Breakouts: Young veterans who could have a breakout year

[Killerinstinct]

Overshown should play outside. Marist will kick inside next year likely per LB Coach Scott McCurley

This why I don’t understand the Marist pick at all. He is a liability against the run and tremendous against the pass. Why on earth would we play him in the middle?

 

[rambo2]

It is clear that the philosophy of the Cowboys front office is to build the roster almost exclusively through the “draft and develop” model. Although I believe we are missing out on adding some key free agents, we have done a pretty good job of drafting and most players we’ve selected have at least contributed if not as starters, as good depth and STs players.

So, since we have not added any big impact FAs, who among our young veterans - the players we’ve drafted the last couple of years - have developed to the point of having a breakout years. Just to clarify, I’m not including this year’s rookies, because they haven’t had a year of developing yet.

With that in mind, here are the young vets I believe have the best chance to breakout as major contributors in 2024:

• DeMarvion Overshown- 2023 Draft LB- before his knee injury last August, Overshown flashed a little in TC and preseason games. He needs to add some bulk and show he can run stuff better, but his speed and athleticism make him a great developmental project. He already has excellent coverage skills. Hoping Mike Zimmer can coach him up.
• John Stephens Jr- TE- an UFA in 2023, Stephens also suffered a knee injury in a ps game. He has excellent speed and ball skills but like Overshown needs to bulk up a little and improve as a blocker as he only weighed about 220 last year. He might be an excellent option as the third TE behind Ferguson and Schoonmaker.
• Jalen Tolbert - WR Drafted in 3rd round in 2022. Was a big disappointment as a rookie in ‘22, but he improved last year as a backup, playing in all 17 games, making 22 receptions and 2 TDs. He’s never going to be a star but I could see him catching around 40 passes next year and becoming a reliable third receiver.
• Damone Clark - LB drafted in 5th round in 2022. Clark has already been a starter but I expect him to show major improvement in ‘24. He can fly to the ball quickly but has been too easily blocked in the running game. Another guy Zimmer should be able to coach up.
• TJ Bass and Brock Hoffman- OL - I listed them together because they should be the key backups for the OL this year. Hoffman can play C and Bass showed some decent play last year as a guard. They both can be excellent depth pieces for the OL.

Who are the young veteran players you see as potential breakouts this coming season?

Keep an eye on Fehoko, Eric Scott, and Cropper.

 

[Bobhaze]

Keep an eye on Fehoko, Eric Scott, and Cropper.

Ok. Not disagreeing but…Why do you feel that way?

 

[rambo2]

Also, J. Thomas. They have so many, they are bound to hit on some to quite a few. They are going to get some good ones out of their young guys.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I probably should have included Mazi. I don’t think he’s as bad as he appeared last year.

This exactly. The way the Cowboys mismanaged him and his weight last year was criminal. They did the same thing with Tolbert and the playbook his rookie year.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Another possibility is Juanyeh Thomas.

He deserves and has earned more playing time!

 

[blueblood70]

I think Overshown is gonna disappoint people. He probably will start camp on the PUP list, then he has to get over that injury mentally

and you're way too early NEGATIVE opinion disappoints me, so hey we're all on the same boat

 

[rambo2]

Ok. Not disagreeing but…Why do you feel that way?

Go look at Cropper's college highlights. He is a good player that should have been drafted. I trust the Cowboys on their picks of Fehoko and Scott. They basically redshirted them last year to have them stashed for this year. In a recent interview J. Thomas mentioned Fehoko and Scott as guys that can play. He said that Scott is a baller. I believe him. I'd say J. Thomas is a baller as well.

 

[jwitten82]

and you're way too early NEGATIVE opinion disappoints me, so hey we're all on the same boat

REALISTIC, get it right

 

[blueblood70]

REALISTIC, get it right

it's actually not realistic you're trying to predict the future and say the dude's gonna start out on the PUP list which we don't know you're saying he's not gonna be ready but the guy got hurt in training camp last year he had a full season off already to get right and now another offseason I think he's starting game one and he'll be fine you're utilizing knowledge of other players coming back slow but there are lots of other examples around the league of people getting hurt like this and being just fine their first year back it's when you get hurt he got hurt in the training camp.... So your opinion about the future Mr. Nostradamus is just that that's not being realistic, you're being negative..

you're literally saying the man's gonna be on pup and he's going to let everyone down and I'm telling you I believe it's going to be quite the opposite, he will have to learn a new defense, he will have to gain confidence but he's been in the weight room allegedly like a warrior and put on muscle and he's even better now suited for the NFL linebacker position than he was when he came out as a rookie... If you watch this guy in college he's one of those high motor ,high energy, effort guys... he is always going to try to be the best, I'm not saying that's how it's going to work out but I'd rather see it from the realistic view that his injury happened, so early that there's no reason to think he won't be ready for game one to go full speed....

 

[jwitten82]

it's actually not realistic you're trying to predict the future and say the dude's gonna start out on the PUP list which we don't know you're saying he's not gonna be ready but the guy got hurt in training camp last year he had a full season off already to get right and now another offseason I think he's starting game one and he'll be fine you're utilizing knowledge of other players coming back slow but there are lots of other examples around the league of people getting hurt like this and being just fine their first year back it's when you get hurt he got hurt in the training camp.... So your opinion about the future Mr. Nostradamus is just that that's not being realistic, you're being negative..

you're literally saying the man's gonna be on pup and he's going to let everyone down and I'm telling you I believe it's going to be quite the opposite, he will have to learn a new defense, he will have to gain confidence but he's been in the weight room allegedly like a warrior and put on muscle and he's even better now suited for the NFL linebacker position than he was when he came out as a rookie... If you watch this guy in college he's one of those high motor ,high energy, effort guys... he is always going to try to be the best, I'm not saying that's how it's going to work out but I'd rather see it from the realistic view that his injury happened, so early that there's no reason to think he won't be ready for game one to go full speed....

The history of people coming from this injury under a year is not in your favor

 

[shabazz]

Probably should bring him along slowly and see if he's ready down the stretch for a playoff push.

......I sincerely have to thank you for a great laugh with that one.

 

[blueblood70]

The history of people coming from this injury under a year is not in your favor

actually there's a lot of people that have and then there's a lot of people that have it every person heals differently again the timing of it in training camp he's had the entire full season to recover and now a new fresh off season I don't think you understand the difference it's not like when Michael Gallup got hurt with like four games left there's a big difference.. Every player is different but there have been plenty of examples I mean that wide receiver for Tampa Bay who got hurt exactly when Gallup did I think his name was Godwin or could be Goodwin whatever the hell you spell it I know we have one guy that name I always mix him up literally have like 100 catches for like 1000 yards and like a handful of touchdowns coming off the same injury just because gallop didn't heal in time and just because steel seems to be slow we've also seen Adrian Peterson come back fast there are all people around the league they may not be their old selves right away but they're very productive from game one on....

So you can remember all the negative examples and I'll remember all the positive examples and the fact that the timing once again go have to say it he got hurt in training camp that means he's had the entire full season already to get healthy and now a new offseason to workout his mental aspect of his game like you say he has preseason to do that ohh training camp he will be ready for training camp and they may work them in slow but he will be ready to play a as a starter game one and I believe he'll be just fine...

 

[America's Cowboy]

Oh, he had acl injuries? Because thats exactly the same as other minor injuries, right?

Overshown will be back way sooner than later. Sucks for you.

 

[jwitten82]

Overshown will be back way sooner than later. Sucks for you.

Ill remember this when he starts training camp on PUP list. Dont act forgetful

 

[America's Cowboy]

Ill remember this when he starts training camp on PUP list. Dont act forgetful

No problem.

 

[Rockport]

It is clear that the philosophy of the Cowboys front office is to build the roster almost exclusively through the “draft and develop” model. Although I believe we are missing out on adding some key free agents, we have done a pretty good job of drafting and most players we’ve selected have at least contributed if not as starters, as good depth and STs players.

So, since we have not added any big impact FAs, who among our young veterans - the players we’ve drafted the last couple of years - have developed to the point of having a breakout years. Just to clarify, I’m not including this year’s rookies, because they haven’t had a year of developing yet.

With that in mind, here are the young vets I believe have the best chance to breakout as major contributors in 2024:

• DeMarvion Overshown- 2023 Draft LB- before his knee injury last August, Overshown flashed a little in TC and preseason games. He needs to add some bulk and show he can run stuff better, but his speed and athleticism make him a great developmental project. He already has excellent coverage skills. Hoping Mike Zimmer can coach him up.
• John Stephens Jr- TE- an UFA in 2023, Stephens also suffered a knee injury in a ps game. He has excellent speed and ball skills but like Overshown needs to bulk up a little and improve as a blocker as he only weighed about 220 last year. He might be an excellent option as the third TE behind Ferguson and Schoonmaker.
• Jalen Tolbert - WR Drafted in 3rd round in 2022. Was a big disappointment as a rookie in ‘22, but he improved last year as a backup, playing in all 17 games, making 22 receptions and 2 TDs. He’s never going to be a star but I could see him catching around 40 passes next year and becoming a reliable third receiver.
• Damone Clark - LB drafted in 5th round in 2022. Clark has already been a starter but I expect him to show major improvement in ‘24. He can fly to the ball quickly but has been too easily blocked in the running game. Another guy Zimmer should be able to coach up.
• TJ Bass and Brock Hoffman- OL - I listed them together because they should be the key backups for the OL this year. Hoffman can play C and Bass showed some decent play last year as a guard. They both can be excellent depth pieces for the OL.

Who are the young veteran players you see as potential breakouts this coming season?

Tyler Smith?

 

[cristglo]

Like one poster said Mazi needs to have a Breakout year IMO it would solidify this defense. Him and Schoon need to justify why they got drafted.

 

[Jarv]

Jalen Brooks.

Yeah he just "looks" (Tall, lanky and fast) like a receiver, I'm hoping we have something there.

 

[Bobhaze]

Tyler Smith?

I guess I’m taking him for granted as already haven broken out as a great player. Not that he can’t improve.