As we head into training camp, the hype continues to build the Dallas Cowboys roster. The team, which added two Pro Bowl talents in CB Stephon Gilmore and WR Brandin Cooks, also had a draft that relied heavily on meeting roster needs. Now the Cowboys roster is heavily loaded, featuring talent at every level of the roster.
With so many talented players on both offense and defense, let’s take a look at the top five Cowboys roster players as they head into training camp.
5. Stefon Gilmore, CB
When the Cowboys front office was traded for CB Stephon Gilmore from Indianapolis Colts Early in the offseason, they not only cemented their CB2 position, but also secured one of the best hitting in the entire league. In his ten-year career, Gilmour has been selected to five Pro Bowls, two AP First-Team All-Pro selections, and won Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2019 when he led the league in interceptions (6).
Even though Gilmour is 32 years old, he is still a cornerback in the league. Last season with the Colts, Gilmour scored an 81.1 PFF coverage score and allowed only an 82.6 passer rating on 82 targets.
Gilmore comes up with a cowboy power-Experience gained and seasoned leadership that must positively influence the entire team. It will be a pleasure to watch him opposite CB star Trayvon Diggs next season.
4. CeeDee Lamb, WR
Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb comes in at number four on this list because of his explosiveness and consistency throughout his three years in Dallas. Since his rookie season in 2020, Lamb has improved in every key stat at the wide receiver position.
At just 24 years old, Lamb is already doing well hitting number 88 in Dallas. He has cemented himself as the number one excellent option at receiver and should only get better as his career continues.
It was Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott Praise for pregnancy At the team’s mini camp in June:
I’ll say it,” Prescott said at mini-camp this week on The Star. “Believe it. I honestly think (Lamb) is going to be the best receiver in this league.”
It will be exciting to continue to see how Lamb can advance his game in Dallas, as he nears a lucrative future contract with the team. Trading for the speedy WR Brandin Cooks should give Lamb more opportunity to grow as the team’s top goal in 2023.
3. Trayvon Diggs, CB
When it comes to influencing the field, stats show that no NFL cornerback affects the game the way Diggs did on the Cowboys. Everyone knows about a mind-boggling 11 interception season in 2021. However, Diggs managed to improve his skill set as a cornerback last season, despite only having three interceptions.
It’s easy to see why Diggs has slipped in his interception numbers from 2021 to 2022. His coverage has simply gotten better and more consistent. He was less aggressive in coverage, making fewer errors and giving up big plays in the secondary. While he may not have had flashy interceptions, he shut down several wide receivers in the league.
Considering how influential Diggs has been in the Cowboys’ secondary, it’s easy to forget that he’ll only be entering his fourth season with the team in 2023. At just 24 years old, Diggs likely won’t reach the pinnacle of his career as a coverage corner. With former DPOY Stephon Gilmour now across from him in the secondary, Diggs should be given more chances to throw down interceptions, picking up that number from last season.
It could start a big season for Diggs, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2023. He should be in line for a big payday if he continues to play the way he did in Dallas.
2. Zack Martin, RG
Zach Martin has been perfect for the Cowboys since he was drafted in 2014. Despite having many turnovers in who lines up around him, he has been a steady anchor at the right guard position for the team. In his nine-year career, he was selected to eight Pro Bowls and was selected to the AP First-Team All-Pro six times. In 2020, he missed six games on the season, as it was the only year he failed to be selected to the Pro Bowl.
Martin is also very disciplined in stopping him. He possesses one of the most mind-boggling stats in all of the NFL. In his career to date, he has more Pro Bowl selections (8) than he does with penalties (7).
Martin is a sure bet to be a first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee when his football career comes to an end. Meanwhile, he is still one of the best players in the entire league. He will be a huge reason the offense will be effective in 2023, as it has been throughout his stellar career.
1. Micah Parsons, LB/EDGE
It takes a generational talent to be higher on the list of players than Zack Martin. Micah Parsons is the talent of a generation. When the team drafted him in 2021 NFL DraftIt looked like the team had settled on it yet Carolina Panthers and the Denver Broncos He selected CB Jaycee Horn and CB Patrick Surtain II in consecutive selections.
What seemed like a disappointment to some fans at the time turned out to be a real blessing for the Cowboys. Parsons immediately proved he was the best defensive player in his class by winning the 2021 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. He had an astounding 13 sacks, the third highest by a rookie in NFL history. Parsons would almost certainly suffer some kind of decline in production the following year, a “sophomore slump” as analysts call it. Parsons answered that assumption with an even more impressive 13.5 sacks his sophomore year.
Parsons is truly a cowboy game destroyer. If he plays on the edge, he is the best pass player on the court. If he plays fullback, he’s the best player on the field. No matter where he stands on defense, he is always involved in the play, resulting in extraordinary play for the team.
Entering just his third season with the team in 2023, Parson is looking to make another leap in production. Parsons is in prime position to win his first DPOY and hopefully lead the Cowboys to the Super Bowl.