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Luke Schoonmaker Luke Schoonmaker Takes step forward in second season
Mon, Jan 13, 2025, 12:07 PM
Schoonmaker caught 27 of 36 targets for 241 yards and a touchdown over 17 regular-season games in 2024.
Analysis: The second-year tight end took a step forward with his production, and over a three-game stretch in Weeks 11-13 during which Jake Ferguson was dealing with a concussion, Schoonmaker delivered a solid 14-144-1 line on 20 targets. The Michigan product will head into 2025 in the No. 2 spot on the Dallas depth chart, but if Ferguson deals with injuries once again, Schoonmaker has shown he's capable of handling the starting job. |
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Ryan Flournoy Ryan Flournoy Gets late audition as rookie
Mon, Jan 13, 2025, 12:03 PM
Flournoy caught 10 of 14 passes for 102 yards over 11 regular-season games in 2024.
Analysis: Taken in the sixth round of the 2024 Draft as something of a developmental project, Flournoy didn't make his NFL debut until Week 5. The Southeast Missouri State product saw half of his 14 targets over the final three games while CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) was in the process of being shut down for the season, and Flournoy made a modest impact with a 6-58-0 line. He'll head into 2025 competing for depth snaps at WR with the likes of Jalen Brooks and Jonathan Mingo. |
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Jalen Brooks Jalen Brooks Minimal role again in 2024
Mon, Jan 13, 2025, 11:57 AM
Brooks caught only 12 of 30 targets for 177 yards and a touchdown over 14 regular-season games in 2024.
Analysis: The second-year wideout was only charged with one drop officially, but his poor catch rate is still concerning. Brooks made more than one catch in only one 2024 game, posting a 2-26-0 line on five targets in Week 9 against the Falcons, and while he did haul in his first career TD in Week 15, his role didn't increase over the final couple games of the season while CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) was shut down. Brandin Cooks will be a free agent this offseason, but even if the Cowboys don't bring in additional help for Lamb and Jalen Tolbert at the top of the depth chart, Brooks may head into 2025 behind the likes of Jonathan Mingo and Ryan Flournoy for depth snaps at WR. |
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Hunter Luepke Hunter Luepke Sees increased role as receiver
Mon, Jan 13, 2025, 11:51 AM
Luepke carried the ball 12 times for 38 yards and caught 12 of 16 targets for 111 yards over 16 regular-season games in 2024.
Analysis: The second-year fullback saw more snaps on offense (304) than he did on special teams (170), a reversal of his usage as a rookie. Luepke didn't get many touches, but he did flash some ability as a pass catcher when called upon and set career highs in receptions and receiving yards. With the Dallas backfield in flux once again as Rico Dowdle heads into free agency, Luepke could see his touch volume increase once again in 2025, but he's still very unlikely to be much of a fantasy asset. |
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Malik Davis Malik Davis Staying in Dallas
Thu, Jan 9, 2025, 5:37 PM
The Cowboys signed Davis to a reserve/future contract Thursday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Analysis: Davis spent the entire 2024 regular season on the Cowboys' practice squad after failing to make the 53-man roster at the end of training camp in late August. He wasn't elevated to the active roster for a single game, but he'll stick around in Dallas and participate in offseason training programs to compete for a roster spot for the 2025 campaign. |
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Jalen Cropper Jalen Cropper Inks reserve/future deal with DAL
Mon, Jan 6, 2025, 6:52 PM
The Cowboys signed Moreno-Cropper to a reserve/future contract Monday.
Analysis: Moreno-Cropper originally signed with Dallas as an undrafted free agent in April of 2023. He's spent most of his time since on the team's practice squad, though he's gotten one elevation -- in Week 10 this season, he made his NFL debut and played 12 offensive snaps along with three special teams snaps against Philadelphia without recording any other stats. Moreno-Cropper is now set to be part of the Dallas organization through the offseason and will try to earn a roster spot during training camp next summer. |
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Jake Ferguson Jake Ferguson Quiet end to season
Mon, Jan 6, 2025, 10:57 AM
Ferguson caught two of four targets for 12 yards in Sunday's loss to the Commanders.
Analysis: The third-year tight end had a quiet end to a disappointing season, failing to top 40 receiving yards or score a TD in any of his last seven appearances dating back to Week 10. Ferguson dealt with injuries in 2024 but also was a victim of a loss effectiveness for the Cowboys offense, particularly after Dak Prescott (hamstring) was lost for the season. After posting a 71-761-5 line during a breakout 2023, Ferguson slid back to 59 catches (on 86 targets) for 494 yards and zero touchdowns in 2024. He currently has one year left on his rookie contract, which should ensure he heads into next season at the top of the depth chart, but Luke Schoonmaker could take on a bigger role as a pass catcher and cut into Ferguson's volume in 2025. |
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Jonathan Mingo Jonathan Mingo Two catches in Week 18 loss
Mon, Jan 6, 2025, 10:52 AM
Mingo caught both his targets for 24 yards in Sunday's loss to the Commanders.
Analysis: It's the first time in eight games for the Cowboys that Mingo caught multiple passes. A second-round pick of the Panthers in 2023, the Ole Miss product has struggled in the NFL so far, and he managed just a 17-167-0 line on 42 targets as a second-year pro over 17 appearances between Carolina and Dallas. Even on an affordable rookie contract, there's little reason to think Mingo will have a significant role in the Cowboys' passing game in 2025. |
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KaVontae Turpin KaVontae Turpin Three grabs in Sunday's loss
Mon, Jan 6, 2025, 10:48 AM
Turpin caught three of five targets for 53 yards, gained five rushing yards on his only carry and added 32 return yards in Sunday's loss to the Commanders.
Analysis: The versatile third-year wideout hauled in multiple passes for the first time since Week 13. Turpin took on a slightly bigger role in the Cowboys offense down the stretch with CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) on the shelf, but his primary value to Dallas comes on special teams. The 28-year-old is one of the league's elite return men, leading the NFL with 904 kickoff return yards in 2024, and Turpin was the only player to score a TD on both a punt and a kickoff return this season. He'll be a restricted free agent this offseason. |
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Deuce Vaughn Deuce Vaughn Season-high six carries in Week 18
Mon, Jan 6, 2025, 10:42 AM
Vaughn carried the ball six times for 37 yards in Sunday's 23-19 loss to the Commanders.
Analysis: In a meaningless game for the Cowboys, Vaughn saw a season-high workload and delivered a career high in rushing yards. The 2023 sixth-round pick appeared in only seven games this season and managed just 88 yards from scrimmage on 20 touches, once again serving as a depth option in the backfield. Rico Dowdle will be a free agent this offseason and may have priced himself out of Dallas' plans with a strong campaign, but it's highly unlikely Vaughn will head into 2025 at the top of the depth chart. |
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Brandin Cooks Brandin Cooks Quiet in season finale
Sun, Jan 5, 2025, 4:25 PM
Cooks caught three of nine targets for 15 yards and rushed once for minus-5 yards in Sunday's 23-19 loss to the Commanders.
Analysis: Cooks struggled to get on the same page with third-string quarterback Trey Lance, who started the season finale. The 31-year-old wideout had his campaign derailed by an IR stint due to a knee injury, finishing with just 26 catches for 259 yards and three touchdowns on 54 targets. Cooks will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. |
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Jalen Tolbert Jalen Tolbert Career-high 98 yards in Week 18
Sun, Jan 5, 2025, 4:25 PM
Tolbert caught four of six targets for 98 yards in Sunday's 23-19 loss to the Commanders.
Analysis: Tolbert showed nice chemistry with Trey Lance, who got the start under center for the season finale. The 25-year-old wide receiver set a single-game career high in receiving yards to finish his third NFL season on a high note. After setting career highs across the board with 49 catches for 610 yards and seven touchdowns on 79 targets in 2024, Tolbert will likely reprise his role as a depth option in a receiving corps led by CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) in 2025. |
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Trey Lance Trey Lance No TDs or turnovers in spot start
Sun, Jan 5, 2025, 4:24 PM
Lance completed 20 of 34 passes for 244 yards while rushing six times for 26 yards in Sunday's 23-19 loss to the Commanders.
Analysis: Making his first regular-season start since Week 2 of the 2022 season with the 49ers, Lance came out hot, producing back-to-back completions over 30 yards to Jalen Tolbert and KaVontae Turpin to set up a field goal on the first drive. Lance continued to move the offense well and didn't turn the ball over, but the Cowboys frequently stalled in scoring range, settling for four field goals prior to a two-yard Rico Dowdle rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter. The third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft remains under contract with Dallas in 2025, but he's unlikely to challenge for the starting role if Dak Prescott (hamstring) makes a full recovery. |
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Rico Dowdle Rico Dowdle Finishes season strong
Sun, Jan 5, 2025, 4:16 PM
Dowdle rushed 22 times for 72 yards and a touchdown while catching two of three targets for 12 yards in Sunday's 23-19 loss to the Commanders.
Analysis: Dowdle's two-yard rushing touchdown with 7:02 remaining in the fourth quarter gave the Cowboys a 19-16 lead, but the Commanders responded with a game-winning touchdown in the final seconds. The pending unrestricted free agent bolstered his value with a strong stretch run, as Dowdle compiled 591 rushing yards and two touchdowns over the last six games. Overall, Dowdle recorded 235 carries for 1,079 yards and two touchdowns while catching 39 of 49 targets for 249 yards and three touchdowns in this breakout season. If the Cowboys bring Dowdle back, they will likely look to bolster their backfield further via the draft or free agency. |
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Cooper Rush Cooper Rush Serving as backup in Week 18
Sun, Jan 5, 2025, 11:03 AM
Rush will serve as the backup quarterback to Trey Lance in Sunday's game against the Commanders.
Analysis: Rush has served as the starting quarterback for the Cowboys since Week 11 with Dak Prescott (hamstring) sidelined. While inconsistent, Rush managed a 12:4 TD:INT across nine games while averaging only 6.1 yards per attempt. The decision to start Lance on Sunday likely has more to do with giving him an extended chance to play rather than a true benching of Rush, but Rush will find himself as the Cowboys' No. 2 quarterback to close out the campaign in any case. |
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Trey Lance Trey Lance Drawing Week 18 start
Sun, Jan 5, 2025, 10:47 AM
Lance will start at quarterback in Sunday's game against Washington, Jane Slater of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: The Cowboys haven't made an official announcement on a Week 18 starter, but Tommy Yarrish of the team's official web site relays that Lance was seen taking some first-team snaps in warmups. Slater's report adds further credence to the notion that the Cowboys will turn the offense over to Lance, even though Cooper Rush is active after starting each of the last eight games. It's possible that Rush will end up seeing some snaps off the bench, but the likelihood that Lance sees the majority -- if not all -- of the playing time under center puts him on the radar as a lineup option in both DFS and season-long leagues that are still active in Week 18. Lance hasn't displayed much aptitude as a passer during his time in the NFL, but he's been a willing and productive rusher. |
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Cooper Rush Cooper Rush May yield reps to Lance in Week 18
Fri, Jan 3, 2025, 6:54 PM
Rush may start Sunday's game versus the Commanders, but backup QB Trey Lance is expected to earn "significant" snaps as well, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Rush has taken on the vast majority of QB reps since Dak Prescott (hamstring) was lost for the season in the second half of a Week 9 loss in Atlanta. In parts of nine games in the interim, Rush has completed 60.5 percent of his passes, averaged 199.1 yards per game and put together a 12:4 TD:INT. He's also notched 17 yards on 24 carries and fumbled nine times (three lost). With the Cowboys out of the playoff picture, it appears the team wants to see what Lance can do with more than the three brief appearances he's made so far this season, but it's also unclear how much he'll eat into Rush's typical workload. |
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Trey Lance Trey Lance In line for work in Week 18
Fri, Jan 3, 2025, 6:46 PM
Lance is expected to see "significant" snaps during Sunday's season finale against the Commanders, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Even with No. 1 QB Dak Prescott sidelined since he suffered a season-ending hamstring injury Week 9, Cooper Rush has handled just about all the reps under center in the meantime, while Lance has completed five of seven passes for 22 yards, no touchdowns and an interception and recorded five carries for 15 yards in three mostly brief appearances. Rapoport also noted that Rush still may start Week 18, but Lance should receive plenty of run to see how he handles extended game action. The breakdown of reps between Rush and Lance hasn't been made clear, though, so it remains to be seen what kind of workload either player will have Sunday. |
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Jalen Brooks Jalen Brooks One catch against Eagles
Tue, Dec 31, 2024, 5:15 PM
Brooks caught his lone target for 12 yards in Sunday's 41-7 loss to the Eagles.
Analysis: Brooks was not a major part of the Cowboys offensive plans Sunday, playing just 13 offensive snaps and earning one target. The second-year wideout should continue to handle a small role in the Cowboys' offense heading into a Week 18 matchup against the Commanders. With nothing to play for, however, it's possible that Dallas' coaching staff may want to get a better look at some of their young talent ahead of the offseason. |
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KaVontae Turpin KaVontae Turpin Three touches against Philly
Mon, Dec 30, 2024, 4:29 PM
Turpin caught one of four targets for 16 yards and gained 18 yards on two carries in Sunday's loss to the Eagles. He also added 48 yards on two kickoff returns.
Analysis: The star returner leads the NFL with 874 kickoff return yards and 1,060 combined kickoff and punt return yards, and he's the only player in the league to score a touchdown on each kind of return. Turpin didn't see his usage as a receiver increase significantly in Week 17, however, even with CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) done for the season, and the 28-year-old hasn't caught more than one pass in a game since Week 13. Turpin's role may not change much in Week 18 against the Commanders, but if the Cowboys do decide to rest starters, he's more likely to be among the players to sit than to benefit. |
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