An effort from both sides of the ball has helped the Cowboys register a 4-2 record after the first six weeks of football, the 4th best in NFC.
Pro Football Focus grades give everyone an idea of who is meeting expectations; it evaluates every player on every play during a football game.
Two of the five highest-graded players might surprise some, but they have been critical to a successful start.
ED Micah Parsons: 90.3 overall grade
Micah Parsons being the highest-rated Cowboys player through the first six weeks of the season shouldn’t shock anyone. Parsons leads the NFL in sacks with seven; he has registered 26 tackles (19 solo).
He could be well on his way to his first Defensive Player of the Year award if he stays healthy and keeps being the driving force behind the Dallas defense.
RB Tony Pollard: 84.9 overall grade
Feed this guy the rock.
Kellen Moore is using him well this season. The combination of Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott has created solid results. Pollard has 55 carries for 292 yards and two touchdowns, while Zeke has 94 carries for 386 yards and two scores.
Pollard’s ability to catch the football and get to the second level as a change of pace back to Zeke has been good. Nothing should change when Prescott returns to the lineup.
FS Malik Hooker: 82.2 overall grade
What a year he is having, huh? I created a post last week about the phenomenal start he has gotten off to, and this proves it even more.
Hooker is ranked third in Successful Coverage Over Expectation (SCOE), a metric created to show the best coverage defenders and help predict future coverage success. He has 25 solo tackles and one interception on the year.
Hooker has overcome many of his injury troubles and given himself a chance to have his best season as a pro.
ED DeMarcus Lawrence: 79.5 overall grade
Lawrence has had a solid six weeks for the Cowboys’ defense. He has started all six games and produced three sacks, all of them against the Giants. Then, 29 total tackles and a fumble recovery for a touchdown against the Rams in week 5.
He is reaping the benefits of all the attention used to help stop Parsons. He is generating a lot of QB pressures and hits to go along with his three sacks.
WR CeeDee Lamb: 74.3 overall grade
This number might be a bit low for some fans to accept. I am glad he is on here because of how the offense has been operating the last four games without Dak Prescott. With 11 games to play, Lamb has 409 yards and two touchdowns, averaging just under 70 yards a game.
The return of Michael Gallup should continue to help his increase in production.
Highest-graded #Cowboys by @PFF through Week 6:
1. ED Micah Parsons – 90.3
2. RB Tony Pollard – 84.9
3. FS Malik Hooker – 82.2
4. ED Demarcus Lawrence – 79.2
5. WR CeeDee Lamb – 74.3— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) October 18, 2022
Hooker and Tony Pollard are the two who jump off the screen for me.
Until his interception last week, I had no idea Hooker was having this type of impact. The Cowboys have great players on that side of the ball, and his appearance on the list proves how great of a year he is having.
The increase in the touches for Pollard has him the highest-graded player on offense for the Cowboys thus far.
