The Dallas Cowboys roster is like no other in the NFL. From the MVP-caliber quarterback with little fan support, the record-breaking young guys at wide receiver and pass rusher, to the future hall of famer on the offensive line, this group is an enigma.
Why are they an enigma?
Because despite all of that, they can’t win when it counts.
The Cowboys have a -37 point differential and 0-2 record against teams over .500 and a +141 point differential with a 6-1 record against teams below .500 this season.
— Shane Haff (@ShaneHaffNFL) November 14, 2023
When you add in how much talent they lost in the offseason, this Cowboys roster is a doozy.
Heading into this crucial 2024 season, much has been said about this squad and its players. Do they have enough talent? Have some guys hit their peak? Are others on the decline?
All of those questions are worth asking.
Especially when their Super Bowl window is right here, right now.
Super Bowl Odds #NFL
Chiefs +550
49ers +600
Ravens +950
Lions +1200
Bills+1200
Bengals +1300
Texans +1600
Cowboys +1700
Eagles +1700
Packers +1800
Jets +2000
Dolphins +2200— PhillyGodfather ® Sports Bettor (@phillygodfather) July 4, 2024
What we aren’t talking about enough is who is heading into the prime of their career. These are the guys who can keep the window open because of improved performance and sustained success.
With that in mind, let’s talk about three guys on the Cowboys roster who might be hitting their prime in 2024.
Quarterback, Dak Prescott
Let’s go ahead and get the obvious and most controversial answer out of the way.
You may not like it, but All-Pro Quarterback Dak Prescott is much more likely to be hitting his prime than regressing in 2024.
Dak Prescott led the NFL in Touchdown Passes (36), was 2nd in TD/INT ratio (4:1), passer rating (105.9), and was 3rd in passing yards (4,516).
CeeDee Lamb led the league in receptions (135), was second in yards (1,749) and third in TDs (12).
Best QB/WR tandem in the NFL? pic.twitter.com/jd0zyaJrlO
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) January 8, 2024
For some reason, quarterbacks can sometimes age like fine wine.
We’ve seen this with players like Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Matthew Stafford, and Cowboys legend, Tony Romo.
With playing time comes experience, and for some signal-callers, that experience gives them a huge boost as they age.
Romo, specifically, has talked about how much better he was in his late 30s, and unbiased Cowboys fans should be able to recall that too.
For Dak Prescott, he is coming off a career year, one that almost won him the MVP award.
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott finished second in NFL MVP voting.
Lamar Jackson won by a large margin, receiving 49 of 50 first place votes
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) February 9, 2024
He is just now hitting his 30s, and if you can’t admit he has gotten substantially better over time, you might not be watching.
Since his ankle injury in 2020, Prescott has thrown 96 touchdowns in just 45 games.
That is an unreal ratio, and he might just be getting started. Don’t be surprised if we see even stronger numbers from Prescott in 2024 and a much higher price tag as a result.
Running Back, Rico Dowdle
It is time to give Rico Dowdle his flowers. It is also time to admit that the next two to three years are the Cowboys’ best chance to get production from him.
Running backs have a notoriously short shelf-life, and we can’t expect Dowdle to be the exception.
Luckily for Dallas, the tread on his tires is pretty light. Heading into his fourth year on the Cowboys roster, Rico Dowdle has just under 100 career rushes.
He is now on a new one-year deal, but his market could explode after the 2024 season.
Rico like Suave
🗞️: https://t.co/F9zTZyPFf5#DallasCowboys | @blockchain pic.twitter.com/fmPTsLdXul
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) March 18, 2024
At age 26, he is in the perfect spot to enter his prime, even if it is short.
Dowdle brings a ton of energy, juice, and hard running to the Dallas offense, and now is the time to utilize that. While much has been made about the return of Ezekiel Elliott, the true RB1 spot belongs to this kid.
Elliott can play a fine veteran role blocking and catching, but Dallas must get the most out of Rico Dowdle before it is too late.
Wide Receiver, CeeDee Lamb
To say that 2023 OPOY candidate, CeeDee Lamb, is hitting his prime may be the understatement of the century. Since entering the league, Lamb has increased his yards, receptions, and touchdown totals each year.
The 2023 season was the pinnacle of that. Lamb was simply unguardable, reeling in a league-best 135 passes for a Cowboys-record 1,749 yards.
CeeDee Lamb set Cowboys franchise record for receptions (135) and receiving yards (1,749) last season: pic.twitter.com/zTD7rm7fRm
— Moody (@EricNMoody) June 22, 2024
In 2024, Lamb is seeking a new contract and an even bigger season, and I think he will wind up getting both.
He is now 25 years old, a sweet spot for wide receivers. Additionally, he has a veteran in Brandin Cooks and an emerging star in Jake Ferguson to take some attention off of him.
There is no reason to suggest Lamb can’t replicate his 2023 production. In fact, that type of performance might just be the tip of the iceberg for this Cowboys superstar.
