The Athletic has live coverage of Cowboys vs Giants in NFL Week 1 action.
The Dallas Cowboys ride into the 2023 campaign with one of the best teams they’ve had entering a season in recent years. Expectations are sky high, which means there are also lofty expectations for the individuals who make up the roster. From quarterback Dak Prescott to long snapper Trent Sieg, and everybody in between, let’s take a look at what is expected of each of the players as they prepare for the season opener in New York on Sunday.
Advertisement
Offense
Quarterbacks
Dak Prescott: Although Prescott lost Dalton Schultz and Kellen Moore this offseason, the Cowboys added Brandin Cooks and have some youthful intrigue with Jake Ferguson, Deuce Vaughn and others. Going into his eighth season, Prescott’s interceptions must come down and he’s got to be reliable in the biggest moments — of the game and the season. (Projection: 67 percent completion, 4,500 yards, 35 TDs, 8 INTs)
Cooper Rush: It’s not about the stats and style for Rush. If the Cowboys have to turn to him, Rush needs to just give them (the defense) a chance to win games and not make game-deciding mistakes.
Trey Lance: In conjunction with the coaching staff, Lance must figure out a way to maximize his limited opportunities on the field and improve fundamentally. Any contributions on the field this season would be unexpected gravy.
Running backs
Tony Pollard: As the lone known commodity at the position, Pollard needs to show he’s a viable option in all situations, from running between the tackles, outside zone, pass protection and the passing game. He should be the guy to turn to when the Cowboys need to work the clock. (Projection: 185 carries, 1,100 yards, 7 TDs and 45 catches, 400 yards, 4 TDs)
Rico Dowdle: With his experience and skill set, Dowdle goes into the season as the running back best equipped to handle the Ezekiel Elliott void as a runner. His best work should come in running between the tackles and in pass protection.
Deuce Vaughn: The preseason darling, Vaughn’s expectations come down to usage — how and how much — but he fits the mold of a typical change of pace back who can bust out a big run or make a big catch. Early-career Pollard is a decent place to start.
Hunter Luepke: Without Elliott, the Cowboys don’t have a true power back. Luepke can cement his status as just that by being productive in short-yardage situations, lead blocking, pass blocking and being good on special teams.
GO DEEPER
Who would you rather be: The Dallas Cowboys or San Francisco 49ers?
Wide receivers
CeeDee Lamb: Each of Lamb’s first three seasons have been an upwards trajectory in targets, catches, yards and touchdowns. With the cast around him, the field should open up even more for Lamb and that trend should continue. (Projection: 115 catches, 1,500 yards, 10 TDs)
Brandin Cooks: The Cowboys were middle of the pack, ranking 18th in the league, in percentage of attempts 20 or more yards downfield. Cooks’ presence alone should be worth climbing a few spots, providing a legitimate deep threat and opening things underneath. (Projection: 75 catches, 1,100 yards, 7 TDs)
Advertisement
Michael Gallup: Coming off arguably his worst season in the NFL, Gallup is healthy and in his rightful spot on the depth chart. He should provide Prescott a big body target and step up in the red zone. (Projection: 50 catches, 800 yards, 6 TDs)
Jalen Tolbert: After a disappointing rookie season, Tolbert looks like a different player entering his sophomore season. At minimum, Tolbert should be one of the best No. 4 receivers in the league and given the possibility for injuries, he should be an adequate No. 3 option.
KaVontae Turpin: Head coach Mike McCarthy showed a real commitment to using Turpin more in the offense instead of looking at him strictly as a returner. Turpin’s usage and production will vary week-to-week and be more matchup driven but he should be a spark plug.
Jalen Brooks: A strong training camp showing didn’t translate to preseason games. Brooks’ expectations are minimal this year, just work to hone his craft and be in the right places at the right time, if/when called upon.
Tight ends
Jake Ferguson: Just by nature of what the tight end position means to quarterbacks, and has meant to Prescott, Ferguson has big shoes to fill. The expectation for him isn’t statistical as much as it is to just be Prescott’s safety blanket. (Projection: 45 catches, 400 yards, 4 TDs)
Luke Schoonmaker: The draft status brings higher expectations but considering the skill players around him, Schoonmaker should be able to grow throughout the season as a blocker and receiver. He should be a reliable option come playoff time.
Peyton Hendershot: Barring injuries, the Cowboys aren’t looking to rely heavily upon Hendershot, who may have not even made the roster had John Stephens not torn his ACL. His presence will likely fly under the radar and come primarily in three tight end sets.
Advertisement
Offensive linemen
Tyler Biadasz: There’s a lot that falls on the plate of the center in terms of pre-snap responsibilities. Biadasz needs to carry over what he’s been for Prescott and the Cowboys, which is mentally and physically responsible.
Zack Martin: After Martin won his standoff with the front office and received a well-deserved raise, the expectations are simple for him this season, in that they’re the same as they’ve always been in recent years: best right guard in the NFL.
Terence Steele: Fresh off receiving a new extension, the Cowboys are expecting Steele to hold his own at right tackle every week and make the right side a complete afterthought. Steele is also expected to come back strong and be durable after his ACL injury.
Tyler Smith: The Cowboys are counting on Smith to be a starting-caliber left guard and left tackle, if they need him to shift to the latter. He’s expected to be the most reliable part of the left side of the offensive line.
Tyron Smith: The expectation is that Smith will be his typical great self, when he’s on the field. Most spectators also expect that he will not be able to stay on the field all season, even if they hope otherwise.
GO DEEPER
'Sky is the limit' for Cowboys' starting offensive line, but things can get dicey after that
Asim Richards: By default, Richards is the swing tackle and provides the Cowboys with position flex. He will be expected to clear the pathway in some jumbo packages and give McCarthy options to weight if a need arises on the edges.
T.J. Bass: Bass is currently slated to be the first guard off the bench, which could come by injury at the position itself or if an injury at tackle requires movement. Bass needs to competent on his own to where additional help can fortify his efforts.
Chuma Edoga: The expectations for Edoga are low because his training camp didn’t inspire much confidence. The Cowboys hope it doesn’t come to actually setting expectations for Edoga’s performance.
Advertisement
Defense
Linebackers
Leighton Vander Esch: He’s their best linebacker and the player in charge of wearing the radio to call the defense. The unit has taken a noticeable step back when he hasn’t been on the field in the past. The Cowboys really need him to stay healthy.
Damone Clark: The Cowboys are expecting big things from a healthy Clark in Year 2. He started five games last year but will likely start every one this year as long as he remains healthy.
Devin Harper: He played in only three games as a rookie with all 52 snaps coming on special teams. Dallas will need defensive help from him with rookie DeMarvion Overshown (knee) out for the season.
Cornerbacks
Trevon Diggs: He is one of the NFL’s top cornerbacks and was paid like one in July. Recording another 11 interceptions like he did two years ago is probably too much to expect. But Diggs should again be among the league leaders in takeaways this season.
Stephon Gilmore: Trading for Gilmore has given the Cowboys one of the best starting cornerback units in the league. He turns 33 later this month, but he showed throughout training camp that there’s still plenty left in the tank.
DaRon Bland: He was a pleasant surprise last season, eventually stepping into a starting role and never looking like a rookie. He’s expected to handle the inside with Gilmore and Diggs on the perimeter. Those three make it a real possibility for Dallas to lead the NFL in takeaways for a third consecutive season.
Jourdan Lewis: He has exceeded expectations in how quickly he has returned from a significant foot injury to be on the active roster. He needs some time to get caught up in practice, so don’t expect much the first couple of weeks.
Noah Igbinoghene: He’s thrilled to have a new start in Dallas after things never worked out in Miami. The 2020 first-round pick is expected to provide depth as an outside corner.
Eric Scott: The rookie had some excellent days in training camp, but he’s probably not ready to contribute much defensively. The Cowboys are hoping his upside will lead to a contributor down the road.
GO DEEPER
NFL win total projections for all 32 teams: Experts react to our model
Safeties
Jayron Kearse: The leader on the back end, Kearse will be used in a variety of ways in Dan Quinn’s defense. His best trait is probably his ability to defend athletic tight ends in the passing game. He’s also been among Dallas’ top tacklers over the past two seasons.
Donovan Wilson: Quinn uses several of his safeties like linebackers and Wilson falls into that category. He led the Cowboys in tackles last season while starting every game. He’s still working his way back from a calf injury he suffered early in camp.
Advertisement
Malik Hooker: Kearse, Wilson and Hooker make up one of the best safety trios in the NFL. Hooker is one of the Cowboys’ best tacklers to go along with a good ability to take the ball away. That three-headed monster should be even better in their third season playing together.
Israel Mukuamu: The Cowboys would be just fine using him at safety full time, but his versatility has made him a valuable depth piece at both safety and cornerback. He’s another player that Quinn likes to use in different roles depending on the opponent.
Markquese Bell: The majority of his work came on special teams last year, but he could see more opportunities as a safety/linebacker hybrid this season. He should provide Quinn with excellent depth and special teams coordinator John Fassel with a valuable regular contributor.
Juanyeh Thomas: He stood out during several training camp practices and carried it over into the preseason, forcing the Cowboys to keep him on their 53-man roster. Thomas should also be able to help in multiple defensive roles, if needed, and be a regular on special teams.
Defensive line
Micah Parsons: He’s coming off an absolutely dominant training camp. Entering Year 3, the runner-up for NFL Defensive Player of the Year the last two years deserves to be the front-runner for the award this season. He’s the biggest reason why the Cowboys have a chance to have the NFL’s best defense.
DeMarcus Lawrence: At 31, Lawrence is coming off one of the best training camps of his career. If he can stay healthy, 8 to 10 sacks are a possibility. But he should continue bringing much more than just pass rush. He’s a quality all-around defender.
Sam Williams: He’s hoping for a double-digit sack season in his second year. There’s no questioning his talent to get after the QB. He just needs to remain focused on and off the field.
Advertisement
Dorance Armstrong: His production has improved over the last two seasons, setting career-highs last year with 8 1/2 sacks, 10 tackles for loss and 16 QB hits. There’s no reason to think he can’t continue to improve.
Dante Fowler: He played in every game last season, providing quality depth rushing off the edge. That will again be his role on an edge-rushing unit that might be the deepest in the league.
Osa Odighizuwa: Another young defensive lineman who has improved from Year 1 to Year 2. Dallas’ most talented interior lineman has the strength and athletic ability to be even better than he was during his 19 starts last season.
Johnathan Hankins: He was a valuable pickup last season as Dallas traded for him in October. If he stays healthy, the Cowboys’ run defense should be much improved from the last few years.
Mazi Smith: The expectations are always high with a first-round pick. Dallas drafted Smith to help shut down the run but also provide pass rush up the middle. He’s not ready to start yet, but the plan is for him to be a factor in their DT rotation.
GO DEEPER
Mazi Smith, Jalen Tolbert and the Cowboys' lesson of patience: 'It’s a long haul'
Neville Gallimore: He hasn’t been as productive as the Cowboys were hoping when they drafted him in the third round. But on this team, he just needs to be a solid contributor to the DT rotation behind Odighizuwa.
Chauncey Golston: The 2021 third-round pick provides help off the edge and in the middle. He should be a solid rotational piece, if needed.
Viliami Fehoko: Somewhat similar to Golston, Fehoko probably won’t make a significant impact during his rookie season. The hope is that he can become a versatile three-tech DT who can also help off the edge.
Special teams
Brandon Aubrey, K: There were times early in camp where it looked like Aubrey wouldn’t be the guy. But he has steadily improved to win the job. He has become reliable on extra points and provided proof in the final preseason game that he can drill a 59-yard field goal. But kickers can be a tough bunch to predict, so stay tuned.
Advertisement
Bryan Anger, P: He has done a good job for the Cowboys over the last two seasons, making the Pro Bowl in 2021. No reason to think there will be any dropoff in his 12th NFL season.
Trent Sieg, LS: This will be his sixth NFL season after spending the last five with the Raiders. He has played in 80 NFL games, so the Cowboys obviously feel comfortable with him in his current role.
(Top photo of Dak Prescott: Cooper Neill / Getty Images)
The Football 100, the definitive ranking of the NFL’s best 100 players of all time, goes on sale this fall. Pre-order it here.