Every year following free agency and the NFL draft. During OTA’s and leading up to training camp, NFL fans get hyped about their teams chances for the upcoming season. Expectations are high and certain players absorb the lions share. Yet every single season, one or more players on any given team surprise us all and fly in under the radar. Here are 5 under the radar Dallas Cowboys players who I believe are good candidates to do exactly that.
DORANCE ARMSTRONG, DE
The Dallas Cowboys have accumulated a lot of depth at the defensive end position so it will be a challenge for Dorance Armstrong even to make the roster. Fortunately for him, he will be presented with a glorious opportunity during training camp and the pre-season. Star DE Demarcus Lawrence is recovering from offseason surgery as is former 1st round draft pick Taco Charlton, who has disappointed up to this point in his career. Additionally, Tyrone Crawford and Randy Gregory are likely both facing suspensions to start the season so the opportunity is there for the taking for Armstrong. Dorance has shown promise as a pass rusher and as per an article by Tyler Dragon of SportsDay Dallas News, Dallas Cowboys VP Stephen Jones expects him to make a big jump in this his second year. If the talented pass rusher can take advantage of his opportunity early in the year, he could secure a prominent role for himself on this defense for years to come.
CEDRICK WILSON, WR
Last season, at the start of training camp, Cedrick Wilson impressed coaches before his rookie season was cut short with an injury before it even began. This year, Wilson will have to battle it out with a suddenly very deep Dallas Cowboys wide receiver group for a shot at making the team. If he can crack the 53 man roster, and if the oft injured newly signed slot receiver Randall Cobb is forced to miss any time, Cedrick Wilson could step in as the primary slot receiver and make a significant contribution to the offense.
NOAH BROWN, WR
The Dallas Cowboys have added a ton of speed to their offense in 2019 and especially at the wide receiver position. Noah Brown does not possess high end speed but he does offer something that the other wide receivers on the roster cannot match him on….size and blocking ability. Possessing those tools may be what leads to Brown making this roster and he could potentially develop into a reliable red zone target for Dak Prescott.
JOE THOMAS, LB
Joe Thomas has become a forgotten player because the Cowboys appear to be set at the linebacker position. It seems so long ago now but during training camp and the pre-season last year, Joe Thomas was making a name for himself among Cowboys fans. After Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch exploded unto the scene, and Joe Thomas struggled with injuries, he never ended up contributing in 2018. Bringing Sean Lee back for yet another year does complicate things further for Thomas, but if Lee does once again fall victim to another injury it could open the door for him.
CHRISTIAN COVINGTION, DT
Clearly the Dallas Cowboys felt that they needed to address their defensive tackle position after giving up nearly 300 rushing yards in the playoff loss to the Rams. But, drafting Trysten Hill with their 2nd round pick was not the only move they made at the position. Prior to the draft, the Cowboys signed DT Christian Covington from the Texans. Covington will be switching from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3 defense and he will probably make the roster and rotate in at the one-technique position. This is not a position that is often appreciated by fans but it is arguably the most important position on the team. After all, winning in the trenches leads to victories in football games. Christian Covington will become the 3rd Canadian born player on the roster if he makes the team alongside Tyrone Crawford DT/DE, and L.P Ladouceur which would make the Cowboys not only “America’s Team” but “Canada’s Team” as well.
Expectations are indeed high for the Cowboys this season after making a late playoff run last season. These 5 under the radar Dallas Cowboys players are my top candidates to exceed expectations and make a significant impact in 2019.
*Photo by Kieth Allison https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/legalcode
Dragon, Tyler; Cowboys VP Stephen Jones says Connor Williams, Dorance Armstrong could show most improvement in Year 2, SportsDay Dallas News, published April 18, 2019. https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-cowboys/cowboys/2019/04/18/cowboys-vp-stephen-jones-saysconnor-williams-dorance-armstrong-could-show-improvement-year-2