2024 Dallas Cowboys Team Outlook
The Dallas Cowboys had a great 2023 regular season despite a new-look offense. After surpassing the Philadelphia Eagles and finishing atop the NFC East with a 12-5 record, the Cowboys secured the No. 2 seed in the NFC and looked poised for a Super Bowl run. That all crashed and burned on Super Wild Card Weekend when Dallas was upset by the up-and-coming Green Bay Packers.
Heading into the 2024 fantasy football season, Dallas presents a wealth of fantasy talent across multiple positions. Led by a high-powered offense and bolstered by a defense with playmaking potential, the Cowboys are poised to be a fantasy force again.
Dallas did lose some key offensive weapons, including RB Tony Pollard. However, Ezekiel Elliott agreed to a one-year deal to return to Jerry's World. The depth chart consists of Elliott, Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn, Malik Davis, and Royce Freeman. None of those options are anything to write home about although Vaughn is an intriguing prospect due to his shiftiness, ability to get low, and speed. Nonetheless, we're probably looking at a committee.
CeeDee Lamb broke out in 2023 as a top-tier wide receiver and should be a first-round fantasy selection in all formats in 2024. Lamb finished as the WR1, totaling 135 receptions on 181 targets (74.6% catch rate), 1,749 receiving yards, and 14 touchdowns. Although Lamb has plenty of other targets to compete with, he is the alpha in this offense. Without a strong running game, the offense will function through Lamb, who averaged 23.7 PPR points per game.
Lamb will line up alongside Brandin Cooks and Jalen Tolbert in three-receiver sets. Cooks finished as the WR38 in PPR formats. After developing a better rapport with Prescott in 2023, Cooks could be a sneaky target in the WR3-WR4 range. Cooks found the end zone in the last three games of the regular season and should be able to build upon that chemistry with his quarterback.
Jake Ferguson was perhaps the happiest surprise for Dallas in 2023. Ferguson will continue to improve with more opportunities and should be a top-10 fantasy option in all formats.
Prescott was phenomenal in the regular season, finishing as the QB3 behind only Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts. Prescott completed just under 70% of his throws for 4,516 yards, and he had a 36:9 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Additionally, he used his legs to find the end zone twice last season. He remains a solid second-tier fantasy signal caller.
QB Dak Prescott, DAL - Solid/Safe Pick
Prescott rebounded from a down 2022 season to complete a career-best 69.5% of his attempts and led the NFL with 36 touchdown passes. The Cowboys led the NFL in points but another early playoff exit clouds the future. For now, Prescott to CeeDee Lamb is one of the hottest stacks going, with league-winning potential. Prescott doesn't run as much as he used to but has developed into a reliable pocket passer. This year's draft should reinforce a sagging line that permitted Prescott to be sacked 42 times last season. With increased protection and a backfield in flux, Prescott has the look of a reliable fantasy option to target on draft day. ADVICE: Reliable QB1
RB Rico Dowdle, PIT - Deep-league Only
There was a brief time that Dowdle had the potential to emerge with a decent role out of the Dallas backfield. However, the signing of Ezekiel Elliott will make it difficult for Dowdle to have enough opportunities to make a fantasy impact. Despite Dallas having the league's top-scoring offense, their backfield is a mess. It wouldn't be a shock to see Dowdle get some opportunities, but the uncertainty makes him little more than a late-round flier with marginal fantasy appeal. ADVICE: Some appeal, but Dowdle is little more than a late-round flier in deeper leagues
RB Ezekiel Elliott, --- - Sleeper (undervalued)
Fantasy enthusiasts eagerly anticipated who the Cowboys would target in the draft or free agency to replace Tony Pollard. Instead, we got the reunion no fantasy manager wanted. Elliott provided solid value in New England last season after Rhamondre Stevenson was sidelined. But Elliott is a declining asset who no longer creates yards, forces misses, or can break long gainers (1 run of 15+ in 2023). He's best utilized in a part-time role. However, because the Cowboys lack depth at the position, we could see Elliott plod his way to a decent role. Particularly if he commands short-yardage work. ADVICE: Nostalgia pick with plenty of sleeper appeal and touchdown potential in an elite offense.
RB Deuce Vaughn, --- - Low Potential
ADVICE: There are rumors that Vaughn is in line for more touches, but it's hard to see such a diminutive back being effective with a big workload. However, the price is cheap, so Vaughn is a decent speculative pick on draft day.
WR CeeDee Lamb, DAL - Stud (low risk)
CeeDee Lamb continued to improve his target, catch, yards, and TD numbers until last year's breakout. The No. 1 fantasy wideout, Lamb led the league in targets and catches while running a career-best 2.78 yards per route run. It's tough to envision Lamb topping those totals but he's one of the safest best in football. Lamb is locked into the No. 1 role for a Dallas offense that led the NFL in scoring and has been top-5 for three consecutive seasons. Look for another stellar campaign with 100/1,300/8 as the floor, making Lamb a top-3 pick in all formats. ADVICE: Should be a top three pick in every league
WR Jalen Tolbert, MIA - Deep-league Only
ADVICE: Tolbert is the best bet to move into the WR3 role vacated by Michael Gallup. That gives the third-year wideout some modest value as a late-round flier in a potent offense.
