RADIO
Rico Dowdle, Running Back
The Cowboys are one of the least efficient rushing teams in the league — they averaged a miserable 3.7 yards per carry as a squad entering Week 14. The team’s most talented running back is Rico Dowdle. In Week 13 he exploded for 21.3 PPR fantasy points before tallying a season-high 131 rushing yards in Week 14.
Dowdle has quietly averaged over 4.5 yards per carry in his last three games, all contests where they’ve committed to him with 18 or more carries. Those numbers came against weaker New York Giants and Cincinnati Bengals rushing defenses, but he’ll get to face the Carolina Panthers next. These remain solid opportunities to shine against weak defenses.
Dowdle will have to step up his game if he wants to keep his starting job into 2025, but given the Cowboys’ other glaring needs across the roster, spending an early draft pick on a running back might not be the best utilization of resources. He’s a free agent after this season and could earn a starter’s contract if he proves enough to dissuade them from using an early pick on a rival RB.
Cooper Rush, Quarterback
In today’s NFL, a good backup quarterback is worth their weight in gold. On the year, Rush has now completed 128 of his 216 pass attempts for 1,191 yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions.
In addition, there are several key injuries on the offense. Star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) continues to battle through a shoulder ailment that could be affecting his play.
There isn’t much depth at the skill positions. At least tight end Jake Ferguson (concussion) returned in Week 14, but the banged-up squad may make it difficult for the team to determine if Rush can be a decent backup moving forward.
KaVontae Turpin, Wide Receiver/Kick Returner
The team would be well-served to evaluate Turpin as a receiver and figure out ways to get him at least a handful of manufactured touches per game. He’s solidly the team’s lead returner, and that isn’t about to change. He’s made some plays as a WR, but with Brandin Cooks getting old and no viable options other than CeeDee Lamb to contribute consistently, perhaps they could use Turpin’s blinding speed to create mismatches.
Track star speed can be used to create big mismatches in the big show. They even deployed him as the Wildcat QB on Monday against Cincinnati. Dallas should figure out how to use their returner to help their struggling offense. A soon-to-be-lost season is the best time to do it.
Marist Liufau, Linebacker
Liufau stepped up with 1.5 sacks after entering late on Monday Night Football following DeMarvion Overshown’s knee injury. Overshown has been a revelation for the Cowboys in 2024 after missing his rookie ’23 campaign due to a torn ACL, but he reportedly needs knee surgery and is likely done for the year.
This means we’re apt to get a bunch of Liufau, a third-round pick from this year’s draft, alongside Eric Kendricks unless they want to see Damone Clark more. However, Liufau’s impact on just 23 defensive snaps against Joe Burrow should buy him first dibs on the role down the stretch. Could he prove to be another young defensive playmaker for the Cowboys to build around?
Brock Hoffman, Offensive Guard
Future Hall of Fame offensive guard Zack Martin (ankle) will have season-ending ankle surgery and won’t play another snap in 2024. He could retire after this season, considering that he’s 34 years old, and was reportedly mulling it. This would normally mark a big shift in the OL’s performance.
There are many things you can criticize the Cowboys for, but they’re able to consistently draft gems of offensive linemen and develop them well. They’ll have to find out if Hoffman can be the guy to hold things down in the trenches in place of Martin moving forward.
