Step up or Maintain

The Dallas Cowboys have many talented players. Zack Martin, Tyron Smith, and Travis Frederick have all cemented themselves as three of the top players at their positions. Other players on the Cowboys roster have shown the ability to perform at a high level but either need to take the next step or maintain that high level in order for the Cowboys to get to the Super bowl. This list will be of the ten players that I feel have to take the next step or contribute the same performances from last season.

10. Demarcus Lawrence

If you’ve read any of my blogs about the Cowboys before than you know I expect a lot from Lawrence. Don’t get me wrong, I know his isn't Reggie White, but I do expect him to be better than Jason Hatcher. I mention Hatcher because he was the Cowboys last double-digit sack artist. Hatcher was good but not great and Lawrence can be better. Lawrence has to step up and be the pass rusher we expect him to be

Lawrence battled injuries (back) and a suspension last season. When he was on the field he didn’t look like his 2015 self. The one thing I can give Lawrence credit for is his ability to play the run. He has gotten better at stopping the run every year he has been in the league. If only he can pair the pass rush production with his ability to play strong against the run the Cowboys will have one solid defensive linemen.

What team needs from him: 10-12 sacks  

Expected production: 8 sacks

9. David Irving

When I was planning this blog, Irving had not been facing a suspension. He will get a chance to appeal, so for now I will write as if he will not be serving a suspension. David Irving had some major flashes last year. He won that Tampa Bay game all by himself. Irving also showed the versatility to play both end and tackle in the 4-3 scheme.

Irving is a good combination of size, length, and speed. At 6’7” he is a long defensive end. He has to utilize that size better this season and get more batted balls at the line of scrimmage. Irving is able to play with good leverage and has the foot quickness to get around offensive linemen once he engages. He was more of a rotational player but I think he has the ability to make a major impact this season even if he is suspended the four games. He has to step his game up this season.

What team needs from him: 6-8 sacks      

Expected production:  5 sacks (suspension)

8. Bryon Jones

          Like D Law, I talk a lot about Bryon Jones. Jones has been one of the better young free safeties in the league. He has the range to play center field, the physicality to play up close to WR and in the box. Jones also has the size and athleticism to match-up against the bigger tight ends in the league.

          In two season with the Cowboys Jones has 1 interception and 18 pass breakups. He also had 81 tackles last season. Jones has to step his game up. When watching him you see the uncertainty at times. He isn’t ready to trust those instincts yet. The Cowboys really need him to force more turnovers. Hopefully with an improved pass rush he should get more opportunities for turnovers.

What the team needs from him: 4 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries

Expected production: 4 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries

7. Sean Lee

          Lee is the best player on the defensive side of the ball. He is arguable the Cowboys best player! Lee has somehow figured out how to shake the injury bug. Moving him to weak side linebacker has also helped keep him healthy. Since 2014, when he missed the entire season, Lee has played and started in 29 of the Cowboys 32 games. In that time, his has made the pro bowl twice and was an all pro in 2016.  

          Sean Lee is the driving force behind this defense. The other players will go as he goes. If he is flying around the field making tackles, it makes the game easier for everyone else. He is also great at taking the middle of the field away in the passing game. Lee has to maintain his high level of production if this team expects to do anything on the defensive side of the ball.

What the Cowboys need from him: 150 tackles, 4 sacks, 3 interception

Expected production: 140 tackles, 4 sacks, 3 interceptions

6.  Anthony Brown

          Simply put can he secure the number one corner spot! Brown flashed last season as a rookie. He played well against some of the best wide receivers in the game. Brown was tough in run support and showed some play making abilities. This was all in a reserved role.

          In 2017 Brown will be looked at to secure one of the starting corner back spots. It would be great if he can become the number one corner that the Cowboys need. Last year’s numbers aren’t as important when it comes to Brown because he was in his rookie season. I won’t place to much pressure on Brown in the blog, but I do expect him to have a good season.

What the Cowboys need from him: 60 tackles, 4 interceptions, 12 Pass deflects

Expected production: 60 tackles, 2 interceptions, 10 Pass deflects

5. Dez Bryant

          IN DEZ WE TRUST! Injuries have been the only thing slowing down Dez Bryant. Bryant will be the key piece to the Cowboys success. The past two seasons Dez has been battling a number of different injuries. Fortunately, for him and the Cowboys he hasn’t had any major injuries. Prior to the 2015 and 2016 seasons Dez was torching the league. He posted three straight season with a least 1000 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns. He lead the league with 16 touchdowns in 2014.

          The Cowboys have to get that 2014 Dez back. Dak will need that Dez Bryant because I believe he will give him more opportunities this season. The Cowboys have been missing the dynamic play of an outside wide receiver. They also miss his ability to catch those end zone fade routes. The return of Dez is what the Cowboys need in order to be the super bowl contending team we expect them to be.

What the Cowboys need from him: 1000 yards 10 Touchdowns

Expected production: 1300 yards, 12 touchdowns

4. La’El Collins

          Having only started 11 games for the Cowboys in his two-year career, Collins has a lot to prove. In the games, that he has played Collins has shown the ability to hold his own and be good offensive linemen. Collins was slotted at left guard the first two years of his career, but this season he may be moving outside to right tackle. The Cowboys really need Collins to hold down that right side. Tyron Smith is one of the best left tackles in the league which means he is anchoring the left side. If Collins can hold down that right side the Cowboys will have two of the better tackles in the league.

3. Rico Gathers

          Gathers is pretty high up on this list, because he has the highest upside of any player on the Cowboys team. I wanted to put Jaylon Smith here but, we aren’t sure if he will be healthy enough to play this year. Gathers was one of the Cowboys 2016 draft picks. He is a former basketball player. At 6’8” and over 270 lbs, Gathers can give the Cowboys a big time redzone threat. More importantly he could give them the potential replacement for Jason Witten.

          Gathers is more athletic than Witten but we'll have to see if he has the heart and passion for the game that Witten has. I’m not sure what Gather’s role will be but I’m excited to see what he can bring to the Cowboys this season.

What the Cowboys need form him: 500 yards, 5 Touchdowns

Expected production: 500 yards, 5 Touchdowns

2. Zeke Elliot

          Zeke had an amazing year last season. The biggest thing to take away from last season was the fact the Zeke stayed healthy and didn’t show signs of hitting a rookie wall. Zeke will only get better and this season he should have an even better year.

          Zeke shouldered the load in the rushing game last season. McFadden was hurt most of the year and Alfred Morris was inconsistent when brought in the spell Zeke. With the improvement of Dak, Zeke should be able to get some much-needed rest in games. With McFadden being healthy to start this season he will be a much better spell running back. Zeke will remind us all of how Demarco Murray use to punish defenses late in games. He should show even more patients when running in between the tackles. I also fully expect the Cowboys to use him more in the passing game.

What the Cowboys need form him: 1500 yards rushing, 10 touchdowns

Expected production: 1800 yards, 13 touchdowns rushing, 500 yards receiving, 5 touchdowns receiving

1. Dak Prescott

Everything that I’ve written to this point means absolutely nothing if Dak can’t take the next step. It all starts with the quarterback! I’m not going to dwell on Dak’s rookie season because he did everything the coaches told him to do. He protected the ball, he extended plays and he occasionally made and off scripted play. The Cowboys are going to need a lot more than that this season from Dak.

Protecting the ball is still #1 piroity, but he now has to be able to get the most of these JAG receivers. We know Dez is a beast when healthy, and Cole Beasly has shown to be a nice slot wide receiver. But Terrace Williams and Brice Butler haven’t shown anything. Williams has been here long enough and some of the drops, and not getting open has gotten old. We need to see more from Williams and it will be Dak’s job to get him involved and get his confidence going. Butler may just be skipping the line toward BUMDOM. He dropped a touchdown pass in that playoff game against the packers. Butler has made a few plays but it hasn’t been enough. I hate to put the production of these two guys on Dak, but it’s part of being an elite quarterback. If Dak wants this team to contend he is going to have to make average, wide receivers look good.

What the Cowboys need from him: 4000 yds, 25 touchdowns, 10 picks

Expected production: 45000 yards, 30 touchdowns, 10 picks