has been in the interior over the years, Odighizuwa offers a glimmer of hope that can change. Especially on a defense that ranked 15th against the run and 21.6% of it's pressures from the interior defensive line
The defense has players like Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, Trevon Diggs and Jayron Kearse to rely heavily upon. Players that cover key areas of the defense. Odighizuwa can be who solidify the interior line of scrimmage.
1) TE Dalton Schultz
The Dallas Cowboys and Dalton Schultz might be at odds in contract negotiations, but they'll need each other in 2022. Schultz will need to display his value to the TE market (again) and the Cowboys will need him to continue to be Dak Prescott's security blanket.
As mentioned with Jalen Tolbert, the WR crop for this team is largely underwhelming. If we throw in the number of tight ends as well, it's in the same boat. With Gallup out for a TBD amount of time, don't be surprised if Schultz is second on the team in targets. Possibly even the team lead depending on how well the offensive line keeps Prescott upright.
In all likelihood, Schultz will play this season on the franchise tag and enter free agency in 2023. He'll be fighting for a new deal, here or elsewhere, and money is the motivation. Given the connection he's established with Dak and the state of the weapons at his disposal, Schultz is one of the most important players on the team this season.
Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
