Tyron Smith and Zack Martin were the only two Cowboys named to the All-Decade Team for the 2010s, as selected by the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Here are three other Dallas greats who I think should have made the list.
Travis Frederick, Center
This is the most obvious snub that everyone can think of. Travis Frederick played from 2013 to 2019, and if not for missing the entire 2018 season while battling with Guillain-Barré syndrome, would’ve started every game for his entire career.
He gets the nod over Alex Mack because Frederick was better in less time. During Mack’s career he was never considered the best at his position, but by his second season Travis Frederick had taken that title. Both are three-time All-Pros, with Frederick being the only one with any first-team selections. Not that Alex Mack’s not a great player but the evidence says Travis Frederick has been greater.
Ezekiel Elliott, Flex
Ezekiel Elliott’s only been in the league for four seasons and hasn’t had time to do enough to be in the same group as future Hall of Famers Adrian Peterson or Frank Gore. Nevertheless, Zeke’s impressive play in a small sample size is up there with the best players from 2010-2019 as a runner and receiver.
Ezekiel Elliott has played in 56 games, missing six due to suspension and two others as week 17 rests for playoff games. However ,since he’s never missed time due to injury, we can adjust his numbers for a full four seasons: 6,177 rushing yards, 45 rushing touchdowns, 216 receptions, 1,850 receiving yards, and nine reviving touchdowns.
In only four years Ezekiel Elliott has been one of the best overall offensive weapons the league has had for a long time. He could’ve gotten a nod as a running back but should’ve been the pick as the flex player.
DeMarcus Ware, Outside Linebacker
Back when the Cowboys ran a 3-4 defense DeMarcus Ware was the best edge rusher in the game. For his consideration on the All-Decade should be his time on the Cowboys and Broncos, where he was among the best players in the league.
If we just look at his time in the decade from 2010 to 2016 he had 12 forced fumbles, 74 sacks and 91 tackles for loss all while being invited to five Pro Bowls as well as an All-Pro selection.
Remember too that Ware was selected to the NFL’s 2000’s All-Decade team. In that time he had less sacks, tackles for loss, and Pro Bowl selections than he did in the past decade. It only makes sense to reward him for an ever better decade than the last one.
