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The 2024 Dallas Cowboys probably are in the midst of a lost season, but they would be smart to evaluate some of their key players down the stretch. John breaks down the most important players for the Cowboys to scrutinize for the rest of the season for fantasy football.
At some positions, though, they severely lack talent. Still, those players will have to step up and be good enough to help the team win games.
Let's break down key players down the final stretch of games for the Cowboys.
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DeMarvion Overshown, Linebacker
Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (hamstring) is currently dealing with a hamstring injury, but it's not reportedly a serious issue, at least not yet. In addition to having an awesome name, he's had some awesome games, racking up nine tackles in Week 13, for example.
DeMarvion Overshown needs legitimate Pro Bowl consideration.
Game-wrecker.pic.twitter.com/fwa7zsh3n2
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) November 28, 2024
He also recovered a fumble and intercepted a pass that he returned for a touchdown. He's clearly a dynamic player, and the defense will need to play lights out against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 14, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 16, and the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 17, all of whom have high-powered offenses.
Overshown will need to continue to be a tackling machine, using his excellent burst, speed, and length to set the edge on run plays, get into the backfield to stuff runs, and pressure opposing quarterbacks.
Rico Dowdle, Running Back
The Cowboys are tied for the least efficient rushing team in the league -- they average a miserable 3.7 yards per carry as a squad. That has to change. The team's most talented running back is Rico Dowdle. He's coming off his best game of the season, racking up 21.3 PPR fantasy points.
Rico Dowdle looked really good NYG. Tied a career-high with 5 forced missed tackles and a career-high 4 10-plus-yard runs.
His vision, contact balance, tempo and patience were all on point throughout the game. #Cowboys pic.twitter.com/xkbE0RXaBO
— John Owning (@JohnOwning) November 29, 2024
He rushed 22 times for 112 yards and a touchdown and caught all three of his targets for 11 yards. He'll need to continue to play like that. Those numbers came against a weak New York Giants rushing defense, but he'll get to face the Cincinnati Bengals and Carolina Panthers next. Those will be solid opportunities to shine against more weak defenses.
Dowdle will have to step up his game if he wants to keep his starting job into 2025.
Cooper Rush, Quarterback
Obviously, most teams need the player at the most important position in the sport to at least be serviceable. Rush has now completed 112 of his 185 pass attempts for 1,008 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions. The difficulty is he doesn't have much of a run game to take pressure off his shoulders.
Cooper Rush (5) to Brandin Cooks (2)
Dallas Cowboys
2 yards
pic.twitter.com/2yFhqznMUM— NFL Touchdown Videos (@NFLTDsVideos) November 29, 2024
In addition, there are several key injuries on the offense. Star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) continues to battle through a shoulder ailment, and it could be affecting his play.
There isn't much depth at the skill positions. At least tight end Jake Ferguson (concussion) will return in Week 14, but the banged-up squad may make it difficult for the team to determine if Rush can be a decent backup moving forward.
Brock Hoffman, Offensive Guard
Future Hall of Fame offensive guard Zack Martin (ankle) will have season-ending ankle surgery and won't play another snap in 2024. He could retire after this season, considering that he's 34 years old, and was reportedly mulling it. This would normally mark a big shift in the OL's performance, but Martin's play has been falling off in recent years.
Brock Hoffman did a lot of good things at RG this week. One of the most underrated finishers in the league. pic.twitter.com/2KWo9b0p14
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) November 25, 2024
There are many things you can criticize the Cowboys for, but they're able to consistently draft gems of offensive linemen and develop them well. They'll have to find out if Hoffman can be the guy to hold things down in the trenches in place of Martin moving forward.
KaVontae Turpin, Wide Receiver/Returner
The team would be well-served to evaluate Turpin as a receiver. He's solidly the team's lead returner, and that isn't about to change. He's made some plays as a WR, but with Cooks getting old and no viable options other than Lamb to contribute consistently, perhaps they could use Turpin's blinding speed to create mismatches.
TURPIN TIME! ⌚️⌚️
Former #TCU star KaVontae Turpin with the 64-yard touchdown for the @dallascowboys !
— Frogs O’ War (@FrogsOWar) November 19, 2024
Track star speed can be used to create big mismatches in the big show. Dallas should figure out how to use their returner to help their struggling offense. A soon-to-be-lost season is the best time to do it.
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