garyo1954
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Matching the star on their helmets, the Cowboys have star players who will drive headlines, get the most attention and ultimately, get the most scrutiny. But these three players are hidden gems on their roster.
3. Keanu Neal is a defensive weapon
The Cowboys had one of the worst defenses in the league last year, including the second-worst run defense (158.8 yards per game) and the seventh-worst passer rating against (100.4). They've enlisted former Falcons' head coach Dan Quinn to turn it around as the new defensive coordinator while bringing in one of his former pupils.
2. Tony Pollard is a capable backup to Exekiel Elliott
The struggles of Ezekiel Elliott, either through indications of his own decline or chalked up to a banged-up offensive line, took center stage last year. But focusing on that means missing what Pollard did when he got opportunities.
After averaging 5.3 yards per carry as a rookie in 2019, Pollard got 101 carries last year as Elliott dealt with hamstring and calf injuries. In the game Elliott missed entirely, Week 15 against the San Francisco 49ers, Pollard posted 132 total yards on 18 touches (six receptions) with two rushing scores. In games he had at least nine opportunities (carries plus targets) in last year, he had at least 40 total yards five times with touchdowns in two other game he didn't reach that threshold.
1. Michael Gallup may be the best No. 3 receiver in the NFL
When CeeDee Lamb was taken in the first round of the 2020 draft, Gallup was bumped down the pecking order among Cowboys' wide receivers. As the proverbial "third wheel", Gallup was indeed third on the team with 105 targets last year (behind Amari Cooper-130 and Lamb-111). But he was still productive, with 843 yards, five touchdowns and a team-best 14.3 yards per catch.
Entering the final year of his contract, Gallup has been seen as a prime trade chip for Dallas. But they hung onto him through the draft and barring a deal between now and Week 1 he'll go into the season as a Cowboy. That won't be ideal for boosting his stock in free agency next March, barring an injury to Cooper or Lamb, but it's not a death knell for him either.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/3-hidden-gems-on-the-dallas-cowboys-roster/ar-AAL9Aih
3. Keanu Neal is a defensive weapon
The Cowboys had one of the worst defenses in the league last year, including the second-worst run defense (158.8 yards per game) and the seventh-worst passer rating against (100.4). They've enlisted former Falcons' head coach Dan Quinn to turn it around as the new defensive coordinator while bringing in one of his former pupils.
2. Tony Pollard is a capable backup to Exekiel Elliott
The struggles of Ezekiel Elliott, either through indications of his own decline or chalked up to a banged-up offensive line, took center stage last year. But focusing on that means missing what Pollard did when he got opportunities.
After averaging 5.3 yards per carry as a rookie in 2019, Pollard got 101 carries last year as Elliott dealt with hamstring and calf injuries. In the game Elliott missed entirely, Week 15 against the San Francisco 49ers, Pollard posted 132 total yards on 18 touches (six receptions) with two rushing scores. In games he had at least nine opportunities (carries plus targets) in last year, he had at least 40 total yards five times with touchdowns in two other game he didn't reach that threshold.
1. Michael Gallup may be the best No. 3 receiver in the NFL
When CeeDee Lamb was taken in the first round of the 2020 draft, Gallup was bumped down the pecking order among Cowboys' wide receivers. As the proverbial "third wheel", Gallup was indeed third on the team with 105 targets last year (behind Amari Cooper-130 and Lamb-111). But he was still productive, with 843 yards, five touchdowns and a team-best 14.3 yards per catch.
Entering the final year of his contract, Gallup has been seen as a prime trade chip for Dallas. But they hung onto him through the draft and barring a deal between now and Week 1 he'll go into the season as a Cowboy. That won't be ideal for boosting his stock in free agency next March, barring an injury to Cooper or Lamb, but it's not a death knell for him either.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/3-hidden-gems-on-the-dallas-cowboys-roster/ar-AAL9Aih