Dallas Cowboys: Stock Up, Stock Down Following Week Three Win
The Dallas Cowboys are a surprising 2-1 to start the 2022 NFL season. Their latest victory over the New York Giants was won on three facets of the game. Seeing the dominance of the defense, the game-changing effectiveness of special teams and the efficiency of the offense is a welcomed sight. Players were flying over […]
The Dallas Cowboys are a surprising 2-1 to start the 2022 NFL season. Their latest victory over the New York Giants was won on three facets of the game.
Seeing the dominance of the defense, the game-changing effectiveness of special teams and the efficiency of the offense is a welcomed sight.
Players were flying over the field and it never felt like the Cowboys weren't in control aside from the lone Giants touchdown drive.
Even more impressive were the amount of young and inexperienced players asked to step up. Playing beyond expectations.
If this trend continues, the Dallas Cowboys might be a low-scoring juggernaut in a relatively weak NFC.
For this list, we won't include players like Micah Parsons or Zack Martin who play at an elite level weekly. We also won't include players who've been previously listed as Up unless their play deteriorated.
Stock Up
- Edge DeMarcus Lawrence – Remember the bet between Parsons and Lawrence over who would finish with more sacks? Last night's 3-sack performance puts him only one behind Parsons on the season. Hopefully his foot won't be a lingering issue.
- OT Terence Steele – Steele may had his best game of the season. He didn't allow a single pressure, going up primarily against Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari for the game. Once considered a weak spot on the offensive line, has become a security on the right side.
- NT Quinton Bohanna – While he didn't blow up the stat sheet, he did blow up the interior offensive line. Repeatedly. Primarily lined up over the center, he consistently got into the backfield. Considering he was questionable to play in the game and was as dominant as he was is even more impressive.
- TE Jake Ferguson – It's a lot to ask of a rookie to step in and start for a Pro Bowl-level player. However, that's exactly what Ferguson did. His two catches for 13 yards were unspectacular but reminded us of his reliability as a pass catcher. Where he shined was as a blocker, often taking on multiple blocks on multiple plays, getting the best of the opposition.
- RB Tony Pollard – A dominant game. Pollards 105 rushing yards with an 8.1 average lead the team. Hopefully Kellen Moore is able to utilize his play-making like this as the season goes along.
- RB Ezekiel Elliott – We can't mention Pollard without Elliott. His 15 carries for 73 yards and touchdown (4.9 yards per carry) and a touchdown has been his best performance of the season so far. The split carries between Elliott and Pollard is showing it's effectiveness with Elliott and Pollard as the Dallas Cowboys Dine and Dash.
- OL Jason Peters – For only 14 snaps, Peters looked as powerful and smooth as ever. Expect him to get more snaps as the season goes along. Especially if he makes more plays like this:
- Edge Dorance Armstrong – Not only is Armstrong now tied for second on the Dallas Cowboys in sacks (3), but his blocked field goal makes him the only active player with both a blocked punt and blocked field goal in their career.
- TE Peyton Hendershot – While Ferguson was the primary TE, Hendershot was the real receiving threat. His three catches for 43 yards saw him showcase his ability to be an effective player after the catch, with a second gear that's reminiscent of an early Blake Jarwin.
- KR/PR KaVontae Turpin – For the second week in a row, Tuprin had a long punt return, showcasing his speed and agility. This time, it turned into what would be the game-winning drive to keep the game out of reach. It's only a matter of time until he gets a house call.
Stock Down
- TE Dalton Schultz – Schultz isn't doing anything on the field that should warrant any disrespect. However, the rookie tandem of Ferguson and Hendershot already has fans and the front office looking at 2023. It's only one game and once Schultz returns from injury he will factor into the offense heavily. Keep an eye on the TE position from here until the end of the season.
- OL Connor McGovern – McGovern played well in the one game he played prior to injury. With Matt Farniok is progressing each week he plays. And the arrival of Jason Peters posses an upgrade that could send McGovern to the bench even once healthy.
- Edge Dante Fowler – Fowler didn't have the same impact he had against Cincinnati. Playing edge and even some 3-tech. The strong performances of Lawrence and Armstrong were too good for him to see the field more than the 26 snaps he played.
- OL Matt Farniok – In the same breathe as McGovern, Farniok is actually slowly getting better by the week. However, he still isn't as good in pass protection as he shows he is in the run. Peters played less snaps than Farniok, but jumped off the tape in less time. He's still a viable offensive player who's made a nice year two jump, but he could be jumped on the depth chart in the coming weeks.
- WR Simi Fehoko – Aside from the catch he had to set up the end-of-half field goal attempt, Fehoko was an afterthought. Despite a strong off-season, we have yet to see Fehoko emerge as a consistent threat in this offense, even with the release of WR Dennis Houston. Jalen Tolbert saw more snaps in his first game, and with Michael Gallup to return soon, those snaps will only lessen.
- LB Leighton Vander Esch – Following up a fantastic performance, Vander Esch was often a liability on the field. While reliable in coverage, he didn't factor near enough into the run defense and was often taken advantage of.
Mandatory credit: Danielle Parhizkaran of NorthJersey.com part of the USA TODAY NETWORK
