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
He’s signed through 2024
really this is business decsions you think ATL forgot about Julio? they moved on for younger and cheaper, you think OAK forgot about AC they knew he would cost and let him walk, you think Dhop IMO best WR in the NFL at least top 3 was truly forgotten, it was a business decsions..happens all the time and IMO not enough around here as you know Jerry gets emotionally attached to players..The impact he has had on this offense can't be overstated. He changed everything after the trade. Time goes on, and the fan base forgets quickly.
It’s an opinion forum Joe, not an agreement party.Thanks so much for sharing... but nobody asked you so you just had to add your 2 cents anyway. Crashing other people's posts is just what you do.
I don't see Pollard as a replacement for Zeke, either now or in the future. Both are probably gone in 2023. But he is a great complement.
I wish we made more use of sets with Zeke and Pollard, with Pollard as the "web back" WR/RB hybrid to threaten runs outside the hash marks and deep throws while Zeke threatens runs between the hash marks.
Gallup as the 3rd may have the best 1 and 2 in front of him. Makes life easy on him. Should be good for lots of yards per catch, but not so good for a lot of targets.
I don't see any evidence that suggests Gallup will outplay Cooper though. The one thing Gallup does better than Cooper is go up for a high pass, but Cooper appears to be clearly better in every other area (routes, hands, reading the coverage, speed …).What I think is a plausible scenario is that CeeDee has the year most here expect him to, and then Gallup outplays Cooper in a contract year. The scenario then becomes, “How much sense does it make to pay your #3 WR 20m$?” …even if it technically works within the cap
And then what if you develop a good receiver in the next year or two? You ask him just sit, no playing time available? Perhaps spreading assets would be more fortuitous, get that pick for Amari AND spend the cap space on another marquee player somewhere else
I don't see any evidence that suggests Gallup will outplay Cooper though. The one thing Gallup does better than Cooper is go up for a high pass, but Cooper appears to be clearly better in every other area (routes, hands, reading the coverage, speed …).
Exactly. He makes defenders look silly. Some teams double team him so he "gets lost" as the haters like to say.The impact he has had on this offense can't be overstated. He changed everything after the trade. Time goes on, and the fan base forgets quickly.
Fair point about 2019. I do think Cooper is, and always will be a more consistent target because of his route running and ability to be in sync with the QB. But admittedly that's an opinionIts all hypothetical. In 2019 in 14 games (only 12 starts), Gallup put up a season roughly as good as Cooper ever has in 16 starts. He’s a generally healthier, cheaper, younger, home grown option. Not that he’s already better than Cooper, but we kind of know what Cooper is at this point. Gallup plausibly could become that as well.
Maybe not likely, but he’s set the groundwork for it
The impact he has had on this offense can't be overstated. He changed everything after the trade. Time goes on, and the fan base forgets quickly.
I guess they failed to say that Pollard struggled, yes with the same back up OL Zeke had. And much of his rushing yards came from a long run late in the game, was it like 62 yards?
He ended having a decent game stat wise, but he struggled the 1st 3 quarters to get what he had.
I like Pollard as a compliment to Zeke as you said. But no way he is a Zeke replacement as many on here hype him to be. I hope they utilize him better though this year.
Some thought Marion Barber should have been the starter instead of the "change of pace" rusher.
And we know how that turned out.
But I don't think the Cowboys ever thought that Pollard could be Zeke's replacement, not all season long anyway...
I agree. But the Zeke 'dislikers' disagree. Even though they truly know the reality of it.
really this is business decsions you think ATL forgot about Julio? they moved on for younger and cheaper, you think OAK forgot about AC they knew he would cost and let him walk, you think Dhop IMO best WR in the NFL at least top 3 was truly forgotten, it was a business decsions..happens all the time and IMO not enough around here as you know Jerry gets emotionally attached to players..
AC is the odd man out not the worst player . get it? hes expensive, has health issues, the oldest, and yes sometimes you move on..we appreciate AC but doesnt mean we cant move on from him to get younger and truly not lose much..if we can move on from Romo to dak seeing not big drop off and money vs age and injury, well AC was not home grown guy, much easier to let go IMHO..
Hes our Julio right now for 2022.... best WR but not by much and just getting younger and bi cheaper is key to long term success..
Sounds like more of Monsterback type of position.Read the article you'll see he's a versatile player.
He lined up 22 times on the DL.
He was in the box 484 plays.
He played slot corner 157 snaps, 28 at wide corner and 226 at FS.
Also had a few plays in kick coverage, punt return, and XPs.
Neal may carry that position label (LB) now, but he should be a versatile piece for Quinn lining up everywhere from the box to deep as a free safety. He's expected to make an all around impact (health permitting).
If you think Cooper pulls the invisible man then what does Gallup do. Gallup has never shown anything that he can be a lead dog. CeeDee has potential to be a lead dog but it will be more obvious this year. Getting rid of cooper to keep Gallup who is nice piece to keep but if his ceiling is #2 or #3 you dont get rid of a #1 to keep a #2 or #3 receiver.Personally, I'd trade Amari. He's great when he's there, but he pulls the invisible man routine at times. I know people claim we need that speed, but he runs 4.42 to Gallup's 4.51. And all those precision routes aren't worth the precision they're drawn up to be if we aren't getting anywhere. Fehoko, if he makes the team, rounds out his routes, but he's big and fights for the ball (the reason I suspect we'll use him a lot in the end zone).
Be a luxury to keep them all, if only we could.