Dallas City News

Last week, we published an article discussing three potential breakout candidates for the Dallas Cowboys in 2024. Those players were Jalen Tolbert, DeMarvion Overshown, and Mazi Smith. Here are three more players who could have a big season for the team next year.

WR Brandin Cooks

When the Cowboys traded for veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks, there was a lot of excitement from the fanbase. The team had appeared to have gotten their over-the-top burner at the wide receiver position. Cooks already had six 1,000-yard seasons throughout his career in the NFL and sounded like an excellent complement to CeeDee Lamb in the Dallas offense. However, Cooks’ 657 receiving yards in 2023 was his lowest total since the 2019 season with the Los Angeles Rams.

The Prescott and Cooks connection got off to a slow start in 2023. He went the first seven games without surpassing five receptions or 50 receiving yards in a game. His breakout game came against the New York Giants in their second matchup of the season when he had nine receptions for 173 yards and a touchdown. Unfortunately, Cooks never hit the 100-yard mark in a game throughout the rest of the season.

With all that said, Cooks had some valuable plays for the Cowboys throughout the year. Even if he wasn’t as efficient for the team as he was earlier in his career, he still provided a veteran contribution to the offense.

With another offseason to get their chemistry in synch and still being the clear wide receiver two on the team, there is reason to believe Cooks can have a much better season in 2024 than he did in 2023. While Lamb had a record-setting year for the Cowboys last season, it would be good for him and the offense if Cooks can step up and be that 1,000-yard player fans are used to seeing. Sure, Cooks has had breakout seasons before, but we’re putting him in the breakout category here because we are looking for a Cowboys-specific breakout.

RB Rico Dowdle

Considering the Dallas Cowboys neglected the running back position in free agency and in the draft, there is a legitimate chance Rico Dowdle could lead the team in carries this upcoming season.

Dowdle made a name for himself last season behind RB Tony Pollard, impressing fans with his aggressive running style. In a backup role, he had 89 carries for 361 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He averaged 4.1 yards per carry throughout the year.

When the Cowboys lost Pollard to the Tennessee Titans in free agency, fans assumed they would sign a replacement in free agency or take one in the draft. Much to the surprise of everyone, the team didn’t select a running back in the 2024 draft. What the Cowboys did do was bring back fan-favorite Ezekiel Elliott.

As of now, the top two players on the running back depth chart for the team are Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle. While many are emotionally attached to Elliott, the numbers show that he struggled last year with the New England Patriots. There is plenty of opportunity for Dowdle to make the biggest impact of his career next year for the Cowboys.

WR KaVontae Turpin

KaVontae Turpin is entering his third season with the Dallas Cowboys and has still been unable to find the endzone on a kickoff or punt return in the regular season. Turpin shined in his first preseason with the team, taking a 98-yard kickoff return and an 86-yard punt return to the house against the Los Angeles Chargers. While he didn’t score in the regular season, he amassed 811 total return yards and was selected to the Pro Bowl in his first year with the team.

With the kickoff rules being changed for the 2024 season, it is hard to imagine Turpin’s scoring drought continuing this year. The new rules allow returners more of an opportunity to create space in open field. Turpin says that he hopes to be one of the best returners in NFL history.

“One of my goals is to try and make the Pro Bowl this year. I want to come out as one of the most dangerous returners in the history of the NFL. That’s what I’m going into, especially with it being my contract year. I just want to prove people wrong and that I’m still here.”

Not only will Turpin look to have his best season as a kick returner under the new kickoff format, he will look to compete for more reps in the slot position throughout the year, with the battle for WR3 very much unsettled.